Meet the Family

EVERY WOMEN’S 501® FIT, EXPLAINED

Campaigns and Collaborations
April 2023

women jeanswomen jeans

You know them. You love them. And chances are you’re wearing a pair right now. For 150 years we’ve been creating different versions of the 501® jeans that celebrate our heritage and your individuality—from the OG to the ’90s to the revival of the ’81. Get to know all of them, and don’t be surprised if it becomes impossible to pick just one favorite family member. Let’s dive in, shall we?

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501® ORIGINAL

This certified denim legend is the OG that started it all. Representing the past, present and future of style, our 501® Original is the blueprint for every pair of jeans in existence (crazy, right?). With a versatile, straight fit and effortlessly cool silhouette, they’re designed to look good on literally everybody. The patented durable rivets and five-pocket styling keep it timeless, while our signature button fly adds some authentic old-school flair. Oh, and did we mention this fit really does get better with age? (We have 150 years to prove it.)

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501® SKINNY

Alright kids, it’s time to debunk the myth that if you wear skinny jeans, you’re old. Our 501® Skinny features that same iconic look that’s been loved by our 501® Original fans all over the world for the last 150 years—but with a narrower cut, fitted to perfection. It’s slim through the hip and thigh, like a good skinny jean, and follows the trend all the way down to the leg opening. The high rise accentuates your curves in all the right places. The sleek silhouette lengthens your legs. And the best part is this fit looks great on all body types (especially on petite frames). Win win win.

501® CROP

Our 501® Cropped jeans are exactly what they sound like. True to the original, the silhouette starts off straight through the hips and thighs, with a stylish hem that hits just right above the ankles. The high rise adds to their waist-hugging appeal, while the cropped hem accentuates the length of your legs—and can show off a pair of statement boots. (Because why would you want to hide them?) They also fit shorter gals seamlessly, giving you that “tailored pants” feel, without actually having to go to the tailor.

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501® ’90s

Imagine if you took everything you love about the legendary 501® Original and gave it a nineties refresh. Boom: you have the 501® ’90s. Think of these as a slightly wider version of our original fit. The easy silhouette sits a little looser, the rise a little lower. Then there’s the leg. We went full-on ’90s and gave them a relaxed, laidback fit from hip to hem, inspired by those slouchy (and flawless) 501® jeans our favorite celebrities wore in that era.

501® ’81

While there’s no definitive “mom jean” here at Levi’s®, (although, let’s be real, our moms were probably wearing 501® jeans at some point) we do have a pretty solid contender here. Inspired by the first pair designed specifically for women, our 501® ’81 has the highest rise in our 501® family. It’s nipped in at the waist, curved at the hips and has a higher rise in the back for a pitch that slightly dips in the front. A tapered-but-still-straight leg takes them back to their vintage roots, while higher back pockets means you get a perkier butt. Yeah, yeah you can thank us later.

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High rising, hip-hugging, cheeky shorts (that don’t actually show any cheek). These 501® Original Shorts (a.k.a. our first-ever jean shorts) have been around for decades, yet they literally never go out of style. The reason why? Their versatility. A 2.5-inch inseam puts the spotlight on those thighs, while a universally flattering, high-waisted fit makes sure no one misses your curves, either. Meanwhile, the distressing and frayed hems give them a love-worn feel, and the distinctive five-pocket styling and iconic button fly keep things classic. We really don’t think it gets any better than that.

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501® ’90s SHORTS

Picture a pair of ’90s cutoffs. It’s likely that this one will come to mind. Lower in the rise, laid-back on the hips, loose in the leg. Yep, that’s our 501® ’90s Shorts in a nutshell. The 7.5-inch inseam gives you coverage without feeling too constrictive, while the raw edges and stringy frayed hems add an authentic, lived-in vibe. They’re like those cut-off shorts you had way back when, but way, way better. (If we do say so ourselves.)

Shop the entire 501® family online and in stores. For styling tips and outfit inspiration, follow us on Instagram and TikTok. Then tag @levis and #LiveinLevis. We just might feature your look.