This is hands down the most helpful video on RU-vid for dating Levis. I knew about the 4 digit codes but recently came into a pair that was three digit and have been stumped/searching hard to understand the tag. The batwing timeline info helped tremendously help date this damn pair, thank you!!!!
Ok, I have been wearing 501s for over 50 years and have a huge collection of vintage Levi's. All this time I have been dating Levi's by the waist tag and jeans features. With a quick look I can tell you about when a pair of 501s was made, but I couldn't be sure of the exact year until now. This was a very informative video and I liked that Mr. LootFam presents the information quickly.
@@madeyasee Sorry, but all my 501s are around 36x32 or 36x34 for cuffing. Even when I started wearing 501s as a boy in the late 1960s I had a 32 inch waist. 28 is a really small size.
I knew most of this information already.... From horribly searching the web, asking questions in Facebook groups and sheer deduction. How I wished I had just seen this video instead! Good job with it. It's not perfect, because no video could ever be. You are spot on with the no absolutes in Levi's comment. So very true. But this is great and I'll definitely recommend this the next time I get asked about dating vintage Levis!
Thanks for this. Unfortuantely, I actually wore my 501's so the care tag is almost unreadable. I think I bought them around 1980 or before and they have been worn, washed and repaired so much that finally they came out of the washing machine the other day, obviously unrepairable. It is a testament to the quality that none of the stitching or rivets ever came undone, or pulled away. It was just the material itself that got so thin on the butt and knees that there was just nothing to hold onto to sew them up again. I know people like to buy hardly-worn vintage, but I think I must be one of the few who actually bought them new and literally wore them to death. It took over 30 years. Can you get emotionally attached to an item of clothing? Yup! It's also nice to know that at the age of 63 I still wear that same size 38 long. I looked on the back of the top button and it seems to have stamped a G (or maybe a 6) at the top, a 0 to the right bottom, and a 6 (or is it an 8?) to the left bottom. What does this mean? I bought them in Greece by the way. The parts of the care tag I can read are G50 078801/5.
Thank you so much! Everyone focuses on Made in the USA to determine vintage it seems like. I could tell just by looking at the care tag it was old enough to be vintage, just one tag, the rougher material it was made out of, the poor print. I'm so glad I found your excellent explanation of these tags!! Liked, and Subscribed!
Omg. Please see my comment. I recently purchased a pair of vintage 501. A great price, too. I just looked at the white tag to sit down and decode it (I just got them a couple days ago). It's the smaller white tag. On the back on the second to last line where I know is the date it has printed "11 0 6" I know that the 6 is the location because it is mirrored on the top fly button back side. Am I right that these are 11/1980!? I am in love. The tag is sewn on the same line as pocket bag not under the bag like some and it's definitely the small version of the white tag. I'm blown away. AND THEY FIT !!!
The white tags on jeans didn't start until 1973, but wash instructions were being included on garments around 67. From 71-73 they were mostly printed on the pocket back on jeans. Send me some photos of your jeans to lootfam1@gmail.com and I'll take a look! thanks!
I just realized I have a pair of 684 big bellbottoms with the red batwing tag. I can't believe they were still producing those in the latter half of the 80's into the 90's.
I have a few pairs of Levi's 646 Corduroy Bell Bottoms that I was able to date to the mid 70s because of this. Lootfam, let me know if you need a better image of the Small Paper tag because one of my pairs has very clear text.
hey Josh.. so I have a pair that is 701S - on the back of the front button is is 112 - it's Made in Hong Kong with a black batwing tag... the back pocket is cut like the bat wing too. I think they might be vintage but the inner fabric waist band is throwing me off - a large inked print in black reads Levi's - it's on a striped inner waist band... whew. Any thoughts... btw I've seen your video like 10 times and it's always helpful. I'd love your thoughts if it's appropriate to ask. TY!!
I have a pair of black 550 with the red batwing logo tag, date appears to be 0198. Only worn less than 10 times, once or twice in the last 10 years. Made in Mexico.
Are they orange tabs? The red batwing can be found on some orange tabs and a few other random pairs in the late 90s. Though, you won't likely find the same on any pair of 501s.
Was the white tag replaced by the red tag in 1987 for the jackets as well as the jeans? I've got a flannel-lined Type 3 jacket with the (very faded!) white tag...
fantastic! am a vintage denim reseller/collector and have always found it tricky to date Levis from the 70s/80s - wondering if you have an IG so I can link to credit you for this v helpful info!
Thank you so much for doing this. It helped me to date a pair of jeans with the red Bat wing logo (86’ - mid 90s) and I only paid $1 at a garage sale. 🤣 I recently came across a button down collared Levi’s men’s shirt and the inside tag is navy blue with white lettering. Do you discuss the inner logo tag in any of your other videos? Or can you tell me anything about this particular shirt logo? I look forward to watching More of your videos! Thank you again!
