Vintage Levi’s sizing

[The90swereadecadeago]

Please can someone shed some light on the absolute minefield that is the sizing of vintage Levi’s.

I’m either being astronomically dense or completely misunderstanding something here (both very likely at the moment).

I want to buy a pair of vintage Levi’s (obviously) straight leg - 501s possibly but still looking around.

Of course with ‘that which we shall not name’ still keeping us from real life I can’t try any on and so, with the guidance of some YT influencers, I’ve been looking on eBay... but here’s the thing, apparently vintage sizes are not the same as current sizes. How can this be?

Now, I understand numbered sizes like a 12 being bigger these days but surely if you’re a 28” waist you can fit into 28” waist vintage Levi’s, but apparently not.

Can someone explain, surely an inch is an inch?

Also, I know I’m buying clothes in a pandemic and no I have nowhere to go outside of muddy walks every day, but also I want to treat myself because.. pandemic, also I’m worth it etc

I wore size 28 levis as a teen in the 90s I was absolutely tiny! I also wore a size 12 school skirt from topshop. I had a 25 inch waist back then.

I know that's not much much help , but if you ask for measurements of garments that will definitely help when buying.

I think a lot of it about the rigidity of the fabric used fwiw. There's a lot more give in modern denim.

I think it's partly the denim in vintage 501s wasn't pre shrunk, so if you measure a pair labelled (say) 31" waist, it wouldn't actually measure 31" (same for length as well as the waist measurement). Plus, the vintage ones are men's sizing and cuts - so not cut for hips etc etc

I LOVE my vintage 501s. I bought a 32 inch waist when I'm usually a 12/30 inch. I bought them after a thread on here, I'll have a look for it for you.

Levi 501s http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/styleandd_beauty/4004242-levi-501s

Also bought a pair of vintage after the same thread... also love them!

I've just ordered some , in a curvy size 10 and the 30 were too small and 32 too big so I've re ordered 31.. where are you buying them from!?

The problem is where they sit, lower than the natural waist, so your actual waist measurement is less relevant than your high hip measurement.
When I wore 28' Levi's I was an old size 10 with a 24' actual waist.
There is also no give in them which doesn't help.

I'm a 27 inch waist, I have "30inch" pair of vintage shorts that are "snug"

Sorry for the lack of replies have been quite ill. Will catch up now

Thanks @JofraArchersFastestBall I’ll check that link out now.

Thanks everyone, it looks like I need to go a few inches more than my actual waist size. I think I will wait until we can try on jeans again as the thought of returning endless jeans fills me with dread - and I probably wouldn’t be able to return them on eBay anyhow.

I wore "men's" 30" levi 501s as a teenager in the 1970s. I was really bloody slim. A size 10 then, maybe an 8 now?

After I washed and dried them I had to lie on my bed and wriggle into them, and then would struggle to zip up and fasten them, then I'd sort of lever myself into a standing position and walk around with robotic legs for a bit

I bought a pair from Ebay off the back of this thread and I love them! I'm a 12 and I got a 33 waist which fits well, they're like a boyfriend fit. I'm getting more, the denim is very soft.

I thought you had to buy your hip size in “waist”. I remember having 32” and 34” Levi’s when I was a size 10.

Back in the 1970s, I was a size 12 with a 26" waist and I had a pair of 28" waist flared Levis. I'm currently a modern size 10 which I think back in the 70s would equate to a size 14.

In current waist sizes - Topshop etc - I buy a 30

@Boogiewoody Did you buy men's 501s in a 33?

I don't know l, the advert said mens women's. They have a button fly if that makes any difference.they have a great holding in effect

Thanks! I've dithered so much over sizes but think I need a 31/30 (27 usually in jeans, 28 in Topshop).

@SorrelForbes yeah I think the rule is 3-4 inches above your normal size.

Also they're really long. I'm 5'7 and they trailon the ground so maybe they are men's. I've rolled them up but I think I'm going to chop them

@Boogiewoody I've ordered 31W, 30L. I'm only 5'3" so I have a feeling I'll still need to alter them

@Boogiewoody

Also they're really long. I'm 5'7 and they trailon the ground so maybe they are men's. I've rolled them up but I think I'm going to chop them

That's why 1970s wedge platforms were invented

I love wedges but for some reason I find them difficult to wear. I always fall off!

This will help with sizing....

www.imparfaiteparis.com/en/jean-levis-501-calculator/

You choose your trouser size (it’s in French/US sizing, but for reference FR38/US 6 is a UK10)

It helps you choose the fit too!