Stitches in Time I: Vintage Levi's Denim Jacket

In 1975, while living in Bluebird Canyon, Laguna Beach California – yes it was/is as beautiful as it sounds – I traded an even older Levi’s jacket for what at the time was this close-to-new model. As I recall the switcheroo, there may have been quite a sizing differential, since my local-surfer roommate at the time was at least 30 lbs lighter than me. Okay, call it 40. I’m thinking that his girlfriend had probably bought the wrong, much larger size for him.

I wore this in Southern California canyon winters over a shirt to stay warm – yes, there were/are seasons there, folks – but also to work and the beach in summer. Later, while living in San Francisco, I sometimes wore it in summer under an old herringbone tweed jacket. Twain was right about San Francisco summers.

It has been some years since I was able to actually button this jacket; however, certain other female members of the family have enjoyed using it.

Do I harbor hopes of actually being able to properly wear this jacket again one day? Hardly, but that doesn’t mean that I should part with it. It’s a piece of personal history as well as being an iconic piece American design and style history.

Besides, there’s anther generation in the family coming along soon and she/he might find it useful, not to mention, valuable some day.

Until then, I’m holding on to it.