You know your dream pair of vintage jeans are out there—the kind that would make you do a double take at your own rear, that have a perfect washed-out fade, and give off a ridiculously cool-girl vibe. But alas, sourcing them is frustratingly elusive. Since some of the best vintage pairs are made by Levi’s, we figured we’d go straight to the source to help make your quest just a bit easier. We talked to Levi’s Global Vice President of Women's Design, Jill Guenza, to find out which cut is the most flattering for different body types. This way, when searching for your own pair, you can come armed with your preferred cut in mind, say 505, which will hopefully make it simpler to weed through all the options, and locate your perfect pair. Since there are so many cuts out there, we kept it straightforward, and limited it to two easily findable Levi’s styles.
Whether you have a curvy or straight shape, scroll down to see which cut will make your body look its best.
“The 501 is the best vintage jean for a pear-shaped or hourglass-shaped body. The waist is smaller and pitched lower in the front and higher in the back, giving extra coverage in the seat. Plus, the anti-fit properties [meaning that it’s not a fitted style, and a fuller figure fills out the jeans] of the 501 make a full seat look super hot. Originally intended as the working man’s jean, the 501 is also cut with a little more room in the thigh, making this a great choice for women with fuller thighs.” - Jill Guenza, Levi’s Global Vice President of Women's Design
Shop our Levi's 501 Picks:
Levi’s Vintage Clothing 501 Jeans ($90)
Urban Renewal Washed-Out Destroyed Levi’s 501 Jeans ($89)
Levi’s Vintage Clothing 1954 501 Jeans ($165)
Related: You Won't Catch French Girls Wearing These Jeans
Levi’s 501 Original Jeans ($88)
Levi’s Moto 501 Jeans ($182)
“The 505 is great for women with fewer curves through the seat and hips and slender legs. It has a lower rise than the 501, is a bit more square on the top, and has a slim, straight fit from the thigh to the ankle. It also has a zip fly, as opposed to the button fly on the 501, which keeps everything smooth and held in. It has just the right amount of anti-fit to give flatter seats a little boost.” - Jill Guenza, Levi’s Global Vice President of Women's Design
Shop our Levi's 505 Picks:
Levi’s Vintage 505 Customised Boyfriend Jeans ($240)
Levi’s 505 Straight Fit Jeans ($45)
Levi’s Vintage Clothing Black 1967 Customised 505 Jeans ($150)
Levi’s Vintage Denim 505 Customised Boyfriend Jeans ($290)
Levi's 505 Jeans ($125)
Which Levi's style do you prefer, the 505 or 501? Let us know in the comments below!
-
I Thought White Jeans Were Just a Summer Staple, But Then These 5 Chic Winter-Ready Outfits Proved Me WrongYes, really.
-
Jeans *Technically* Go With Everything, But I Find They Look Chicest With This Classic KnitA simply perfect combination.
-
Fashion People in Copenhagen Are Wearing These 5 Shoes With Jeans LatelyDenim with an unexpected twist.
-
You May Disagree, But We Think These 6 Jeans Trends Are Outdated for Autumn 2025Our editors have spoken.
-
According to Alexa Chung, "Skinny Jeans Feel Right Again"—Her Flat-Shoe Choice Makes Them Look ChicI'm ready to embrace them, too.
-
It’s Not Winter Yet, But Zara Just Dropped Every Chic Cold-Weather Trend—4 Pieces That Will Go FirstBring on the chill.
-
I'm a Gen Z Fashion Editor, and Everyone I Follow on Instagram Is Suddenly Wearing This Niche Jeans-and-Flats FormulaYou heard it here first!
-
7 Stylish Jackets Fashion People Will Be Wearing With Their Favourite Jeans This WinterCombos to copy.
