Levi’s Vintage Clothing turns its 501s inside out

Following Vivienne Westwood’s collaboration with Levi’s 501, the world’s most famous denim brand has just reissued the 501 Inside Out jean.

One of the biggest curiosities in the Levis archive in San Francisco is the well-known 501 Inside Out jean. Customised in the 1960s, it is a standard 501 jean but turned inside out, meaning that the inside of the denim is visible on the outside and the characteristic dark indigo blue shade remains on the inside.

Rumour has it that this piece was created for a Levi’s executive who gave it to a fishing colleague in Oregon. Whether this is true or not, the brand has decided to reproduce this archival piece within its Vintage Clothing line, with the release of the Levis Inside-Out 501.

The reissue features all the details of the classic 1963 model: straight leg, Two-Horse backpatch and Red Tab. The only difference to the original 501 jean is that the new edition is made from traditional Cone Mills White Oak denim.

The new 501s will be limited to 501 units and available from 20 May, the 149th anniversary of the 501.