Hmm. If you want you can send me some photos of the shirt to lootfam1@gmail.com. I don't really talk much about Levi's shirts, but perhaps I'll prepare something for the future. Thanks for watching!
Your videos have been so helpful for me dating other Levi’s items, but I am stumped on a recent pair I picked up. They are a black pair of 550s with a black tab with white lettering. The care tag has the red batwing, but none of the numbers make sense for a date code 🤷🏼♀️
Do you have an article with pictures? This was helpful, but I am still not able to figure out which numbers on my tags are important besides the style code and factory code. I really need the date code but can't find it!
Does anyone have any info about the 569 model specifically? I am searching for a true loose, straight fit and I've been hearing that the earlier versions are better quality than the modern versions. However, I have yet to find any details regarding when this model was first introduced and how it varies based on where it was manufactured. If anyone could help me out I would be extremely greatful!!! Great video by the way! Very helpful.
I believe the 569 was a product of the late 90s. At the least, that is oldest I’ve ever found them. I’d agree the earlier versions are better. I actually have some dead stock right now from the late 90s-y2k era. Lootfam1@gmail.com if you’re interested.
Need some help guys I found a blue tab uppercase E Levi’s corduroys and I just can’t figure out what time era there from or what they are worth they don’t exist online!
I have a pair of 517 jeans with a small e orange tag. It has an applied canvas type material. Like chaps They are new with square 517 label. There is no wash instructions label. Can't seem to find any images of them.
Lol. I, too have watched this many times. A Question for you. I have, I think, an early 1980s pair of 501s. They have 501 0000 on the back label. What does that mean? I really appreciate the work you do.
That would be the denim wash code denoting the material used. I can't recall off hand what 0000 was used for during that period, but some photos might helpful. If you'd like you can email me some at lootfam1@gmail.com. Thanks for watching and glad to have you here!
Sure, email me some photos to lootfam1@gmail.com. The good news is that if it's orange tab there is a 99.99999 precent chances it's vintage as the orange tab line end in 1999. There was a very small release in like 2018 or something but it was very small.
I have a pair of Levi's and they don't have what number they are I saw a video where you talked about the black tags and they have some foreign writing Will they have a PC 9 number but I called Levi's and they said they don't know just wondering if you could help if I gave you the PC 9 or tell me how I could identify him their women's jeans I think
Unfortunately, no. It had to do with the wash and material, but there isn’t a comprehensive list of the codes… Yet. Currently, i’m working on putting one together. I just haven’t sorted that one out yet.
Very informative, I prefer the late 1980s 501 levis, better quality. Could someone tell me what the numbers 0115, 0118 , 0193 and 0134 on the tags mean ?
The four digits opposite of the lot number is the material or color code of the wash of the jeans. A comprehensive list doesn’t exist as far as i know. I’m planning on putting one together soon.
i’ve got a pair of levi’s with black batwing logo with date code -042. does this mean they were april 92’ seen as the black batwing code didn’t exist until 1991?
Unfortunately, the Little Levis sometimes follow completely different rules haha. If you'd like you can email me pictures of the pair in question. Lootfam1@gmail.com
Hey Elizabeth! See the correction in the description. I misspoke, and care tags were fully implemented by 1973. So there are a couple years where this could be the case. Thanks for watching!
@@LootFam Awesome thanks a bunch! I was confused on why my big E 684 big bells have a paper care tag but the 646s don’t. Good to know there was a period where they used both!
Hey I’m looking at two pairs of American made orange tab 560s. Both are made in 95, although one has a red batwing tag and one has a black. Would you know if there’s a difference?
The Red Bat Wing logo was discontinued in the 501 around 1993, but the orange tab line used it along side the black bat wing without any real distinction. They are, for all intents and purposes, the same. Thanks for watching!
Another lifelong Levi's (45-50 yrs) wearer here and I have been dating them by my memory of wearing them. Not great considered I grew up in 60's + 70's and that Era is kind of a haze. I knew I didn't like the last 20 years of Levi's but didn't really know why. Spandex🤮. Maybe there's another video, but how do you date the "book of nonsense" tags? Thanks for sharing your great knowledge in a succinct articulate manner.✌️👖🌈
Thats awesome!! The modern tags have a date code that is format similar to the 90s except that it changes out the month for the calendar week. Often found in the top right corner of one the tag you’ll see a code “CW-xxxx” the first two numbers are the week of the year and the next two are the last to digits of the year.
