Levi's 1870 Nevada Jean Revives One of the Oldest Pieces in Its Archive
The stitch-for-stitch reproduction features period specific hardware, deadstock selvedge denim, and is manufactured in the USA.
Summary
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Levi’s is releasing a precise reproduction of one of the oldest pairs of blue jeans found in its archives
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The historic design dates back to the 1870s and represents the structural predecessor to the iconic 501
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Crafted in the USA, the garment features deadstock Cone Mills White Oak plain selvedge loomstate denim
In a quick follow-up to releases like the 1944 501 and the 1937 501, Levi’s opens the vault again on 501 Day to reintroduce one of the 501’s earliest ancestors. The stitch-for-stitch reproduction of the legendary “Nevada” waist overalls dates all the way back to the 1870s, when Levi’s was only five to six years old.
What makes this almost 160-year-old design significant is that it served as the crucial blueprint for the iconic 501 we know and love today. Honoring the evolution of the American uniform, this drop features the distinctive left-thigh tool pocket, a unique utilitarian detail rooted in the labor needs of the time.
As raw, selvedge, and deadstock continue to see growing popularity, Levi’s Vintage Clothing has fueled the fire with its premium-tagged denim reproduction models. In 2024, the brand unveiled another variant of the archival 1870 in the 9Rivet. “Of the various 1870s blue jeans in the Levi’s Archives, I always suspected 9Rivet was the oldest,” Design Director of Levi’s Vintage Clothing Paul O’Neill said in 2024. “After confirming it was in fact the oldest we have, we were thrilled to reproduce all of its quirks and details that collectively capture a unique piece of denim history.” However, the latest 1870 Nevada takes the “stitch-for-stitch” ethos to another level.
Levi’s reconstructed every period-correct element for complete historical accuracy from the single-needle back detail to the 1873 rivets. Additionally, a center-back leather patch, denim pocket bags, and traditional leather washers mimic the original construction. Made in the USA using deadstock Cone Mills White Oak plain selvedge loomstate denim, this piece is a material vignette into the formative days of US-made workwear.
The Levi’s 1870 Nevada reproduction drops today via Levi’s.
