Levis- Is it what it used to be?

v1p3r · 20th August 2009, 00:38

Indian domestic market Levi's is absolutely horrible these days. They wear out very quick and the fit is atrocious. Certain factories in India still make very good Levi's, but for export only.

Benetton makes some very good jeans, around the same price. Their fit is great, if you find what you're looking for. Not being a denim major, they may often not stock what you want. I haven't been to Lee in years, but they seem to be doing ok. Pepe's standards have fallen -- they used to be really good at one time.

Gansan, you are not paying for just a brand. You are also paying for MS Dhoni's motorcycles, his latest Hummer, and other such accoutrements.

techn0l0gist · 21st August 2009, 11:38

bump - anyone get any comments from anyone at levis?

hyd_traveller · 21st August 2009, 12:24

Levis and Wrangler are the original 2 brands for Indians and the quality of both have not gone down.

It is just that they have started a concept similiar to Maruti's LX, LXi, VX and VXi.

In India they are selling only LX quality since the other models would not be affordable in India.

I am into Wranglers since 1975 (as compared to Levis because Wranglers fit me better).

I recently picked up a bunch of jeans and shorts from the discount sale counter of Walmart in USA and the quality of denim and the stitching is class apart from what they sell in India. I did pick up Levis also for other family members and the same applies for them also.

Another difference is that in India they will alter the fitting for you but in USA either they fit or they do not fit - you only get factory manufactured stuff.

Get friends and relatives to bring you the jeans from USA. The person buying will need to know the waist, the in-seam length and the total length for getting you a perfect fit. Also the person needs to carry a measurement tape since those are not available in the stores in USA.

Mr_Bean · 21st August 2009, 16:12

I stick to L531 under the Levis range, I paid 2500/- for my jean last year & what I got was torn back-pocket within in the first week due to my purse. I keep coins, credit cards, visiting cards & ofcourse money.

Nowadays the quality has come down a lot where from the looks it would be difficult to believe if it is really Levis. The american levis are long lasting, the inside cloth of the pocket has the symbol printed which is missing on all indian levis.

diabloo · 21st August 2009, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Bean

L531 torn the very next day.

Another Skoda in the making

Mr_Bean · 21st August 2009, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by diabloo

Another Skoda in the making

Imagine if Skoda launches a brand of jeans which requires frequent servicing of the back pocket and the zip. Then we will have cases like "I gave my jean for service and they put a faulty zip".

"I brought a brand new jean, the zip failed the very next day"

Please Note - I don't intend to insult any Skoda owners here.

Raccoon · 21st August 2009, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyd_traveller

In India they are selling only LX quality since the other models would not be affordable in India.

Even if it is LX quality, the price is not justified. You can get cheaper yet better stuff with other brands.

SirAlec · 21st August 2009, 18:30

do they by any chance outsource these to smaller cheaper company. and just add the their name on it.

sammyboy · 21st August 2009, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Bean

Imagine if Skoda launches a brand of jeans which requires frequent servicing of the back pocket and the zip. Then we will have cases like "I gave my jean for service and they put a faulty zip".

"I brought a brand new jean, the zip failed the very next day"

Please Note - I don't intend to insult any Skoda owners here.

lol, nice one. I hope the buttons dont fall of from my 501's.

harry10 · 21st August 2009, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyboy

lol, nice one. I hope the buttons dont fall of from my 501's.

Well i am wearing a 501 in office today(being a friday), let me tighten the belt a bit in case the buttons do fall

btw i like 501's better than the red loop's i got.

sammyboy · 21st August 2009, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by harry10

Well i am wearing a 501 in office today(being a friday), let me tighten the belt a bit in case the buttons do fall

btw i like 501's better than the red loop's i got.

lol, same pinch. I am wearing one to office as well

Yeah, had gone to check the 501's last weekend and didnt like a single one.
They have come up with the wierdest looking ones these days, plus the fit is also not as good now.

harry10 · 21st August 2009, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyboy

lol, same pinch. I am wearing one to office as well

Yeah, had gone to check the 501's last weekend and didnt like a single one.
They have come up with the wierdest looking ones these days, plus the fit is also not as good now.

