On May 20th, 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis secured a patent (No. 139,121) for “an Improvement in Fastening Pocket Openings.” The West Coast at that time was a loose patchwork of farms, ranches, railroads and gold mines. Jacob Davis—a tailor from Reno, Nevada—had the idea of placing rivets on work pants at points of strain, and joined forces with his denim supplier Levi Strauss in San Francisco. The riveted blue jean was born. Soon, Levi’s® became the clothing of choice for the rugged, hodgepodge band of workers, outcasts, entrepreneurs and outlaws building America’s future. For Spring/Summer 2023, in celebration of the 150th year anniversary of this patent, we pay tribute to their innovation and collaboration.

Originally released as the "501® Z," these 1954 501® jeans represent our expansion into new territory. Up to this point, Levi's® denim was primarily worn out West, where it had earned a loyal following. East Coasters, however, were largely unfamiliar with this button-fly work pant.

In order to familiarize the East Coast with this American classic, we took the original 501® Shrink-to-Fit™ jeans and replaced the classic button fly with a zipper, and named it the "501® Z." It retained all the other details loved by longtime wearers: the famed silhouette, rivets and tough-but-flexible denim. Eventually, retailers began providing customers with both options—the 501® jeans and its zippered brother, the 501® Z.

Today, we recreated the latter in classic selvedge denim. These 1954 Men's 501® jeans help tell the story of the 501® and its evolution through the decades.

• The only 501® jeans with a zipper instead of a button fly, originally released as the "501® Z"
• This jean retains the famed silhouette, rivets and tough-but-flexible denim loved by longtime wearers
• Double-needle arcuate stitching
• Two back pockets with concealed rivets
• Big “E” single-sided Red Tab™
• Iconic Two Horse leather patch
• Better clothes. Better choices. We made this garment with organically grown cotton, which uses no synthetic pesticides and saves water
• Crafted in premium Japanese selvedge denim from the renowned Kaihara Mill
• Made in Japan by expert artisans using traditional techniques