Levi Strauss & Co. review: spandex or lycra in jeans 139

Please, bring back 100% cotton denim jeans. Please. Mid-rise, boot-cut. No Spandex. The only time I can agree that someone should wear spandex is if they are biking or running a marathon. And that is under extreme protest.

Why change a good thing? I hate the spandex jeans there to tight when you put them on and by the end of the day there falling off. Bring back the 100% jeans. Or I will start wearing sweat pants there is no differance!

Send an email to Levi Strauss:
http://us.levi.com/helpdesk/index.jsp?display=store&subdisplay=contact&csEmail

The question is, how do we get Levi to listen? Clearly all of us that remember 100% cotton jeans prefer them to jeans with spandex, but why isn't Levi getting the message? I just bought two pairs of "boyfriend" jeans that are SO cute, if ONLY they were 100% cotton, they would look just like my old 501's! Honestly, money talks, I think the only thing to do is stop buying Levi's that have spandex in them, and bombard Levi Strauss with emails asking for them to give us our old jeans back!

I agree with everyone else. Qeustion, does the Spandex make it cheaper to make or something? I can't stand it! Please go back to your 100% cotton jeans. The Spandex ones, when you sit down they fall down in the back and you end up always pulling them up. They bend where they shouldn't and just all in all do not fit the same as the regular ones. Levi company, get the picture, no one likes your stretchy rubber jeans.

I can't stand spandex/lycra. Years ago I searched all over the internet and drove from store to store looking for 100% cotton jeans. But just like that...poof they were gone. So I caved-in and bought a pair of lycra jeans. That was the only time I wore lycra jeans...Never again! They were ridiculously hot during the summer and, because they were "fit" around my thighs (being the new style), I felt like I was wearing plastic. All I want is 100% cotton jeans...with air flow. It's so bizarre. This shouldn't be some unattainable dream!

AGREED! HATE the current women's Levi's with spandex. In watching women that wear them, they are constantly grabbing at the waist and pulling them up and they make women looks like they have no hiney. No longer can a girl just put on a pair of her 100% cotton Levi's, look great and just be comfortable all day. I finally gave in the other night and bought the men's Levi's. My husband liked them better on me than the yucko women's spandex Levi's. I really miss the real 100% cotton women's Levi 512's. Good to know I'm not alone.

Please bring back the 100% cotton 550 jeans -- I cannot find them anywhere and the spandex does NOT fit right -- they shrink too much in the dryer and then ride up into my rearend to the point where I have to keep pulling them out and down and I look like I am picking my pants. Not to mention the gap at the back of the waistband -- worse when I bend over. My husband can buy 100% cotton Levi's jeans -- why can't I? I say that this is sexual discrimination, ladies -- some MALE designer at Levi's decided that women look better in spandex (yeah, if you are 16 years old and a size 2) -- once again, women are being forced to wear what some idiot designer thinks we should wear and the men can buy and wear what they want.

I have emailed the Levis company and they responded with "sorry". They do not even care! I am searching high and low for a different brand! I have been very loyal to Levis and now I see where loyalty gets us! It makes me sick. I have a pretty decent rear that used to look good in my Levis; now I look like a family has moved out of the seat of my pants even my body hasn't changed. Levis is truly gearing their products to a person who has a big ole J-Lo booty and huge thighs. Levis Company----Go jump in a lake! I will find another brand!

I emailed Levis complaining about the spandex and was told "sorry". They don't even Care! It makes me sick! I have a decent rear that used to look good in my Levis; it seems that they are catering to those who have J-Lo booties ONLY! I hate the new Levis! I am in hot pursuit of another brand! HEY LEVIS____GO JUMP!

OMG, isn't there one clothing manufacturer that doesn't use spandex. I can't find anything without spandex and I just can't wear anything that has spandex in it. Serious skin irritation and itching. I'm desperate!

