Levi’s Vintage Clothing has announced an exclusive release of its 1937 501® Selvedge Jeans, reviving one of the most historically significant silhouettes in the brand’s archive through a limited lottery-only launch.
The model revisits a pivotal moment in the evolution of the 501®, reflecting the transitional design changes introduced in the late 1930s. The 1937 version marked a shift away from purely utilitarian workwear, adapting to the growing popularity of denim as everyday clothing while retaining functional roots tied to labor and durability.
The jeans are constructed from premium Japanese selvedge denim, woven on traditional shuttle looms to achieve a dense texture and clean, self-finished edge. Staying true to the original specifications, the pair features a high-rise waist and a straight, relaxed leg, delivering the characteristic anti-fit silhouette associated with early Levi’s designs.
Authentic period details are carefully reproduced. The jeans include a cinch back at the waist, allowing for manual adjustment, a feature that predates the widespread use of belt loops. External rivets on the back pockets are intentionally omitted, reflecting the historical update introduced to prevent damage to furniture and saddles. To signal the continued presence of reinforced construction, a salmon-colored flasher is attached, a detail originally used to inform customers that the copper rivets had been relocated to the interior.
The design also reflects a key branding milestone for Levi’s, as the 1937 era marked the early adoption of the Red Tab, introduced to help distinguish Levi’s garments from competing denim products. This subtle branding element is preserved as part of the archival recreation.
By limiting availability to a lottery format, Levi’s Vintage Clothing reinforces the collectible nature of the release. The approach emphasizes scarcity and historical value rather than mass accessibility, positioning the jeans as a piece intended for denim purists, collectors, and long-time followers of the brand’s heritage line.
The 1937 501® Selvedge Jeans stand as a faithful reproduction of a formative chapter in denim history, combining meticulous craftsmanship, archival accuracy, and restrained exclusivity in a release that underscores Levi’s continued commitment to its legacy.
