Jeans wouldn’t be here without Levi’s, and if its founders were around today, they would surely be proud to see their creation become a timeless classic.
But why did Levi’s start making jeans in the first place? And what is it about Levi’s that makes them so special, anyway?
Keep reading to learn all about Levi’s and the fascinating facts surrounding this iconic denim jeans brand!
Levi’s was founded in San Francisco in 1853 by German immigrant Levi Strauss. The brand initially sold dry goods before Levi and tailor Jacob Davis invented and sold durable denim jeans for manual labor workers, like miners, in 1873.
Denim jeans were initially referred to as “waist overalls” by the founders of Levi’s.
Every year on May 20, Levi’s celebrates “501 Day” to commemorate the brand’s patent for its first denim jeans, the 501 jeans, which was granted in 1873.
One of the unique traits of Levi’s jeans was the copper rivets, which prevented the jeans from ripping. Rivets are still seen on Levi’s jeans today, but they’re primarily for looks, thanks to modern sewing techniques.
In 1936, Levi’s added a red tab to the back pocket of its jeans, distinguishing its products from competitors who had begun producing similar blue jeans.
Levi’s became popular worldwide thanks to WWII, as members of the US military wore them while stationed overseas. Civilians around the world saw the iconic blue jeans and wanted a pair of their own!
The NFL 49ers’ home stadium is the Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, California. It has a seating capacity of 68,500 and has hosted major events, such as WWE’s Wrestlemania 31 and Super Bowl 50.
Before 1922, jeans were held up by suspenders. That all changed, though, when Levi’s became the first brand to include belt loops in its 501 jeans.
The double-arched stitched patterns on the back pockets of Levi’s jeans are called arcuates. They’re not just decorative, too, as they help keep the pocket’s lining in place.
Levi’s was called the “Two Horse Brand” up until 1928. Their logo matched their name, depicting two horses trying (and failing) to pull apart a pair of their jeans.
In 1934, Levi’s launched Lady Levi’s jeans, expanding its customer base. It wasn’t until 1981 that Levi’s finally created a women’s version of the classic 501 jeans.
Levi’s has been a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS since 1982, pioneering workplace education, policy change, and global advocacy efforts.
The original 501 jeans featured four pockets: two in front, one in the back, and a small pocket on the right front. A second back pocket was then added in 1901.
If you’ve ever wondered what the small “fifth” pocket of your Levi’s was for, wonder no more – it was designed to hold a pocket watch!
A Levi’s brown Cossack jacket owned by Albert Einstein was auctioned in 2016 for a staggering £110,500, or $146,744.
Copper rivets in Levi’s jeans scratched furniture and saddles, leading to hidden rivets in 1937. Due to discomfort, though, they were later phased out in the mid-1960s and replaced with bartacks, a type of reinforced stitch.
In 2011, Levi’s developed techniques for making jeans with less water to become a more sustainable brand. This allowed Levi’s to produce high-quality jeans while saving and recycling billions of liters of water!
In 2013, two pairs of Levi’s jeans were sold at the same auction house: one worn by Mark Hamill in Star Wars for $36,100 and another worn by Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain for $21,013.
Google and Levi’s collaborated in 2019 to create the Jacquard-enabled smart jacket. These unique jackets came with Google’s Jacquard dongle, which allowed wearers to interact with their smartphones with taps or swipes on the jacket’s cuff.
Justin Timberlake and Levi’s collaborated in 2018 to create the Fresh Leaves collection, modernizing classic pieces like denim jackets by using new techniques like laser printing.
In 2023, a pair of Levi’s jeans worn by Nirvana’s lead vocalist Kurt Cobain (as seen in the music video of Heart-shaped Box) was auctioned for a whopping $412,750! The jeans were ripped, had patches, and colorful cuffs.
Levi’s has been creating jeans since 1873, offering timeless clothing that has transcended trends and generations.
While there are countless denim jean brands worldwide today, Levi’s remains a leader in the industry.
It’s because what sets Levi’s apart, beyond their enduring quality, is the rich story behind their jeans.
So, when you enter one of their stores, keep these things in mind and maybe consider buying a new pair of Levi’s jeans!