Whatever happened to women's Wrangler 100% denim jeans? They were the best fitting jeans especially for + sized women. I used to be able to get them at Zellers and Walmart but now they've replaced them with other brands that contain SPANDEX!

Wow. I thought I was alone in my quest for 100% cotton jeans. But it's not just levi, its so many manufacturers. Gap, Dillards, Nordstroms. I went shopping for 100 cotton jeans and all I found was for men. What the...? Makes me mad and don't get me started on the low rise jeans. I mean I don't want the granny jeans but sheesh you know I've had two kids and I don't want my little muffin top squishin out. It's gross. Plus with low rise if your shirts not long enough you show your plumber butt when you bend down. Who the heck thinks that's cute? Ugh. Cotton jeans with a decent rise hold things in better. Not everyone who wears jeans is a teeny teenager who loves showin her belly and her crack. Come on Levis and Gap start making jeans for women!

I am so glad to see I am not alone! I've been trying to find a pair of new levi's without spandex. i ordered a pair that i thought was 100% cotton, but i was dupped. I buy most of my clothes at second hand stores, but all of my jeans have worn out and i'd like a pair that fits right and it going to last a long time. I dont understand the obsession with spandex. The jeans are not as flattering and the 100% cotton. They had a good thing going. Why give it up? I appreciate that some people like the spandex, but why stop offering all 100% cotton women's jeans. Like a previous person wrote. i want a pair of jeans, but not with spandex and i dont want some big company telling me what to wear. So if there's gonna be spandex, then i'm not gonna wear jeans.

I too, totally agree... I have been searching all over for jeans with no spandex. But it seems like we won't get answers. And if they do start offering the "real" jean again, no telling what the cost would be. Would it be the new rich persons jean? Is there a place on this board where they answer anyone back? I would be interested to see what they have to say. Or to see if they even listened to everyone here.

I total agree ! I would like to have 100% cotton jeans back for WOMEN. I receive 3 pair of the 550 with spandex, this christmas and have already sent 2 pair back due to material ripping after washing the only like 5 time. I dont not understand, they are saving money by reducing the cost in materials to make them, but charging more for the product. I would love to contact the manufactors and file a complaint. I am not happy with the changes Levis has made on Womens Jeans.

I'm just about to wear out my last pair with out spandex...I don't know what I'm going to do for jeans. Please make some without spandex and let us know that are without stretch.

Where did the cotton jeans all go? Why not supply those who do NOT like the spandex jeans with a choice in jeans? There is a market out there for cotton jeans---- not doesn't Levis pick up on that and put them back in the stores? Come on Levis... give us what we're looking for!

Agree--no more vanity stretch/sizing--we as a nation are fat b/c our clothes lie.

Stretch makes fat rolls in shirts--even on size 4s.

Agree! 100 percent cotton is better for jeans. Very important--it let's you lie about your gluttony/obesity--before you know it, you've gained weight.
Why are we all fat, even if trying--our clothes lie--the vanity size/stretch. The ONLY people who like stretch--overweight/content being overweight!
No more vanity size or vanity stretch.
Stretch in shirts==belly rolls even if thinnish--ugly to look at. 100 percent cotton--clean and crisp.

I Hate spandex in jeans! Who thought of that idea anyway? Since they have put spandex in Levi jeans I have not bought a pair. It is so hard to find jeans. The 99% to 1% does fit my body style at all. Please bring BACK 100% COTTON LEVI JEANS! I'm glad I'm not alone in this quest to find 100% Levi jeans.

Spandex is NOT a virtue in clothes. It doesn't look right or feel right. And as far as fitting right, I was given two pair as a gift and can't wear either - they slide down while i wear them, ride too high at the waist when I pull them on/up, and make me terribly self-conscious about how ridiculous I look in them. Spandex/Lycra is NOT for everyone. For the ladies out there who enjoy it, more power to ya! For the rest of us - GIVE US BACK OUR JEANS!

