Fact: Although finding a perfect pair of vintage Levi’s 501s is like the fashion equivalent of love at first sight – it rarely happens, if ever – we will continue searching. Especially today, when the 501s pseudo-Mom shape looks so flattering (again, and suddenly), and models like Noot Seear are wearing it instead of a standard, model-off-duty skinny.
And what better time and place to photograph Vancouver-born Noot, née Renata, in her favorite 501s than during spring’s peak in NYC? Her style: cropped (on top and at her ankles). Her palette: a mix of pink and and well-worn blue (jeans and Converse All Stars, both). In Central Park, where Kava Gorna took these pictures last week, the flowers are already fading. But Noot and her 501s – “a gift from a lost love,” she told us – are just getting started…
Can you sum up these jeans for us in one word?
Experienced.
What do you need your jeans to be, always?
Size 27
If they could talk, what would they ask of you?
They’d probably say, “Wash me!”
Was there ever a pair that got away? When? How?
My sister visits me just to jean shop in my closet. I lost a pair of faded grey Habituals to this sister ninja once.
Click on an image to see the slideshow
Was there ever a pair you should have broken up with sooner?
I think jeans are done when both knees rip all the way across the front. I sometimes try to wear them like that, but I think it looks sloppy.
Tell us about your top 3 jeans of all time. When did you get them and what do you love most about each?
No. 1: Larame flares – they were the perfect fit and came in brand-new, dark, stretch denim, and I wore them ’til they were thin, light, and soft. No. 2: A pair of Habituals with the crosses on the back pockets. I made them into jean shorts when the knees gave out. No. 3: A pair of Earl straight-legs – they were so well-made, it took a while for me to break them in. But it was worth it when I did.
What are the first jeans you ever had, or remember having, if different from any you listed above.
I once loved this jean company Larame. They were based in Vancouver and they made awesome jeans and giant raver pants. I don’t know what happened to the ones I had, but I wore those jeans to death.
Who besides you has worn the jeans you wore for our shoot?
My sister.
What do you love most about them?
They are very adaptable for different occasions.
Any denim DIY tricks?
I used to turn jeans into mini skirts by cutting up the inseams of the legs and sewing them back together in the front and back. I think I still have a few of those kicking around.
How many pairs of jeans do you need to feel satisfied and like you have enough?
One good pair is usually enough, but I like to have at least three or four back-up pairs. One skinny, two non-stretch straight-legs, and one bleached, crazy pair. I’m usually in the process of breaking in a new pair. I hate pre-faded jeans. They should come new.
What do your jeans reveal about the way that you live on a daily basis?
I need to have a bag packed, and they need to be ready to walk out the door with me at any moment.
Click on an image to see the slideshow
On what occasion will only a pair of jeans do?
Any music festival, when camping. Only jeans will hold up after the first day and not look dirty.
If you had to replace all of your jeans with something else – what would it be?
Knitted onesies made of cashmere.
Fill in the blank: Without my jeans, I am…
Naked.
In my jeans, I am…
Ready for adventure.