The "501® Z," first released in 1954, represents Levi's® expansion into new territory. Up to this point, Levi's® were primarily worn out West, where they 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, Levi's® took the original 501® Shrink-to-Fit™ Jean 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® Jean and its zippered brother, the 501® Z.

Today, Levi's® recreated the 1960 iteration of the latter in classic Cone Mills White Oak denim. True to the era, it features a slightly boxier silhouette and an off-center middle belt loop.

• An archival reproduction of a pair of 501® Z from 1961
• This jean includes the rivets and tough-but-flexible denim loved by longtime wearers
• True to the original, these jeans feature a zip fly
• We worked with a Japanese artisan mill to painstakingly recreate 1950s Levi’s® selvedge denim
• Double-needle arcuate stitching
• Two back pockets with concealed rivets
• Big “E” single-sided Red Tab™
• Iconic Two Horse leather patch