I have been wearing shrink-to-fit Levi's 501s since the 1960s and my technique for shrinking my 501s is I first wash them and then I dry them. Wearing them in the tub might make your skin blue.
Wear inner pant to protect from dying on the skin 😂 I thought you only need to wear it when it is being dry because the drying process will conform to your body right?
next time, steam them till moist while wearing them, walk around till on the drier side, repeat as wanted / needed. that won't make so much indigo bleed out.
Totally unnecessary to wear them to shrink these pants, just washed regular and depending how much shrinkage you need used warm or cold water, again there’s not need to wear them to shrink them .
The shrinking happens regardless but your body in the pants will add resistance to the shrinking in the areas not needing shrinking . Or is that bullshit
lol ive never soaked while wearing. it seems too tedious and messy. i soak my LVC in the hottest water out of the tap for like 20 to 30 mins, then give it another quick wash in the washing machine
So i have about 2 dozen pairs of shrink to fit Levi’s 501’s that i haven’t used since high school (2010) & i just found out about this process! My pants are all 36x32 but i am now a size 34x30. Do you think this method you used would work for my used jeans? Im just wondering if the waist would shrink enough if i was to use your method or if i should try washing a pair in hot water in the washer to purposefully shrink to my size now, i don’t want to ruin my old Levi’s so any great tips would help before i try anything & ruin them 😂 thanks.
The method I've used for shrinking 501 STF's in the past is to wash Permanent Press with a full load of clothes to get adequate shrinking and then put them in the dryer with full load of clothes for about 5 to 8 minutes. I then would interrupt the fully loaded dryer, take out the pants still slightly damp but warmed and then wear around the house for an hour to an hour and a half; do squats and sit etc. After doing that, I'd take them off, turn inside out and get the seams as evenly spread as possible and proceed to hang dry. The next day or later in the evening, I simply would take the jeans down, iron inside out and then iron right side out using aerosol spray starch, but a pillowcase on top of the jeans to prevent staining or damage to the denim. Once complete, I'd have a more or less fitted jean with that sharp rigid texture and look that makes STF's stand out. It's been years now since I've done all that. I've long since become a fan of Wrangler® jeans.
Would love to know ur thoughts about buying a new pair of levis 501? are they durable like the ones released decades ago? and if u were to buy one would u consider a light gray color a good purchase?
I would say it depends on the person. I really like my 1954 and my 1971. I would say the most talked about are the 1955 and 1957. But both are more of a wide fit.
Cool thanks by the way I just did this today to original 501 raw denim still wearing them lol I like the cool mode when your underwear‘s are wet and the jeans start drying lol feeing fresh👍
man those are excellent fit. i got my 1966 lvc to look that way but a tiny bit looser i might give it a second soak during summer to get the full shrink
I did start by soaking them in the bathtub . The waist shrunk about an inch but the Linth did not, so Mine were too long I put them in a washer with worm water , I dried them in the dryer and the legs actually shrunk up 2 inches
Dude, you don’t have to wear them. Just turn em inside out and soak them. Especially with selvedge or raw denim. All that nasty starch and gunk just soaked on you.
@@JamesHerlihy if you size up 2 inches in the waist, you will be fine. They will never shrink smaller your waist. It makes no difference to the end result. Also it means you can start a new pair any time of year.
@@JamesHerlihy If you size them correctly, they’ll fit. I bought some 501’s for the first time in years, and my first pair of selvedge jeans. I watched some TH-cam denim videos. They fit fine. You just gotta make sure you size correctly. Watch Cee R Dee and Carl Murawski for more info.
@@andy86i actually with lvc there is never the need to size up 2. as long as u can comfortably do up the top button without breathing in it's ok they will simply stretch out with wear but leg length never comes back, but if you struggle to do the top button then u need to size up one. the only reason u would size up 2 is if you have super big thighs or after the baggy look the way farmers wore their jeans back in the days.
Those jeans are far too tight for you, you chose the wrong size. All Levis STF shrink 3" on the leg and 2" on the waist, you should just have thrown them in the washing machine?
