These rare (and very popular) Levi’s 501s are a snapshot of apparel history

Levi’s just recreated one of the rarest models of its most iconic jeans, and they’re a relic of a crucial moment in garment design history. The jeans, Levi’s 1942 501s, document a short-lived period of the brand’s history around America’s entry into WWII, when rationing would fundamentally change the construction of its jeans. Levi’s recreation was spearheaded by Levi’s Vintage Clothing (LVC), the brand’s heritage-focused arm, and encompasses an exact replica of the jeans—from the weight of the…