Levi’s Entirely Reproduces Its Oldest Blue Jeans—From 1870s—For Wearers Of Today
Image via Levi’s
Levi’s has undeniably been wearing the pants of the business for over 150 years. And now, you can secure its heritage with a belt, thanks to a new limited-edition style from its Levi’s Vintage Clothing line, where the oldest blue denim has been recreated down to the stitch—capturing every detail of the bygone era.
The Levi’s Vintage Clothing 9Rivet is crafted from a lightweight nine-ounce plain selvedge denim sourced from the renowned Cone Mills White Oak mill. The jeans entail a single back pocket, a feature not commonly seen on contemporary Levi’s.
Perhaps the most distinct characteristic of the 9Rivet, however, is the lack of rivets (nine of them) on the back cinch, hence its name. It was an element that differed from the more familiar 11-rivet configuration synonymous with later designs.
Image via Levi’s
The old-school silhouette includes exposed rivets, a pre-1875 Levi’s leather patch, and a single-needle arcuate stitch—stitch-by-stitch details that reflect the construction techniques of the time.
Image via Levi Strauss & Co
After much hemming, hawing, and in-depth research by Levi Strauss & Co historian Tracey Panek, the brand came to the knowledge that this pair, dating back to 1873 or 1874, was indeed the oldest of the blue jeans in its archives.
Image via Levi’s
“Of the various 1870s blue jeans in the Levi’s Archives, I always suspected 9Rivet was the oldest,” notes Levi’s Vintage Clothing design director Paul O’Neill. “After confirming it is in fact the oldest we have, we were thrilled to reproduce all of its quirks and details that collectively capture a unique piece of denim history.”
Image via Levi’s
A true-blue collector’s item with only 800 pairs produced globally, the 9Rivet offers a tangible link to Levi’s past and the evolution of denim as a cornerstone of American fashion. Each pair, retailing for US$495, comes housed in a commemorative box, complete with printed materials detailing the historical features of this one-of-a-kind garment.
Image via Levi’s
[via Gear Patrol and MR Magazine, images via Levi’s]
