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

what is #039?

I don't want jeans that fit like a man, I want women's jeans that are 100% cotton. No muffin top here.
I did get a response from Levi's, but it was mostly along the lines of "We'll tell the people in charge, and why don't you look at our 100% cotton jeans." Which were HIDEOUS - boyfriend jeans (baggy-[censor], rolled-up cuffs, nothing close to what I'm looking for) and mom-jeans (high-waisted, tapered leg). WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY THINKING?

Obviously you don't know quality. Spandex is junk.

if you want jeans that fit like a mans, buy mans jeans! Personally, I like the curves that only spandex can impart. I also like the great fit and the comfort. If they get rid of spandex in jeans, I will be wearing stretch pants then. I remember the early 80s befor spandex and it wasnt pretty. Leave your muffin top at home ladies...

It's bad enough that I'll be 62 years old. Now I can't even find a pair of jeans that I like anymore. I'm 5'3" tall and weigh about 130 lbs so I am not that fat. I want my levi strauss 550's in 100% cotton. What is wrong with that? I haven't bought jeans in ages because of this factor. I never realized before why all the jeans I try on lately make me look so horrible. Thanks to this board I now know why. Spandex sucks. I want my jeans back!

It's not perfect, but it's an option: http://www.501usa.com/501_woman/125010036.htm

SO glad to find all you Spandex-haters (like ME!) out there! I've been looking for a pair of size 10 100% cotton women's jeans and they just don't exist! I'm heartbroken. I left feedback on the Levi's site, but now that i see this chain has been going on for 4 years, I'm not hopeful of a good outcome any time soon. Each of you has made a point that I was going to make, so I won't repeat, but will say... I AGREE! Misery loves company, but I'd rather have a pair of 100% cotton jeans :(

I am not plus size, just a regular women who hates spandex and Lycra! I want the fat on my thighs contained a little! Not allowed to stretch out and relax for the world to see, if I wanted that, I'd wear a skirt!

The only 100% cotton jeans left are "Mom Jeans". The jeans with spandex are for comfort and nothing else. 100% cotton jeans were so much more flattering. Why can't both be made available? Spandex jeans are nothing but sweat pants that look like jeans. I agree with ArtTart! Listen to us! We want ALL COTTON...100% COTTON!

We need people to start listening to us. There are now a few cotton jeans at LLBean but they're too BIG! Why can't we get fashionable jeans in ALL COTTON! I've worked hard to keep my size down and now everything has been sized up to fit others. It's not fair!

I agree with every comment. Spandex sucks! It doesn't "hold in" anything as it claims, & the "they are sooo comfortable" claims are because the stretch so far out of shape, they look like sweat pants. They are not flattering, they're hot, HATE SPANDEX! I am now looking for men's jeans so I can buy 100% cotton. Wonder what bonehead man made the spandex decision on behalf of all women. I agree...we could at least be given a choice of one or the other. WISE UP LEVIS!...from a former loyal customer.

I am so happy to know that other women feel the same way. I have been looking for all cotton denim levis but there are none to be had. Why don't the men have to wear levis with spandex? Spandex in jeans is one of the worst things ever in the fashion industry. Does anyone know where to buy "real" levis?

Totally agree with you on the "NO SPANDEX"
I wear an 8 jean and always have .
I HATE the spandex in jeans... Lucky Brand still makes one pair called Easy Rider or Classic Rider cant remeber which with no spandex other then that I don't know of any maker of 100% cotton denim jeans.
I'm tired of looking like I'm wearing denim leggings not attractive but on 1% of the population? admit it or not! :o)
I just went to Joes, True Religion, AG, and I can't find a bootcut in 100% denim

I totally agree. I am so sick of spandex and lycra. It feels like I have a girdle on. I hate these jeans these days. I also have to go to the Good Will to find jeans I used to love like Levi's and Gap "boyfriend" bootcut jeans. The ones I have are so faded and I still wear them. I have bought mens jeans; but they have a little pouch in the front fly area for men. Is there a website where people can still purchase older vintage 100 percent cotton jeans? I'd be willing to pay a decent price for them if there was. Spandex feels terrible and gaps everywhere plus creates a muffin top. I don't know what is wrong with these designers. I'm in my early 50's and I miss them as much as bottled soda. (that's another complaint).