I agree.
This is the one i bought last year and though i like it i certainly dont love it like the old jeans i use to.

OT- Which other brands are good in terms of fit and quality if we buy from india.
I had tried UCB(nice but not great)

fiery enzyme · 21st August 2009, 19:32

[quote=harry10;1444049OT- Which other brands are good in terms of fit and quality if we buy from india.
I had tried UCB(nice but not great)[/quote]

There is a brand called Colt that I recently discovered. I like them and they are pretty affordable to. I guess there are no more "MAN" jeans available. Everything is available for for everyone nowadays.

In college I used to wear a brand called Infinity. But I can't find them nowadays. They had very good fit. I think of the lot I stick to Lee nowadays.

yogesh · 21st August 2009, 20:05

Any opinion on Guess jeans?

harry10 · 21st August 2009, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by yogesh

Any opinion on Guess jeans?

Good but quiet expensive. 5-6k for a pair of jeans is not VFM by any means.

20th August 2009, 00:38	#61
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,355 Thanked: 7,294 Times View My Garage	Indian domestic market Levi's is absolutely horrible these days. They wear out very quick and the fit is atrocious. Certain factories in India still make very good Levi's, but for export only. Benetton makes some very good jeans, around the same price. Their fit is great, if you find what you're looking for. Not being a denim major, they may often not stock what you want. I haven't been to Lee in years, but they seem to be doing ok. Pepe's standards have fallen -- they used to be really good at one time. Gansan, you are not paying for just a brand. You are also paying for MS Dhoni's motorcycles, his latest Hummer, and other such accoutrements.
	() Thanks

21st August 2009, 11:38	#62
techn0l0gist BHPian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 364 Thanked: 89 Times	bump - anyone get any comments from anyone at levis?
	() Thanks

21st August 2009, 12:24	#63
hyd_traveller BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: "Luck-City", TS Posts: 748 Thanked: 398 Times	Levis and Wrangler are the original 2 brands for Indians and the quality of both have not gone down. It is just that they have started a concept similiar to Maruti's LX, LXi, VX and VXi. In India they are selling only LX quality since the other models would not be affordable in India. I am into Wranglers since 1975 (as compared to Levis because Wranglers fit me better). I recently picked up a bunch of jeans and shorts from the discount sale counter of Walmart in USA and the quality of denim and the stitching is class apart from what they sell in India. I did pick up Levis also for other family members and the same applies for them also. Another difference is that in India they will alter the fitting for you but in USA either they fit or they do not fit - you only get factory manufactured stuff. Get friends and relatives to bring you the jeans from USA. The person buying will need to know the waist, the in-seam length and the total length for getting you a perfect fit. Also the person needs to carry a measurement tape since those are not available in the stores in USA.
	() Thanks

21st August 2009, 16:12	#64
Mr_Bean BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 894 Thanked: 241 Times View My Garage	L531 torn the very next day I stick to L531 under the Levis range, I paid 2500/- for my jean last year & what I got was torn back-pocket within in the first week due to my purse. I keep coins, credit cards, visiting cards & ofcourse money. Nowadays the quality has come down a lot where from the looks it would be difficult to believe if it is really Levis. The american levis are long lasting, the inside cloth of the pocket has the symbol printed which is missing on all indian levis.
	() Thanks

21st August 2009, 18:30	#68
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,395 Thanked: 727 Times	do they by any chance outsource these to smaller cheaper company. and just add the their name on it.
	() Thanks

21st August 2009, 19:32	#73
fiery enzyme BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: TN 01 Posts: 413 Thanked: 27 Times View My Garage	[quote=harry10;1444049OT- Which other brands are good in terms of fit and quality if we buy from india. I had tried UCB(nice but not great)[/quote] There is a brand called Colt that I recently discovered. I like them and they are pretty affordable to. I guess there are no more "MAN" jeans available. Everything is available for for everyone nowadays. In college I used to wear a brand called Infinity. But I can't find them nowadays. They had very good fit. I think of the lot I stick to Lee nowadays.
	() Thanks

21st August 2009, 20:05	#74
yogesh BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tuty Posts: 32 Thanked: 0 Times	Any opinion on Guess jeans?
	() Thanks