We get lots of questions about vintage jeans and why they’re better than most modern styles. We’re here to answer your questions! Use this as your guide to everything vintage denim.
There are an infinite number of denim brands, but the most popular ones we carry at Hot House are Levi and Lee jeans.
- Levi is THE classic denim brand. They separate themselves from other brands by numbering all of their styles, which makes it easier for repurchasing other washes. The 501’s and 505’s are their most popular and have never gone out of style
- Lee jeans are a favorite among many due to their high waisted, “mom” cut. Lee jeans are also made with a softer, more expansive cotton, which makes them good for people with wider hips and/or thighs.
Vintage Denim Need To Know:
Quality: What makes vintage denim really special is the quality. While jeans were still mass produced back in the day, they used different techniques that are no longer practiced in modern day like:
- Reinforcing stress points such as belt loops and zipper flys
- Using higher quality fabrics and thread, like organic cotton and heavy duty blue jean thread
- Using starch to stiffen the fabric and protect from weather wear
The quality back then was so good that people didn’t need to buy new jeans every year like we do now. They’re designed to last forever, so vintage jeans are the way to go.
Fit: Though vintage and modern jeans have similar cuts, they fit differently due the materials used. Vintage jeans are 0% spandex and usually have no stretch at all, so trying them on in-store is a must! You might have to size up when buying vintage and that’s okay!
- General rule of thumb: wrap the waist of the jeans around your neck to get an idea of how they will fit. If it doesn’t wrap all the way around your neck, chances are they will be too small. If the waist criss-crosses around your neck, they might be too big, but be sure to try on just in case!