I am so happy to find so many people who hate spandex in their clothes (jeans, shirts, sweaters, skirts, even cargo pants now...). It is almost impossible to go shopping anymore; I have very few clothes either. It is outrageous that spandex has been forced on everyone. I ask in the stores for 100% cotton jeans, and all the employees act surprised when they help me for 5-10 minutes trying to find them and cannot. It is as if they do not work with clothes all day to know. For those attacking people for wanting a real choice (not $70 {and way, way beyond} jeans online that you cannot try on before you buy them), you do not have to worry, we will still see your butt cracks when you bend over and every aspect of your body while you wear the rougher, flimsier, and more easily warped 1-2% cotton jeans. I am going to start writing to every company where I cannot find 100% cotton, or 100% ANYTHING. Soon 100% of any fabric and any type of clothing will be obsolete. We do not want the cheap stuff, we certainly pay enough for it. And I no longer want to spend hours shopping and come up with one thing, or nothing at the end of the day. I find my time a little more valuable than that.

I'm so happy to find so many people who hate spandex in their clothes (jeans, shirts, sweaters, skirts, even cargo pants now...). It is almost impossible to go shopping anymore; I have very few clothes either. It is outrageous that spandex has been forced on everyone. I ask in the stores for 100% cotton jeans, and all the employees act surprised when they help me for 5-10 minutes trying to find them and can't. It's as if they don't work with clothes all day to know. For those attacking people for wanting a real choice (not $70 {and way, way beyond} jeans online that you can't try on before you buy them), you don't have to worry, we'll still see your butt cracks when you bend over and every aspect of your body while you wear the rougher, flimsier, and more easily warped 1-2% cotton jeans. I'm going to start writing to every company where I can't find 100% cotton, or 100% ANYTHING. Soon 100% of any fabric and any type of clothing will be obsolete. We don't want the cheap stuff, we certainly pay enough for it.

I recieved an e-mail from Levi's this morning after submitting a complaint and was advised of 100% cotton levi's called renew that are available today in direct response to all the complaints about spandex and women wanting the cotton 550's back. There is only the one color, but I was told if they sell like hot cakes other colors will be made available! They are on the levi.com website for $40...go get em girls.

I totally agree SPANDEX SUCKS! Why couldn't they have made spandex but also have kept 100% cotton. That has been around forever but one day someone felt like lets make spandex forget all those people that don't like it or the people that it makes itch! I have to shop at resale kind of stores and ebay in hopes of finding 100% cotton. I wish the makers of pants and jeans would get enough complaints and maybe someday SOON 100% cotton will come back!PLEASE I am allergic to the spandex need 100%!

Agree Agree Agree! I have purchased 5 new pair of Levi jeans over the last two years and every one of them does not fit after two or three washings like it did in the store. I either want the 100% cotton Levi's back, or nothing. And NOT just the 501's either! I won't buy any more jeans with spandex/lycra stretchy whatever's in them. I hope some manufacturer jumps on this market and makes them like they used to!

What doesn't Levi-strauss undestand when people say they do not like spandex or lycra in blue jeans? I've worn Levi 505 tapered leg, 100%cotton most of my life and now I have to wear plain 100% cotton pants. Levi-strauss has been around for as long as I can remember, I'm now middle age and you will no doubt be out of business or 1/4 the company you were when you were a good, reliable company. I know cotton is getting scarce or so I've heard but with a company your size it shouldn't be too difficult to get as much as you want. I've noticed the shortages of cotton in other types of clothing such as shirts and blouses with the sleeves just below the elbow or no sleeves at all and I also watch and know they are still hanging on the wrack at the end of the season.