You are straight up silly bro!! I laughed sooo hard watching this. I honestly thought this was a comedy skit for a minute. I wish i had your kind of time on my hands to do unnecessary stuff like this and record it haha.
I have been wearing shrink-to-fit Levi's 501s since the 1960s and my technique for shrinking my 501s is I first wash them and then I dry them. Wearing them in the tub might make your skin blue.
💯 agree! Sometimes that's fun tho
Wear inner pant to protect from dying on the skin 😂
I thought you only need to wear it when it is being dry because the drying process will conform to your body right?
Totally second that. Commando is key when doing the bathtub shrinking ritual. Feels great, too!
Good video. When I did this I stained everything I sat down on and/or touched during the process.
Same!!! My fiancé freaked and made me sit on the plastic chair.
Why don’t you wear an inner pant
Such a thorough video.
thank you! wearing them right now!
When I did this, after the initial soak, I got them much dryer - just damp, actually - putting them through the washer's 'spin' cycle at top speed.
Nice!! Glad it worked out.
i just lay them flat in the tub for 20 mins filled with warm water then hang dry. they shrink more this way. the waist will stretch back.
next time, steam them till moist while wearing them, walk around till on the drier side, repeat as wanted / needed. that won't make so much indigo bleed out.
Good to know. Thank you.
Where do you find those old levis?
These aren't old they are repro of old jeans. If you're looking for true vintage I would go eBay or a vintage sight
Needed this video ✊🏽
Thanks bro! It was an interesting process!
Nice job. I agree with soaking while wearing. Did your hold foil wear off naturally or did you rip it?
Thank you. Wore off naturally.
Nice haircut ,, looking fabulous
Thanks ma.
Totally unnecessary to wear them to shrink these pants, just washed regular and depending how much shrinkage you need used warm or cold water, again there’s not need to wear them to shrink them .
The shrinking happens regardless but your body in the pants will add resistance to the shrinking in the areas not needing shrinking . Or is that bullshit
lol ive never soaked while wearing. it seems too tedious and messy. i soak my LVC in the hottest water out of the tap for like 20 to 30 mins, then give it another quick wash in the washing machine
wasn't to bad, plus I like the custom fit of it being tight in areas I wanted it tight and loose in others.
So i have about 2 dozen pairs of shrink to fit Levi’s 501’s that i haven’t used since high school (2010) & i just found out about this process! My pants are all 36x32 but i am now a size 34x30. Do you think this method you used would work for my used jeans? Im just wondering if the waist would shrink enough if i was to use your method or if i should try washing a pair in hot water in the washer to purposefully shrink to my size now, i don’t want to ruin my old Levi’s so any great tips would help before i try anything & ruin them 😂 thanks.
For sure they should shrink!
Mane I bought mine str8 out the store and wore em like they were I never wanted that shrink look
I feel you.
I just got my 501s and I’m sitting in some wet pants now 😅 not so fun but excited for the end result! Any advice on the tub staining? 😅😅
Good luck dude.
Get a plastic cover for the tub and pour water on top
The method I've used for shrinking 501 STF's in the past is to wash Permanent Press with a full load of clothes to get adequate shrinking and then put them in the dryer with full load of clothes for about 5 to 8 minutes. I then would interrupt the fully loaded dryer, take out the pants still slightly damp but warmed and then wear around the house for an hour to an hour and a half; do squats and sit etc. After doing that, I'd take them off, turn inside out and get the seams as evenly spread as possible and proceed to hang dry. The next day or later in the evening, I simply would take the jeans down, iron inside out and then iron right side out using aerosol spray starch, but a pillowcase on top of the jeans to prevent staining or damage to the denim. Once complete, I'd have a more or less fitted jean with that sharp rigid texture and look that makes STF's stand out. It's been years now since I've done all that. I've long since become a fan of Wrangler® jeans.
Good to know appreciate the insight!
you have to go commando when you do shrink to fit to get the best fit
Good call, I’ll try that next time.
@@JamesHerlihy trust it works….underwear throws the fit off ever so slightly but definitely enough to notice
Totally second that, commando is key when doing the bathtub shrinking ritual. Feels great, too...