I've still got a pair of 501s and 618s I had in the 80s. They're made in the UK though so the tags are not the same as the ones shown in here. There's only 1 tag anywhere inside each pair and they're longer than the ones shown here. One side has the care instructions and the other has the numbers. They just don't correspond the way they do on here. The 618s number side at top says W 30 L32 618 0285. Bingo! February '85. That works, I've cracked it! Doesn't follow with the 501s though. They'd be 0314. March 2014. That simply cant be possible so I'm still struggling! 🤦🏼
I just found a pair of Levi’s double knees at the thrift, the date code is 1198 but i can’t find anything else about them, there red tag with the small e they don’t have the brown patch in the back and they have a patch about one inch my one and a half inches that says “levi Strauss & co. Manufacturers of two-horse brand overalls and denim work clothing” I can’t find any information about them, I’d like some help
Hey! Love your videos! I found a pair of 20505 0217s Orange Tab and I'm having trouble dating them. They have an 8 stamped in the button (in other videos you mentioned this was like that till around 1981) and the tag is not very visible. It ooks just like the one you show at 5:31. Thanks in advance!
This has been super helpful but I am still struggling a bit with a pair of red levis made in Canada. Still a paper tag, black no batwing. 1/5 is on the tag beside the factory code (212). Would that mean these are from the 70s theoretically?
I have a pair of Levi’s 560s which seem pretty old. There’s no interior tag whatsoever, I can’t find any kind of wash instructions either. Does have a red little e tab. Excellent condition. They feel like they were dry cleaned and then never worn, lol. Any advice is appreciated
The 560 was born in the mid-late 80s. So it’s not likely any older that that. Became rather popular through the 90’s. I’d say it’s likely from the 90s. The tags were likely cut out as they started sticking them on the waist band and people didn’t care for that being that they were more stiff than modern tags. Cool find! Thanks for sharing!
@@lianefougere9965 It's unlikely they are from 2002 as the orange tab lined ended in 1999. Send me some photos to lootfam1@gmail.com. Canadian made tags are notoriously confusing to read, but I may be able to piece it together and at least get you close. Thanks for watching!
If the small white tag was intruded in 1967 how do you know the pair with date code 10 7 is from 1977 and not 1967…. Because of whether e is big or small on tab?
So , when the first digit of the production code is the month, how come that mine says 1121? Since we don't have November yet, it can only mean the week of the year,right? So couldn't it be that all the tags have not the month code of a certain year, they have the week code of a certain year?
Are you referring to a modern pair of levis? If so, many production changes have been made in the last 20 years so unfortunately this method can only be reliably used for vintage jeans. Levis production reps confirmed to me the month/ year dating system but it was for jeans made prior to 2002ish. They still dated jeans after that but i have not confirmed all the details. Thanks for watching! If you have pictures of the tag you are referring to i’d love to see it. You can email me at lootfam1@gmail.com
Going 😂up..i remember a pair of 501 Levis costs no more then 39$ in the 1990s in the USA..where in Germany it was 79 Deutschmarks..today in Europe they 79€ retail..🤔🇺🇸🇩🇪
You are correct. 67 is around when Levi’s added care instructions via stamps on their garments. I misspoke. The correction is in the description. Thanks for watching!
So I found an orange tag pair that has the 70s style tag but the back patch is thick leather and only stitched on the top and the bottom. They are in awesome shape but i cant fond any that have the thick leather back patch
I'd bet they are from the Levi's Movie' On line. I've got a video on the channel all about them, or you can send me some photos to lootfam1@gmail.com and I'll take a look. Thanks!
I have a question, I found a pair of 20517 0217 orange tabs, made in the USA on the back patch, and unlike what you've shown in the video, which was a more paper type tag, this pairs care tag (it's the bigger, no branding, mid 80s type care tag) was made of the same material as the back patch. I was wondering if you knew if levis did that? and if theres a number to date them precisely like newer care tags have? I can't seem to make out a year from the numbers on it.
@@lindseygarland9299 This is what he said: "These are from 1987 (4/7), right around the transition to the new tagging system. I wonder if the factory ran out of the normal material for tags and decided to use something else instead. That is not unheard of in the world of levis."
Hi! I got a vintage Levi's 544 yesterday at thrift store. I'm kind of confused what year it is. Could you please look at my white tag and help me what year it is? Could I send you an email?
@@LootFam got another question for you: got another pair of orange tabs with a small care tag with not a lot of real estate in the inner left pocket. No branding so before 1987. The numbers I have are 8 (I’m assuming august) 6 and 575 (factory number?). I’m trying to figure out if it is 1986 or 1976. I’m leaning more in the 1976 era but I’m not 100% sure
Generally, they are the same. Though there are some that may have extra information you'd need to sort through. If you have a specific tag you need help on you're welcome to email me some photos to lootfam1@gmail.com. Thanks!
Hi. I think I have late 80s-90s gray acid wash 550s I picked up yesterday. Sadly the front of the red bat wing isn't in good shape to tell a size and the back patch is missing as well. It does have a black Levi's pocket tag (Were those only used for specific years or models?) The inside stamp of the button says 575. The numbers on the inside are: 2008 S10 575 021 78860-5 40550 4158 Any idea of a specific year from this information? Thanks!
Looks like the date code is 021 giving us 1991. The black tab was used for a variety of stuff but it is common on acid wash levis from this time period. Acid wash was pretty new at this time and Levi's likely made it a some what separate product line. Thanks!
