Levi’s 1870 Nevada Jean Revives One of the Oldest Pieces in Its Archive

by

Summary

  • Levi’s is recreating an exact copy of a very old pair of blue jeans they discovered in their historical collection.

  • This design originated in the 1870s and served as the original model for the famous 501 jeans.

  • This garment is proudly made in the USA using high-quality, unused Cone Mills White Oak denim from a traditional selvedge loom.

Continuing its celebration of the iconic 501 jean, Levi’s is releasing a remarkably accurate recreation of one of its very first pairs. This “Nevada” waist overall, a stitch-for-stitch copy of a design from the 1870s, offers a glimpse into the brand’s origins when Levi’s was just a young company.

This design, dating back nearly 160 years, is important because it was the original pattern for the famous 501 jeans. The collection celebrates the history of American workwear and includes the signature tool pocket on the left thigh – a practical feature originally designed for laborers.

With increasing interest in raw, selvedge, and vintage denim, Levi’s Vintage Clothing has been releasing high-quality reproductions of classic styles. In 2024, they introduced a new version of the 1870s jean, called the 9Rivet. Paul O’Neill, Design Director for Levi’s Vintage Clothing, explained that the 9Rivet is believed to be the oldest jean in the Levi’s archives, and they were excited to recreate all of its original details. However, the newest 1870 Nevada model takes their commitment to accurate reproduction even further.

Levi’s meticulously recreated every detail of this garment to be historically accurate, right down to the stitching and the original 1873 rivets. Features like the leather patch on the back, denim pockets, and leather washers all echo the original design. Crafted in the USA from leftover Cone Mills White Oak selvedge denim, this piece offers a glimpse into the early days of American workwear.

The Levi’s 1870 Nevada reproduction drops today via Levi’s.

Read More

2026-05-20 19:56