Bathtub shrinking ritual? This doesn't make any sense to me. How is it different from placing them in a hanger or putting them in the dryer.
What up bro this Zay can you post a video on your designer shoes I just got a pair of Rick Owens today 😂😂😂
What's up bro! I'll do my best!
Would love to know ur thoughts about buying a new pair of levis 501? are they durable like the ones released decades ago?
and if u were to buy one would u consider a light gray color a good purchase?
I don't think quality is the same as the made in USA stuff. I personally would keep it classic with blue or black
What year is Levi’s best 501 I heard it was 1955 🤷♂️
I would say it depends on the person. I really like my 1954 and my 1971. I would say the most talked about are the 1955 and 1957. But both are more of a wide fit.
Cool thanks by the way I just did this today to original 501 raw denim still wearing them lol I like the cool mode when your underwear‘s are wet and the jeans start drying lol feeing fresh👍
I just picked up some 1967 505 Levi’s today. can’t wait to start breaking those in.👍
man those are excellent fit. i got my 1966 lvc to look that way but a tiny bit looser i might give it a second soak during summer to get the full shrink
That’s great! Let me know how it goes
I did start by soaking them in the bathtub . The waist shrunk about an inch but the
Linth did not, so Mine were too long I put them in a washer with worm water , I dried them in the dryer and the legs actually shrunk up 2 inches
It’s pretty cool to see the change
Love your hair
Thank you!
What are the mules you are wearing at the end?
They’re Birkenstock Boston’s. The skeleton part was done by an artist his Instagram is @notionforyou
How much did you size up in the waist for this, if at all?
I went up one size. For me it’s depends on the year of the pant. The 1944 are huge on me at a34 waist but the 1954 fit perfect
If you don't mind me asking, what is your height and weight?
For sure. I’m on the short side. 5.8 175
Dude, you don’t have to wear them. Just turn em inside out and soak them. Especially with selvedge or raw denim. All that nasty starch and gunk just soaked on you.
Interesting. Won’t they become to small in the waist? They why you wear them so they shrink to fit?
@@JamesHerlihy if you size up 2 inches in the waist, you will be fine. They will never shrink smaller your waist. It makes no difference to the end result. Also it means you can start a new pair any time of year.
@@andy86i good to know. These were pretty close to my true size.
@@JamesHerlihy
If you size them correctly, they’ll fit.
I bought some 501’s for the first time in years, and my first pair of selvedge jeans. I watched some TH-cam denim videos. They fit fine. You just gotta make sure you size correctly. Watch Cee R Dee and Carl Murawski for more info.
@@andy86i actually with lvc there is never the need to size up 2. as long as u can comfortably do up the top button without breathing in it's ok they will simply stretch out with wear but leg length never comes back, but if you struggle to do the top button then u need to size up one. the only reason u would size up 2 is if you have super big thighs or after the baggy look the way farmers wore their jeans back in the days.
My dad said what up bro 😎
What's up James!
A jacuzzi and a brunette are a way more fun way of doing this 🤷🏼♂️🤠
Hahahaj. I’ll give it a try. I have the brunette just need the jacuzzi
These jeans made in Japan because they are looking good
Cone Mills, not Cones Mill
Thank you!
💚😘
*2017
They stop producing in 2005 and went out of business in 2017 thanks for the correction!
Those jeans are far too tight for you, you chose the wrong size. All Levis STF shrink 3" on the leg and 2" on the waist, you should just have thrown them in the washing machine?
Good to know!
You are straight up silly bro!! I laughed sooo hard watching this. I honestly thought this was a comedy skit for a minute. I wish i had your kind of time on my hands to do unnecessary stuff like this and record it haha.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.
I can't stand skinny pants so this pants is a no-go
Nice
Your fiancé is going to have an issue with you leaving the toilet seat up bro
🤣🤣🤣 I need a little more house training.
@@JamesHerlihy ✌️😂
Stressful 😂😂😂😂😶
Thanks!
So informational James 👖
Love your channel
💚😘