Levi’s 514 Jeans
True American Heritage
(14)By Gear Patrol Reader Matthew Swaggart:
The other day, my buddy called a local Saks Fifth Avenue store and asked if they carried Levi’s Capital E brand jeans. The salesman quipped, “Levi’s! No, we don’t carry Levi’s.” His tone was overtly snarky, to which my buddy replied with a few choice words and hung up the phone (the fact is, Saks does have Levi’s in their catalog).
Here is my problem with this situation - designer denim is out of control right now. Most of it doesn’t even look good and may be completely worthless in a few months. This prompted my thoughts on men and on fashion.
Right now we see a cookie-cutter man entering the wonderful world of fashion by wearing Affliction T’s, True Religion jeans, and long, square-toed shoes. THIS DOESN”T LOOK GOOD, MEN!!! It also represents an exorbitant amount of money to spend on a few items that won’t last in the world of fashion. I’m a denim freak and I have a closet full of designer jeans including True Religions, however, I find myself on a day-to-day basis wearing my Levi’s 514 Slim Straights
No American designer or article of clothing will ever touch the impact that denim has had on the world of fashion…EVER!
To the snarky jackass that answered the phone at Saks, lets have a history lesson, shall we… the most American article of clothing we have is the blue jean. It was invented by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis in 1873, right here in the USA. No American designer or article of clothing will ever touch the impact that denim has had on the world of fashion…EVER! The blue jean was invented in America and became wildly popular (in a fashion sense) in the 60s and has never looked back. To you, snarky salesman, I say that you are un-American (I actually hate this term and I don’t really mean it).
Next time you go out to pick up some new jeans, take a serious look at the 514s. I wear them routinely with Magnanni’s or Jordan’s, they just work. Buying a pair of jeans today for less than $50, that actually work on both ends, and will easily last any fashion storm the world has to offer can’t be ignored. And men, graphic T’s usually suck and square toes shouldn’t be purchased!
About the Author: I am a photographer and print designer. I fell in love with the girl of my dreams, photography, and fashion, all while studying abroad in Europe. I photograph anything from portraits to weddings to travel. Fashion-wise, I like to stick to the basics, then use shoes and minor accessories for flair. My job allows me to travel and has taken me all over the world, which has shaped how I view fashion. Fashion should be aesthetically pleasing, accentuate the form, and be functional.
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I like the idea of Levi’s. I’ve had a million pair in earlier years. But i stopped buying them in the 90s. The problem is - they don’t fit right on me. Every pair i try seems like they are made for dudes with tiny butts and thin thighs.
I have the same problem. I bought a pair of 514s the other day (a bright blue shade with some cool blue thread detail) and they were a terrible fit. The waist fit ok and everything from the knee down was good. The thighs looked like sausages though, i couldn't even move they were so tight. I'm a soccer player so my thighs are pretty thick and tend to have trouble with anything labeled "slim." I only wear a 30X30 though. Express jeans tend to fit really well.
[...] A few months ago I had a rather unfortunate phone conversation with my local Sacks 5th Ave jeans salesman. I asked, what I thought was a rather harmless question: “Do you have any of the Levi Capital E jeans in-stock in the Tulsa store? I would like to try them on before buying them online at your website.” His reply was one seething with hatred and disgust towards the thought that THE Sacks 5th Avenue would stoop to the depths of offering such a lowly brand as “Levi.” The Capital E’s had just been released in a new cut and wash - only available online and (as their site stated) at select Bloomingdale’s and Sacks 5th Avenue locations. Now - it was my fault for assuming that Tulsa would qualify as a SELECT location - but seriously; do I have to be ridiculed and have my knuckles rapped just for asking the question? All in all - I shared this story with my Nikon d90 buddy Matt Swaggart, who thought the story was a riot and submitted it to the globally popular blogging forum: gearpatrol.comYou can read his quality post of modern day apparel tragedy by clicking HERE. [...]
I think it's important to balance higher price designer items with more affordable pragmatic ones. Gives you the best of both worlds.
Love the knock on square toed shoes - a pet peeve of mine that anyone would think those look good.
