# Why do Levi Jeans, same brand number, same waist size, same inseam fit so differently? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 27, 2013, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013 "2013-06-27T06:24:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/21 "2013-06-27T15:39:38Z")
I’ve gotten stung by the Levi’s variability too, and that was about a decade ago. I went to the store tried on a pair of 505s, and they fit well. I grabbed another of the same size off the shelf, and purchased them both. At home when I tried on the second pair, it was way too tight to wear. Pretty annoying. Since then, I make sure that I try on every pair that I purchase. There have been times where one pair fits great, and another doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/22 "2013-06-27T15:57:52Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > I have no idea what terms like “boot cut” mean and the advice I’m seeing in the user comments is all contradictory. I’m puzzled by this. Boot cut means that the legs narrow only slightly, to make them fit better over boots. I know it’s been offered continuously since at least the early 70s when I worked in a store that sold them. At the time the cuts were regular, boot cut, flare, and bell bottom. The latter two became passe after the 70s but boot cut is absolutely standard. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/23 "2013-06-27T16:20:04Z")
As in all manufactured items, there are allowable tolerances specified in the contract to outsourced factories. As mentioned, the quality control on the other end of the world is not likely up to the contract standards, nor to company standards. Levi should have addressed this immediately, but then that means profit loss while the correction is going on. At some point, profits will drop from lost sales, and there will be an ad blitz to try to recover. If they wait too long, it will be too late and another iconic company will go down the toilet through outsourcing. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/24 "2013-06-27T16:36:28Z")
Men’s pants from L.L. Bean have a similar issue, except that you’ll also see drastic variations from one fabric color to another within the same line of pants…for instance, their tropic-weight pants in British khaki have a roomy fit with a bit of extra length, while the same size pants in regular khaki are snug and a bit short. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/25 "2013-06-27T16:37:14Z")
I like(d) the Levis “Authentic Signature” line that Target used to sell. They fit me well and were durable. Alas, the Target stores near me stopped carrying them. So I went online and ordered them from Walmart. I ordered 3 pairs, the same size/style/color that I had before, and every pair was just a little bigger and baggier than the ones from Target. Since I’m a little bigger and baggier myself these days, it worked out okay. But I feel like I’m wearing “mom jeans” now. (not that there’s anything wrong with that) ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/26 "2013-06-27T18:03:04Z")
Is it a guy thing, to buy jeans you’ve never tried on? I would \*\*\*never \*\*\*buy a pair of jeans I hadn’t tried on, much as I wouldn’t buy a bra I hadn’t tried. And if I did, and then found it didn’t fit, I’d return it. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/27 "2013-06-27T18:15:14Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Is it a guy thing, to buy jeans you’ve never tried on? I would \*\*\*never \*\*\*buy a pair of jeans I hadn’t tried on, much as I wouldn’t buy a bra I hadn’t tried. And if I did, and then found it didn’t fit, I’d return it. I’ve been buying the same type and size for years. So I just grab the same again and try them on at home. If they don’t fit, then back to the store. The only pants I have issue with are Levi’s. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/28 "2013-06-27T18:38:25Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I’ve always found the thirteen-dollar Kirkland jeans at Costco to be perfectly adequate. Costco/Kirkland jeans are made by Lee. Lee’s equivalent branded (almost identical) jeans sell for about $27-$55. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/29 "2013-06-27T22:07:22Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Is it a guy thing, to buy jeans you’ve never tried on? I would \*\*\*never \*\*\*buy a pair of jeans I hadn’t tried on, much as I wouldn’t buy a bra I hadn’t tried. And if I did, and then found it didn’t fit, I’d return it. Women shop, men replace. My standard wardrobe includes two pair of Levis in good repair (one blue, one black), and when a pair wears out I go and buy the exact same style and size. Since 32" should still be the same, fit shouldn’t be an issue so I skip trying them on. That said, in recent years the trust has gone out of the relationship somewhat - I make sure they fit at home before I remove the tags, as manufacturers have lowered the rise on a lot of wardrobe staples recently, which gets annoying. It used to be they specified low-rise, now a lot of brands just assume. I’ve heard younger motorcycle riders complain about cold air rushing down their pants with low-rise jeans, and the belt loop would be too low to attach your jacket like a normal person. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/30 "2013-06-27T22:17:00Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I’ve always found the thirteen-dollar Kirkland jeans at Costco to be perfectly adequate. I’ll confess to this too. The last pair of Levi’s I bought were paper-thin-- a sad, ersatz replica of the heavy duty, board-stiff jeans I broke in as a kid. No doubt Kirkland jeans are just as sweatshop-sourced, but the quality is closer to the good old Levis I remember than the junk they’re selling as “Levi’s” now. I just wish they didn’t say “KIRKLAND” on the ass-patch. I do have a tiny bit of pride. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/31 "2013-06-28T00:12:07Z")
