Levi’s Debuts First Plant-Based 501 Jeans In Time For Pair’s 150th Anniversary

Image via Levi Strauss & Co

Levi’s is washing its denim in green for the 150th anniversary of the iconic 501 jeans. The brand has unveiled the world’s first 501 pair crafted from at least 97% plant-based materials, which it imagines is “an indication of what the industry could look like in the years ahead… to minimize synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels.”

The new Plant-Based 501 jeans are constructed with 100% Organic Cotton Standard (OCS)-certified organically-grown cotton, which means they’re free of synthetic pesticides and limit water waste.

With the exception of the sewing thread, care label, and metal trims, all components are derived from plant-based sources. 

Images via Levi’s

Although mirroring Levi’s classic textiles, the fabric is dyed using plant-based indigo sourced from Stony Creek Colors in Springfield, Tennessee. At the same time, it maintains a “perfect broken-in look” for a lived-in feel expected of well-loved denim.

The ol’ leather back patch has been replaced by a 100% bio-based, plastic-free variant labeled “plant-based” and featuring a small green leaf. Meanwhile, the 100% cotton internal pocket bag is printed with plant-based black wood ink from BioBlack TX.

Levi’s believes that the Plant-Based 501 jeans are a catalyst for change within the fashion industry. As brands strive to cut reliance on synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels, the eco silhouette shows how sustainability and style can coexist.

Image via Levi’s

Aside from the Plant-Based 501, the denim behemoth has also introduced two other environmentally-conscious styles for the 501’s big milestone. There are also the hemp-cotton blend Selvedge 501, which will arrive in a variety of shades and finishes, including natural ones; and the Circular 501, which is “made with a mix of organic cotton and Renewcell’s pioneering Circulose fiber, viscose made in part from recycled denim and other forms of textile waste.”

Image via Levi Strauss & Co.

The first Plant-Based 501 jeans are now available in women’s straight-cut sizes, and in light and medium washes, for US$128. The men’s versions are set to arrive at the end of July, offering a sustainable denim option for all.

“As a company that has been making 501s for 150 years now, we have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to continually interrogate the process by which these jeans are made,” shares Paul Dillinger, VP of design innovation at Levi Strauss & Co. “These jeans build on past efforts to create more circular jeans and in turn give us a foundation for future innovation.”

[via Sourcing Journal, Vegan Food & Living, Levi Strauss & Co, images via Levi’s]

This article was crafted with assistance from an AI engine, and has been reviewed, edited, and fact-checked.