What is the difference between Levi's 501xx and 501?

501xx are cooler because x's are cool.

the xx are shrink to fit. I think. someone else on here can answer this better than me, Mr Forecasting Guy to thread.

smoooove de'nimes to thread!

isn't it s'posed to be a non-fit: too big, baggy shape??

i actually have a pair of 501xx's. they're the bomb. found them by a fluke. i've called levi strauss, inc. in san francisco, california and, of course, these jeans are no longer made. women, like myself are faced with either buying low or super-low cut, stretch levi's. that's it. go ahead and go with what's trendy but leave us the choice of all or most of the original levi's, for god's sake!

good question.

501s are pre-washed/pre-shrunk denim meaning that the waist/inseam sizes listed on the leatherlike label are true to size.

501XXs are rigid/unwashed denim that shrinks when washed, the waist/inseam sizes listed on the leatherlike are true in the condition purchased and (dependent upon your size) will shrink 1-3 inches when washed.

if buying second hand, always ask the clerk for a tape measure to accurately measure the waist/inseam. if possible, try on to insure proper fit.

501XX are the original denim jean, the preshrunk/prewashed jeans that are very commonplace these days are a more modern invention (35-40 years old).

and wait a sec, 501XXs are definitely still being made (they are the best selling pants on the planet!), who on earth did you talk to?

Levi's 501xx are the best jeans I know. They are made of raw stiff unshrinked denim and it will shrink a lot when washed.
I treat them as follows: wear it al least for half a year rigid and undwashed, hanging outside to get fresh. After 6 months I jump for half an hour in the sea and let it dry on my body. Or I'll take a bath for the same time. The 501xx gets thereafter very beautiful and you can live a long life in it. (after 5 year I had to patch one 501xx, has now become a very nice patched jeans, also love to wear those worn and heavily patched 501xx).
I cannot buy those shrink-to-fit 501xx in the Netherland, but I order them by internet or via Ebay (my last 501xx was only $10.00 on Ebay, how cheap). I prefer USA-made 501xx's.