How were those ever popular? (affliction) How are those still popular? (true religon/square toes)
Levi's are always a solid choice, although I have noticed they are releasing several lines looking to compete with the higher end denim markets. Ultimately though I would agree with Jeremy. Its only worth buying jeans that fit you right. Some are lucky and fit into everything, others might have to cough up more dough for the right fit.
I wear my Lucky jeans whenever I don a pair of jeans. The button flys read "Lucky You" on the inseam when you open them. Lucky me.
I agree with you Sang, I own a pair of Lucky Brand Slim Bootleg Jeans. They are a slim bootcut and go really nicely with boots, or just some chucks. They are a great pair of jeans. Levis have never fit me well. I Honestly disagree with the idea of men wearing skinny jeans, or even slim straight in this situation. I get that it's the trend now, I do believe me, but it really dosent seem right at all.
Great article, bro. I'm going to give Levi's a try. What's the name of your photgraphy site?
So you're a photographer? What do you have to say about cameras, camera equipment and things along those lines?
Plenty but maybe in another article!
what's up with those Affliction shirts anyway? they look so.. well.. retarded. and i'm not even fashion savvy. i hate huge graphics on Ts anyway, but those hideous Affliction shirts are on a whole new level.
I'm with Sang, I mostly have Lucky Jeans right now as well. My build doesn't allow for a lot of options in the jeans world, unfortunately.
they actually had a pair in 32 x 36 via that first link (color - Overhaul if anyone is interested) so I ordered a pair. at $3x it's worth a shot. i hope they fit OK.
Great review mate! I must admit I find myself often falling down into the abyss of denim snobbery… but you pulled me way back out. I'm on the Levi's program. Cheers!
You know everyone who has mentioned lucky jeans..that we do take reader submissions. If you feel they're worth sharing, write something up and submit it!
at $100 / pair, i WON'T recommend them. i'm from the mentality that jeans should be called jeans and should cost no more than $50. HOWEVER, my build is extremely tough to fit. And Lucky are among the only jeans that have ever looked good on me and that's the only reason i buy them. my wife is obsessed with jeans and i have been to the 'designer denim' stores and have even been in pairs that cost $500. Not only is that price tag absurd (they're jeans!!) but they look completely horrendous.
at $100 / pair, i WON'T recommend them. i'm from the mentality that jeans should be called jeans and should cost no more than $50. HOWEVER, my build is extremely tough to fit. And Lucky are among the only jeans that have ever looked good on me and that's the only reason i buy them. my wife is obsessed with jeans and i have been to the 'designer denim' stores and have even been in pairs that cost $500. Not only is that price tag absurd (they're jeans!!) but they look completely horrendous.
At risk of angering Ben, I'll bring up another note about Lucky Jeans. I love my pair, but they've managed to get a hole in them the size of North Dakota. How? I have no idea, but I've sent them to my tailor for *posible* repair. Fingers crossed.
At risk of angering Ben, I'll bring up another note about Lucky Jeans. I love my pair, but they've managed to get a hole in them the size of North Dakota. How? I have no idea, but I've sent them to my tailor for *posible* repair. Fingers crossed.
Levis are always have a solid variety goods even though I realized they are issuing many lines looking to compete with the higher markets. but i think only it has the nice stuff in jeans.
This is so insightful! I wish all guys would read this! I want to hear more from Matthew Swaggart!
Thanks for sharing Matt. I'm fully on board with Levi's. I wear 527s but the point is Levi's are classic and fit great for me and the price tag makes me feel a lot better about buying them as often as needed.
so i got my pants today. the 32 fits like a 30 meaning in no way can i get them on. and by 'slim', they must actually mean 'girls' because there's no way in hell a man is fitting into these things. they're ridiculous on several different levels.
this pair is going back with no chance of a retry.
Good post. I've owned a million pair of jeans and ended up donating them all to Goodwill and buying a couple pair of 514's and 511's after I bought one pair and knew what was up. The "slim" in the jean name kind of threw me off at first, I'm not a slim dude (5'8", 215lbs), but after I tried them on I finally realized how a jean should fit.
really? at 6'4" / 190lb i am by no means a large guy. and they were WAY too tight. even my wife took one look and said (and i quote) "i look like a fairy". lol