> [@WolfpackJeep](#): > > Men’s pants from L.L. Bean have a similar issue, except that you’ll also see drastic variations from one fabric color to another within the same line of pants…for instance, their tropic-weight pants in British khaki have a roomy fit with a bit of extra length, while the same size pants in regular khaki are snug and a bit short. Bean’s Women’s pants too. In their khakis I’m a size 8 like most other brands, but in their cords I’m a laughable size 4. I’m so very much _not_ a size 4. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/32 "2013-06-28T02:16:30Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Is it a guy thing, to buy jeans you’ve never tried on? I would \*\*\*never \*\*\*buy a pair of jeans I hadn’t tried on, much as I wouldn’t buy a bra I hadn’t tried. And if I did, and then found it didn’t fit, I’d return it. Oh, it’s not just jeans, at least not for me. In fact, every article of clothing that I wore today was mail-ordered. Yes, even my shoes. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/33 "2013-06-28T02:33:32Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Is it a guy thing, to buy jeans you’ve never tried on? I would \*\*\*never \*\*\*buy a pair of jeans I hadn’t tried on, much as I wouldn’t buy a bra I hadn’t tried. And if I did, and then found it didn’t fit, I’d return it. I don’t usually buy clothes online, but in the case of the Levis Signature Authentics, I previously had five or six pairs from Target that fit me just fine. The ones I bought online were okay but just a little big. If I had gone down a size they would’ve been too small, so I just went with it. By the time I get around to buying more, the sizing will probably have changed again (and I will probably have gained a pound or two) ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/34 "2013-06-28T04:45:05Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > The only size variance I’ve ever encountered is color - my black Levis fit smaller than my blue ones and have for years. Dunno why. I’ve never had a problem with blues in the 20-some years I’ve been buying them. I’ve noticed a similar variance in sizing with color, but in my experience it has been that the darker the denim, the looser the fit. I don’t buy black jeans, so I can’t speak for that. But my best fitting pairs are lighter indigo, the baggiest are darker indigo. Even more annoying to me since I prefer darker. I really need to find a good jeans brand that can actually manage basic QC. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/35 "2013-06-28T04:51:13Z")
> [@TheChileanBlob](#): > > Sorry for the tangent, but are men really wearing [capris](http://us.levi.com/product/index.jsp?productId=16622056&&cp=3146842.18396886.11049777.3146929) now? It says in the description “designed for the urban cyclist”. I can’t imagine men in general starting to wear something so outre (the men I know fret if the pinstripes on a white shirt are too thin or too thick). ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/36 "2013-06-28T04:57:18Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Is it a guy thing, to buy jeans you’ve never tried on? I would \*\*\*never \*\*\*buy a pair of jeans I hadn’t tried on, much as I wouldn’t buy a bra I hadn’t tried. And if I did, and then found it didn’t fit, I’d return it. It’s a guy thing in that you expect, for a certain brand, a given waist and inseam will fit you. Yes, there are differences - Dockers, for example, fit very differently than Levi’s, because Dockers are typically expected to be worn up to the true waist (at your navel or just a bit below) while Levi’s are typically worn today below the waist (closer to the hips.) But in my case, I’ve gone to a B&M store, tried on a pair of Levi’s, found they fit great. Then I order a few more pairs online, same brand number, same size, and they all fit differently. It’s just sloppy manufacturing. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/37 "2013-06-28T05:55:52Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > It says in the description “designed for the urban cyclist”. I can’t imagine men in general starting to wear something so outre (the men I know fret if the pinstripes on a white shirt are too thin or too thick). I’ve seen them in Chicago worn by lots of guys; they’re not much different than the huge baggy jeans shorts you see a lot of guys wearing here that are about as long. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/38 "2013-06-28T07:14:06Z")
> [@Wolf333](#): > > … every article of clothing that I wore today was mail-ordered. Yes, even my shoes. Except for my underwear, every article of clothing that I own was mail-ordered! CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/39 "2013-06-28T11:53:50Z")
Because of this thread, I went out last night and bought two pair of Levi’s. I took a bunch in the changing room and kept the two that fit best. I like the feel of the new fabric! ---
**Author:** ![geneb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a88e4f/32.png) [@geneb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/geneb)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013/40 "2013-06-28T14:30:18Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Why didn’t you just return them? I had already removed the tags and thrown out the receipt the day before when I got home with them as my assumption was that same size + same brand + same style = same fit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-levi-jeans-same-brand-number-same-waist-size-same-inseam-fit-so-differently/662013.md?page=3)