Black Levi 501 Jeans

Grumpy_chap

The jeans are not tight.  It is possible I caught them on something, but I can't think what.

I was more wondering whether it was the "old stock" part than the "grey import" part.  All the washing labels were in Fahrenheit so it suggests an original market outside Europe and North America was the most obvious, given the product.  The shop that I purchased from is a major UK supermarket so I expected genuine product.

As to Levi having different quality for different markets, are Levi 501's not a global product and global brand?  Massive amounts of money gets spent protecting brand and to risk that through variations in global quality seems a risk.  There can't be any market where ripped first time is promoting the brand.

I might try to borrow my Mum's sewing machine and stitch them up.  These jeans could become so "pre-stressed" as to be "vintage" and fashionable.

Grumpy_chap

I stitched up the tear in the ripped jeans and they will do for gardening.  Lesson learned that buying cheap is not always best - these were from a major UK Supermarket at £45.

"Proper" price from Levi £95.  I doubt many people actually pay that as even the website has a pop-up to save £10.

Last weekend I was in Wembley and the Levi store had an offer "two pairs for £110" which I took advantage of.  That works out at £55 per pair, so not much more than the unofficial supply route.

Brie

Was the rip across your butt or up one cheek?  Or on the seam?  

Across would suggest you caught it on something.  Up might suggest you stretched the fabric too far when you put both hands in your pockets.  The seam suggests a fault, too little fabric caught up in the seam.

I hope when you stitched them you backed the patching with a red bandana.  that's the only ways jeans should be repaired.

fyi - the fahrenheit bit may suggest they were intended for the USA who remain non metric in oh too many ways.

Grumpy_chap

Brie said:

Was the rip across your butt or up one cheek?  Or on the seam? 

Across.  Just above the pocket.

Rosa_Damascena

Grumpy_chap said:

I stitched up the tear in the ripped jeans and they will do for gardening.  Lesson learned that buying cheap is not always best - these were from a major UK Supermarket at £45.

"Proper" price from Levi £95.  I doubt many people actually pay that as even the website has a pop-up to save £10.

Last weekend I was in Wembley and the Levi store had an offer "two pairs for £110" which I took advantage of.  That works out at £55 per pair, so not much more than the unofficial supply route.

I too wear jeans for gardening / manual work around the house. The difference is that mine come from the chazzer and cost me no more than £3 max, and would be acceptable to step outside the door in.

It doesn't matter what level my income is, I'd be cross to spend as much as the OP did on a single garment and be unable to wear it 20 years on.

Grumpy_chap

I can assure you that the OP is equally cross at a pair of jeans torn on first wearing - use in the garden is the only recovery...