Buy & Sell
The core philosophy is minimum intervention. Treating vintage Levis like modern jeans — machine washing and tumble drying — accelerates shrinkage, fading, and damage to tabs and seams. Pre-1981 selvedge denim is especially delicate; careful handling directly maintains condition. Collector pieces are often stored unworn, but even wearable pieces ideally should be washed no more than once or twice monthly. Since condition correlates directly to value, proper care is inseparable from preserving the asset's worth.
DO: hand wash in cold to 30°C water with gentle pressing motion; use neutral or denim-specific detergent; wash inside out (reduces fading); rinse thoroughly. DON'T: regular machine wash cycle (damages fabric); hot water (causes shrinkage); bleach (harms color); fabric softener (alters texture); vigorous wringing (damages seams); extended soaking. For deadstock collector pieces or exceptional-condition items, avoid washing entirely whenever possible.
Drying: shade-dry only (sunlight causes fading and degradation); never use a dryer (major shrinkage risk); keep inside out while drying; dry completely (damp storage causes mold). Long-term storage: maintain 50–60% humidity; store away from light in a dark location; hang rather than fold (prevents creasing); keep moth repellents from direct contact (causes discoloration); ventilate periodically. Leather patch care: avoid rain (water deforms leather); prevent excessive dryness (causes cracking); apply thin leather conditioner for deterioration concerns. Red tab: avoid excessive pulling; regularly check seams for loosening.
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