Model Guide
Levis model numbers divide into jeans (bottoms) and jacket (tops) categories. Jeans use three-digit numbers: 501, 505, 517, 519, 578, 606, 646, etc. Jackets are known by 'XX' suffix models: 506XX, 507XX, 557XX, etc. The 'XX' suffix was an internal designation until around 1954, making XX-era models especially rare. The '70' prefix (70505, 70557XX, etc.) indicates Big E era (pre-1971). 'LVC' = Levis Vintage Clothing reproduction (NOT vintage). 'STF' = Shrink-to-Fit (raw denim). Knowing this lets you extract significant information from listing titles and descriptions.
501XX (pre-1954): rarest, button fly, straight — leather patch + Big E tab + no care label + selvedge, rarity ★★★★★. 506XX (Type1 jacket, 1936–1953): single chest pocket, often with blanket lining, short production run, ultra-rare, ★★★★★. 507XX (Type2 jacket, 1953–1962): two chest pockets, double waist pleats, equally ultra-rare, ★★★★★. These models appearing on the market is itself a rare event. Authenticating them requires carefully combining multiple identification points. Watch for LVC reproductions.
501/70501 (1873+): definitive button fly, straight — highest vintage value, ★★★★☆. 505/70505 (1967+): zipper fly, straight, Big E era = 70505 with TALON zipper, ★★★★☆. 517 (late 1960s+): zipper fly, bootcut, hippie/cowboy culture icon, ★★★☆☆. 519 (1960s+): zipper fly, super slim, rare model, ★★★☆☆. 557XX/70557XX (Type3 Trucker, 1962+): Big E era = 70557XX with TALON zipper, ★★★★☆. 606 (1960s–1970s): slim fit, rare model, ★★★☆☆.
578 (1970s): flare cut, zipper fly, few survivors, rare, ★★★★☆. 646 (1970s): bellbottom, zipper fly, disco culture icon, mainly orange tab, ★★★☆☆. 701 (1934+): women's classic, button fly, 'Student Fit' label, ★★★★☆. 702/705 (1950s–60s): women's models, few survivors, ★★★★☆. 912 (1970s): orange tab, slim tapered, women's, ★★★☆☆. 917 (1970s): orange tab, bootcut, ★★★☆☆. The orange tab line was less expensive than the red tab (Big E) line but now has its own collector following for its era character.
Current production features multilingual care labels, barcodes, URLs, no selvedge, and overseas manufacturing. Major current models: 501CT (cutoff tapered, 2010s+), 511 (slim fit, 2010s+), 512 (slim taper, 2015+), 513 (slim straight, 2000s+), 514 (straight fit), 527 (bootcut low rise), 531 (athletic slim), 541 (athletic taper), 550 (relaxed fit, 1980s+), 559 (relaxed straight), 569 (loose straight), 721 (high rise skinny, women's), 724 (high rise straight, women's). LVC (Levis Vintage Clothing) is a current-production vintage reproduction line that closely resembles genuine vintage — misidentification is a real risk.
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