The Legendary Denim Jackets You Can Actually Own

In today’s vintage market, the prices of classic denim pieces are skyrocketing. With items becoming increasingly rare, it’s not uncommon for a single jacket to cost several million yen, making ownership a difficult dream for many. This is where Levi’s® Vintage Clothing (LVC), the archival reproduction line from Levi’s®, comes into the spotlight.

The recent and immediate sell-out of the S506XX 1944 Jacket, a reproduction of the so-called “WWII model,” was a testament to the line’s immense popularity and dedicated following. Let’s take a closer look at three standout denim jackets released by Levi’s® Vintage Clothing that capture the spirit of their historical counterparts.

About the S506XX 1944 Jacket

First up is the aforementioned S506XX 1944 Jacket. In 1944, during World War II, Levi’s® was forced to conserve materials. This piece perfectly replicates the minimalist design of that era, which resulted from these wartime restrictions. The pocket flap was removed, the number of front buttons was reduced from five to four, and the buttons themselves were swapped for laurel leaf-branded versions, which used less metal. The jacket is meticulously reproduced down to the smallest detail, featuring 12oz selvedge denim, exposed unbranded rivets, a leather patch on the collar, and a cinch back near the hem. It’s a piece so faithfully recreated that it holds significant archival value.

About the 1936 Type I Jacket

Next is this faithful reproduction of the 1936 model. Key details of this piece include double pleats on the front, a single pocket on the left chest, exposed copper rivets, and a copper-pronged cinch back. The year 1936 is also famously known as the first year the iconic red Tab, commonly called the “Big E” tab, was sewn onto jackets. True to the original, the red Tab stitched next to the chest pocket features the “LEVI’S” branding in all capital letters, a detail seen until around 1971. For denim enthusiasts, this faithfully reproduced tab is a coveted detail.

About the 1953 Type II Trucker Jacket

The 1953 Type II Trucker Jacket was born from a few subtle modifications to the Type I jacket, which was first introduced in 1936. Crafted from durable selvedge denim, it became a beloved staple among American workers, including miners. It features the iconic “Two Horse” Lot 507 leather patch inside the collar, a double-pleated placket, waist adjusters on both sides of the hem, and the “Big E” red Tab. Being able to compare these year-to-year design differences firsthand is one of the great joys of owning these remarkable reproductions.

An Ode to the Past, A Look to the Future

The joy of adding a historical masterpiece to your wardrobe—an item once so out of reach it might only be seen in a museum—is a dream that Levi’s® Vintage Clothing makes accessible to all denim lovers. You can take these treasured reproductions and create your own unique fades and wear patterns, essentially cultivating a future vintage piece. The denim jackets from Levi’s® Vintage Clothing offer a unique lesson in both honoring the past and embracing the future of style.

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