Get rid of the spandex. Levis were great before, why did they change. The spandex
is awful in the jeans. The jeans do not fit after just a few hours. The get very stretched out, the almost fall off. The spandex does not wear as well and looks fake in the jeans.
There should at least be a choice for those of us who dont want our pants to fall off.

AGREE TOTALLY... bring back the old jeans, its is a shame. I wore levis for years
and now the same size just does not fit anymore. The spandex makes the jeans
look awful on a thin person. The spandex stretches out after just having them
on a few hours. Some pairs you can actually pull off.

Levi Straus, are you listening? We hate the new fabric! We want 100% cotton!

I am so glad that I found this site where other women feel the same way as I do, SPANDEX IS NOT COMFORTABLE. I WANT COTTON 100%! I have spent two years shopping for jeans and every saleswoman throws her hands up in the air when I ask for cotton jeans. Who decided that all women need spandex to be comfortable? I think these new jeans are itchy and look awful. Oh, now they have a panel across the tummy to make you look thinner. If we had cotton jeans on you would not need the panel, it already holds you in. If it is to save the embarrassment for a female to purchase a larger size than she needs, so these supple pants will allow her to wear a smaller size, I have a bit of advise. Cut the tag out no one will know. I will not buy jeans until we get cotton back on the market. I wore Levi’s since I was a kid and I will wear the worn out ones and let my statement be known as others look at these tattered relics, Levi’s no longer caters to the public and I am stuck with these. All I am asking for is the chance to be able to choose, cotton or stretch.

I AGREE! i HATE stretchy jeans! they just don't feel right! lycra belongs in bathing suits, not jeans! DUH!

a previous poster made a point that i too noticed...MENS' JEANS ARE 100% COTTON! why, why, WHY are women's jeans no longer 100% cotton? i can understand if some women want lycra, but not ALL of us do! how about giving us a choice?!?!

and i REEEEALLY hate the expanded waistbands i seem to find in all jeans these days. every pair of jeans i buy have to be taken in at the waist...this costs me extra money! they fit just fine (relatively speaking, considering the fact that they contain the evil lycra) everywhere else, but have a waistband way out of proportion to the butt and thighs.

none of this makes any sense.

Add me to those who hate the 'new' Levi's 550s. My cotton jeans have seen better days and I've been trying for over a year to replace them without any success. I live in the cold Northeast where I need the cotton jeans of 'yore', not these thin fabrics that don't keep my legs warm. I want my sturdy cotton jeans back. I have emailed Levi's to complain, and am posting everywhere until they hear us!

i hate spandex.i wear asize 9/10 evertime i get a pair they streach out and fall off, they look bad.i like 100% cotton.i am a woman in my 50, s but i love my blue jeans. the waist is another thing ever time you bend over your crack shows they are so low. you know us older gals love our jeans too.com on make us some jeans at the waist or just a tiny bit lower not so low the top of your privet parts show.stop with the spandex, let the good times roll again for us older chicks too. bring levis back to the u.s. give our country the work .belive me the jeans will be made better., even if we have to pay more, it will be worth it for they different, s it will make.thank you

Why do men continue to add spandex women's jeans? I totally like my cotton jeans 100% and the ones that fit at the waist not under the belly. Levi's use to be the jeans to wear now they lowered their standard for cheap fabric cut with a synthetic material that SUCKS! Bring back the waist and ALL cotton! Now that is sexxy! not trashy!

I too am looking for the 550's in 100% cotton. I'm a size 6, but had to buy the 512's in a size 8 because otherwise my "goodies" feel on display! Even with the 8, if I crouch down or anything, I have to adjust the pant legs down. My old Levi's are wearing completely out!
Spandex is NOT flattering, and if you think it makes you look good, and you are above a size 4, then you need to get your eyes checked or buy a full-length mirror! Not to mention that the jeans a much thinner now, so they don't last as long, nor do they provide enough protection in the cold. Yeah, try slipping thermals under spandex...good luck with that!

