There are plenty of ways that Levi’s is tailoring its approach to life circa 2011. The heritage American denim label is pushing made-in-America options; eco-friendly, low-water production processes; and even, in a savvy move for the fixed-gear set, debuting a Commuter jean aimed at the biking class—one with 3M reflective tape details for safety, stretch for mobility, a cropped length for easy pedaling, and stain-resistant fabrics to fight the grit. But, following the lead of the last few seasons of designer denim, the company is looking to the past for some of its styling cues—specifically, the flared, seventies past. In fairness, no one’s got a better archive to draw upon. To create the patch-pocketed, slightly slouchy flared style at left, one that is a major focus of the Fall offering, house designers went back to the original 1970’s styles. The result looks totally today.
—Matthew Schneier
Photo: Phillip Angert PHotography / Courtesy of Levi’s