JLR8, 100% cotton jeans have always been just right for me. They don't "stretch" the way lycra does - but it's like wearing a t-shirt made of 100% cotton - it gives and, yet, keeps its shape without the obvious stretch and it doesn't feel as though you are wearing plastic. The one time that I wore lycra jeans, I had the same problem that you have described. I had to wash/dry them in order for them to stay-put on my body. After that initial moment, they would start to fall down again...very annoying and el cheapo material concept. I so miss 100% cotton jeans! They really were the best. And I miss the variety of stylish syles that they were once in.

Just a quick question. Everytime I buy a pair of jeans they look good for the first time of wearing them but then they stretch and i need to wash them again for them to fit properly. Should I buy 100% cotton. The jeans I have got always have spandex or elastane in them. I have never worn 100% cotton jeans before. Do you they stretch like the others or will they fit properly? PLEASE HELP ME!

I am in total agreement with all of you. I have been losing weght like mad. I need another pair of jeans. I thought my only choice was spandex in my jeans because of my weight (80lbs down so far). I stumbled across a pair without spandex. They are much more flattering, hold there shape and are comfortable. Now I can't find a thing that hasn't got spandex. I design clothes for myself, just hate making jeans, looks like that's where it's headed after reading what you all are saying.

I know I am joining this late, but I'm ticked off about it too! Can't Oprah jump in and do something about the jeans we wear before she goes of the air?

You tell'm Wendykaye!

YEAH!

OMG I'm not the only one! Anyone who thinks stretch jeans are flattering is fooling themselves into believing what the mfgr wants them to believe. Stretch jeans do NOT support a tummy, do NOT lift the butt, do NOT firm anything. In fact, wherever your flaws are, spandex will redflag those areas like a lit up Christmas tree in the desert. Cotton gives where you need them to give and "STAYS THERE", creating the perfect jeans for your body. Spandex gives everywhere, causing them to slide down your butt everytime you bend over, thus, making you feel like you are constantly having to ADJUST. I am not a plus size, in fact I wear a size 2 in AE jeans and haven't looked good in a pair of denim since they made it impossible to find non-stretch. I can't remember the last time I didn't need the assistance of a belt to keep from showing my butt crack. Unless you wear them so skin tight that you can't breath, your rear end is destined to look like a piece of flatbread. YOU'RE NOT FOOLING EVERYONE! "PREMIUM MY SAGGY REAR END", Spandex is cheaper than cotton and looks cheap! End of story...

YIPPY! I email Levi and got an answer...100% cotton jeans will be back spring 2011 Thank You Levi Strauss.

I have been a diehard Levi's fan for 25 years but have recently started looking to by another brand because of the spandex that is being used in the construction. I have always bought Levi's for all my children as well because they were sturdy jeans that held up well, but no longer. The spandex creates weak areas in the material. Back in the old denim only days if you got a hole in your jeans they still lasted for a long, long time and you hated to give them up. These days, when my Levi's get a tear or hole near the pockets in the back, the tiny hole doesn't stay tiny. Because of the spandex in the material, the whole rips half the length of the jeans. You can't even use this type of material to patch up other jeans because it is not sturdy.

I know that Levi's began as a work jean and turned into a fashion jean but it is because of the sturdy quality that people were willing to pay the price for them. Now when I pay a high price for Levi's they are made of partial spandex and not sturdy at all. I also DO NOT WANT them to fit every crease and crevice of my body for heavens sake! I like my jeans to have structure and create a shape, not look like it is trying to suffocate my body with a bread sack.
Over the past five years it is apparent that Levis is trying to stay current with the style but they have done so at the high sacrafice of quality.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE bring back the real denim! Use spandex in one of your lines if you must but PLEASE bring back the DENIM! If not, I will not be purchasing any more Levi's jeans. I was so loyal too. I am going to miss you.

I agree with many, many of the complaints: 550s were much better when they were 100% cotton. I have been patching my old 550s, and I have to replace them. I am angry: I do not want spandex, I do not want skinny, I do not want jeans that gap at my lower back. I want a solid work pant. I used to have the old ones for work, and the new ones for dress casual. I have just finished another fruitless search on the web for a women's jean. I am now going to try wearing a men's pant--luckily, my hips are rather narrow. This situation is aliened a solid and loyal fanbase.