They had Made in USA pride in them

I agree with the spandex haters, I have goten the classice 550 100% cotton jeans since I was a teenager and I can't find any jeans that will ever fit me the way the old ones did, please bring back the 100% cotton 550's, we have all been faithful fans and Levis really let us down !

Went shopping today for four hours and the only pair of jeans that were 100% cotton had the "worn" look with holes in them! Went over to the mens section in Sears and...Tada! 100% cotton! Seriously, why discontinue ALL cotton jeans? And to the woman who wears a size 10...the spandex fits...until you start moving around, then it gets loose and loses the look that I like...and the fit! I have about six pairs of jeans with spandex in them from when they first became hot years ago...and they all fit me horrendously! BRING BACK 100% COTTON JEANS!

I completely agree and want my old Levis back! I can't find 100% cotton jeans anywhere and hate the gaping spandex. They don't fit right and actually grow larger as the day goes on. I need a belt to keep them tight around my waist and then later in the day, it gaps too. I bought a size too small to try to fix the gaping and that didn't work either. I am now 39 and have worn 100% cotton Levi's since high school and am lost without those sexy jeans. Please bring my jeans back!

OK I got my LLBean jeans in the mail today...and they're fantastic! Real soft 100% cotton jeans! I got the relaxed fit but I just ordered the "natural" fit now...I got the relaxed fit because I expected the jeans to fit like the Levi's jeans with the spandex...but they're looser than I want them to be. I'm keeping them anyway and getting another pair in the "natural fit" style. Supposedly they're alittle more fitted in the thighs...not slim, but not baggy either. I LOVE these jeans! Size 16 Levi's don't fit me anymore...but the size 14 100% cotton LLBean ones are so comfortable...not tight at all. I can't say enough about them! Finally I'm happy with my jeans again!

I FOUND 100% COTTON JEANS! They have them at LLBEAN! They have both the stretch denim AND 100% cotton denim jeans! I don't know how they fit but I just ordered myself the relaxed fit ones. They have a few different styles...classic, natural, relaxed, and I forget what else but I think there's one more style. They have tapered ankles too which is really hard to find...instead of those wide boot cut ones! I'll let you know if they're as good as the old 100% cotton levi jeans! Go for it, ladies!

Spandex is the only this that makes jeans bearable! Otherwise, unless they're baggy, they bind and chafe and hurt!

100% cotton jeans can be worn just as tightly as the ones with spandex but the spandex clings or something. It's unnatural! lol I hate it! I'm still searching for 100% cotton jeans and it has nothing to do with weight gain. I LOVE my cotton levi's but they're really shabby now. I'm now having trouble finding cordorouy pants without spandex! Why is it that men's jeans and cordorouys are 100% cotton? I tried Levi's for men and the waist is too big for me. I need the room in the hips but have a tiny waist. I would love a "retro" 100% cotton jeans to come out, even if for a limited time! I'll by a dozen!

Fine, if you want your clothes to mimic a girdle wear spandex, but please provide something for those of us who prefer comfort and natural fibers. Girdles were just going out of style when I was in my teens. I dodged that bullet only to find myself at an age where wearing skin-tight clothing is unfair to humanity and the only pants I can find contain spandex.

Can't tell you how glad I am to find this spot--also thought I was alone. I HATE spandex--in anything. Even silk blouses have it now. Spent a week going to every department store and boutique--online and brick & mortar--to find a pair of dress slacks sans spandex for an important interview--found one poorly fitted pair for $200 (on sale!) that had to be altered. Been trying to find jeans without spandex for a couple of years now. My real jeans are dying their final death. I suspect clothiers add rubber as a "filler"--and yes, they do it so that it wears out faster, then hype it to the hilt to convince the trendy ones that it's "in". It feels terrible, doesn't drape or wear well, and looks like s**t. The petroleum industry is making a killing.