Earlier this 12 months, the Levi’s 501 turned 150, a landmark anniversary for probably the most iconic silhouette in denim. You’re most likely acquainted with the broad strokes of the 501’s origin story: in 1873, Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss have been granted a patent to equip their sturdy denim pants with riveted pockets, a flourish that shortly endeared them to San Francisco gold miners.
Through the years, the 501 grew to become catnip for a specific kind of brooding all-American archetype—Brando in The Wild One, Dean in Insurgent With no Trigger, Springsteen on the quilt of Born in the united statesA—however on the event of its sesquicentennial, it nonetheless feels startlingly related, the usual by which all different denims are judged.
Steve Jobs made it an important a part of his Apple uniform, alongside along with his trademark Issey Miyake turtlenecks and cooked New Stability 992s; Kurt Cobain swore by stonewashed 501s with characteristically blown-out knees. In 2023, you’re simply as more likely to encounter the OG model as you’re a wild-style designer riff, from the SoCal-dreaming wunderkind Eli Russell Linetz or Nigo, the Kenzo majordomo and legendary streetwear whisperer. (On any given day, half the GQ workplace is carrying a pair.)
The 501’s enduring legacy principally boils down to 2 components: its just-right match and unbeatable worth. The mid-rise presents your thighs loads of respiration room, however it stays straight via the leg, a Goldilocks combo ripe for the freaking; measurement up for just a little slouch, or stick together with your true waist to maintain it traditional. Its sub-$100 worth conveys a sure everyman enchantment, too—the wealthy and well-known like it as a result of it makes them appear rather less wealthy and well-known, and just a little extra in contact with Common Joes.
All of which is to say, Levi’s by no means actually has to low cost it; the 501’s legacy is so unimpeachable menswear followers want little convincing to purchase a pair. But when all these pedigreed cosigns imply nothing to you (or you’ll be able to’t quell your contrarian streak), now could be the time to bracket your skepticism. Due to Black Friday, the Levi’s 501 is half off on Amazon—generally extra, relying on the wash that piques your curiosity. Stock is transferring fast, which solely reaffirms what we already knew: in the case of denim, the 501 remains to be king.
Searching for extra Black Friday gross sales? Here is each single whole lot we have discovered to date. And do not forget to subscribe to the GQ Recommends e-newsletter to remain tapped into our picks via the period of the vacation season.
Even Extra Black Friday Gross sales + Guides from GQ
CLOTHING: The Finest Black Friday Clothes Offers | The Better of the J.Crew Black Friday Sale | The Better of the SSENSE Black Friday Sale | The Finest Nike Black Friday Offers | The Finest Black Friday Shoe Offers | The Finest Madewell Black Friday Offers | The Finest Nike Black Friday Offers | The Finest Patagonia Black Friday Offers | The Finest REI Black Friday Offers | The Better of the Banana Republic Black Friday Sale | The Better of the Hole Black Friday Sale | The Better of the Abercrombie Black Friday Sale | The Better of the Huckberry Black Friday Sale
TECH: The Finest Black Friday Tech Offers | The Finest Apple Black Friday Offers | The Finest Sonos Black Friday Offers
HOME: The Finest Black Friday Mattress Offers | The Finest Black Friday Baggage Offers
FITNESS: The Finest Black Friday Health Offers
BIG BOX STORES: The Finest Walmart Black Friday Offers | The Better of the Nordstrom Black Friday Sale | The Finest Amazon Black Friday Offers