My method of shopping consists of going to a store and pulling on all the jeans. Then I buy the pair that stretches the least cussing all the way out. I hate stretchy jeans. They are ugly. They do NOT make you look thinner - they show every roll and create a few. My size 6 rump looks HUGE and bubbly in the stretch jeans. I hate you Levis!

But now, thanks to another complainer, I have found L.L. Bean and their 100% cotton jeans. Thank you LL Bean! Good Riddens Levi!

I purchased 4 pairs of Levi's with spandex. I don't like to wear really tight jeans and it seems if you don't have enough hip to keep the spandex stretched it begins to pucker. I threw away one pair of these as the pucker literally went from just below the pocket all the way into the crotch. (OMG is was HORRIBLE!) The others are severely puckered just bel0w the pocket and I can only wear them in the garden NEVER IN PUBLIC. They are UNSIGHTLY! I contacted Levi's and they told me never to throw a pair of their jeans away ? These jeans failed before they were a year old. $170 in jeans that were . I loved Levi's - now I am looking anywhere I can to find jeans without spandex. Wake up and give us back some options! If Levi's wants photos I'd be glad to send!

I still have one pair of 100% cotton levi's that needs to be thrown away, but I refuse to let them go. I will change brands before I will wear spanex. Please go back to a 100% cotton, or at least offer both!

I was so excited as I found a pair of Levi jeans - "The Real Deal" at the "Goodwill" the other day. They still had the tags on them and did not have any spandex. I wear a small size 2. No matter what size you wear jeans with spandex "stretch" and although they will fit when you try them on, after wearing them for an hour, everyone finds themselves trying to pull the jeans up as they become lose and uncomfortable. I want the "break-hard" denim back! Hard and Thick as they come!

I've been wearing my 100% cotton Tommy Hilfigers for I can't even tell you how long because I refuse to give in to this stretch SH*&! I've worked hard to keep my size4-6 and don't want stretchy stuff hanging on me and not being flatering. Cotton stays the way it was when you put it on/spandex grows on you within 10 minutes-gross. I've even written to manufacturers websites complaining---maybe if more people did they would get a clue..thx.

I miss my old 501's! I have been wearing women's 501's for 20 years now. The new Levi's are designed to fit the younger generation, which includes the waist sagging so much that when you sit or lean over your underwear shows! Lovely, a real class act. Men's 501's don't fit me the same. I realize that the Levi company has to compete to stay in business, but it's too bad that their integrity went out the window with their balance sheet. Since when is spandex and being manufactured in China synonymous with the sustainable/socially responsible movement? Levi Strauss has become just another company who caved to the masses. Strauss must be rolling over in his grave.

No, it does not work toward affecting change when you leave your comments on THIS website. Company officials at the Levi Strauss Company don't read this site. It is not a gathered list of complaints in ONE area-you have miscounted. That would be TWO areas and the only one that really counts toward affecting change is to leave them with the Levi Strauss Company. It is not good as a resource, it is simply a site of complaints that people making the decisions won't see. For this to work properly, you must take your comments DIRECTLY to Levi if you want them to matter. Ask that your comments be forwarded to the decision makers. AND remember to make comments, not complaints. Remember the old adage about how you can attract more flies with honey...

We should continue to write our complaints on this site AND directly with Levi. It's good to have a gathered list of complaints in one area - it's good as a resource.

YES-YES-YES! Remember buying 100% cotton denim that faded as you washed them...I don't want pre-faded, pre-wrinkled, lycra or spandex or down to my hairline or up to my stomach waistbands. I want old fashioned, dark blue, 100% denim Levis that rest on my hips and fade as I wash them!

EVERYONE! Stop complaining here and go to levi.com to e-mail your complaint directly to the Levi Strauss Company. Preaching to the choir isn't going to help our cause. I have e-mailed them my proverbial "two-cents" and asked that my message be passed along to the company decision makers. If enough of us e-mail them, they might see that there is still a demand for 100% cotton jeans. Yes, ask them to bring back our jeans.