Vintage Levi’s Shirts

What actually determines something is “vintage” is often debatable, but there is no denying the authenticity of these shirts.   The genuine articles, these are.  (What Goes Around, Comes Around would give their left leg for a 5 minute shopping spree in here). Photographed at the Levi Strauss archives in San Francisco- same day in fact that I was treated to the “Nevada” jean, circa 1880.

Most of the shirts on this page have been dated between the 1920′s and 1960′s.  Levi Strauss has always been mostly known for their denim, but throughout their history have supplied a very wide rage of shirts- both men’s and women’s, although these are all men’s. Styling has stayed true to the “Western” routes of denim, with lots of specialty shaped pocket flaps and back yokes, novelty snaps, topstitching, and plaids galore.

The vintage rodeo shirts really were impressive. Born and raised in the Northeast, rodeo has never been one of my spectator sports. Nonetheless, rodeo is a major attraction west of the Mississippi, and has been so since the late 1800′s – coincidentally, around the same time Mr. Strauss began making his denim jeans.  As the rodeo events are a time for the cowboys to showoff their skills, they like to throw in some flash with their showmanship. Levi Strauss was there to supply the whole look (except the boots)- rugged denim jeans on the bottom and silk satin shirts on the top. Brightly colored plaids and solids with decorative piping in the seams, fancy tie-front plackets, and special buttons and snaps.

A lot of the below prints are from the 1920′s – 1940′s.  A little loud by today’s standards, but would nevertheless be very cool, slim-fitted and tucked into a pair of cuffed raw denim jeans.

Oh, and not to forget the labels (more to come on that subject in future posts). Be sure to check out the beautiful labeling in these shirts- Levi’s was the king of labeling, designing new labels for every new group, every different fabrication, occasion, and category.

Below is a link to the Levi Strauss Archive if you are interested in visiting and/or inquiring about their extensive collection. I have to say that you will not be disappointed.