JCPenney · Foremost · Late 1940s to the mid-1960s
Before Plain Pockets, Penney's denim was Foremost. The name shows up on men's and boys' jeans in Penney's ads by 1948, and through the 1950s Foremost was the store's Western jean for the whole family, Sanforized, copper-riveted, orange-stitched and zipped. In 1954 Penney's added nylon-reinforced denim and a tighter Western fit, and a 1955 ad sold the slim cut that rides low on the hips and hugs the legs. The denim stayed heavy, quoted at 10 ounces in 1948 and 11 in the early 1950s, then 13¾ ounces per square yard, which Penney's explained as a new way of measuring. Denim historians count Foremost among the cheaper rivals to Levi's and Lee, and Marilyn Monroe was photographed in a pair. We found no Foremost bootcut, so this page covers the Western jeans. Look for the Penney's label and copper rivets.
Date it from the photos
If you’ll wear it
A Foremost is a 1950s Western jean you can still find in wearable shape. Measure it like any vintage pair.
If you’ll collect it
Late-1940s and 1950s pairs with the Penney's label, copper rivets and orange stitching are the ones with the story.
Foremost was cut the way 1950s Western jeans were worn, low on the hips and tight in the leg, as Penney's own 1955 ad put it. That means the tag waist won't match where a modern jean sits, so go by flat measurements. Ask for the waist flat and doubled, the front rise, the thigh and the leg opening. Men's sizes ran about 27 to 42, and boys' came in slims and regulars by the 1960s.
New to measuring old denim? Our measuring guide shows where to put the tape.
Measurements first, then the details
Expect worn knees, frayed hems, crotch wear and faded orange stitching on pairs that were worn hard. A darned crotch or patched knee is fine to wear, but a replaced zip or re-hem matters to a collector.
Buying guide
For a Foremost to wear, we'd take the 60s pair titled Penney Ranchcraft Foremost with a Talon zipper, USA made, in a men's 38x29 at $115 delivered. There are at least 48 for sale and most ask $80–250 delivered, but plenty are kids' and women's sizes, which Penney's made too, so read the size before the price. Look for Penney's on the label (the JCPenney logo came in 1971), copper rivets, orange stitching and a zip fly, and pass on any pair with a sewn-in care tag. Foremost was cut low on the hips and tight in the leg, so get the waist flat and doubled, the rise, the thigh and the leg opening. Penney's used the name from the late 1940s, so the $5,890 auction titled 1930s needs proof, and the women's pair comes from a zero-feedback seller.
$44.45est. delivered
The lowest ask at $44 delivered, but it's a kids' size, titled 1950s with no measurements. Get the waist and inseam before you buy, and check that the label says Penney's.
VINTAGE ORIGINAL DENIM JEANS PANTS FOREMOST JC Penney KIDS SIZE 1950's
$114.98est. delivered
Titled 60s, Talon zipper and USA made, in a men's 38x29, at $115 delivered, under the $136 median. The title also says Ranchcraft, so check the label in the photos to see which Penney's name it carries.
Vintage 60’s Penney Ranchcraft Denim Jeans Blue Talon Foremost 38 29 USA Made
$269.99delivered
Titled Penneys, the store's name before 1971, with selvedge and a zipper fly in a men's 31x30, at $270 with free shipping. Ask for close-ups of the rivets and seams to check for copper and orange thread.
Vintage Penneys Foremost Selvedge Denim Jeans Blue Straight Leg Zipper Fly 31x30
$59.98est. delivered
A men's 34x27 titled 50s Penneys Foremost and sold as-is with holes, at $60 delivered, well under the band. Ask for photos of every hole and price the repair in.
True Vintage 50s Penneys Foremost Denim Jeans Pants Mens 34x27 As-is Holes
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$44.45est. delivered
$34.00 + $10.45 shipping
Buy It Now$34.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Kids' size, titled 1950s. No measurements given.
Seller: kikobellsvintage
100% positive
Used$114.98est. delivered
$99.99 + $14.99 shipping
Buy It Now$99.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Men's 38x29, titled 60s, Talon zipper, USA.
Seller: chaz.amaze
99.9% positive
Used$269.99delivered
$269.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$269.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled Penneys selvedge, zipper fly, 31x30. Free shipping.
Seller: blueridgerags
99.9% positive
For parts$59.98est. delivered
$49.99 + $9.99 shipping
Buy It Now$49.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Project piece
Men's 34x27, titled 50s, sold as-is with holes.
Seller: limitedresourcesvintage
100% positive
Used$81.09est. delivered
$69.99 + $11.10 shipping
Buy It Now$69.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled 50s striped buckleback, Sanforized, USA. No size given.
Seller: grandads_closet
99.9% positive
Used$135.96est. delivered
$124.97 + $10.99 shipping
Buy It Now$124.97
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Selvedge, actual fit W23 L24. A small size.
Seller: calithrift1971
100% positive
Used$183.08est. delivered
$175.95 + $7.13 shipping
Buy It Now$175.95
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Women's misses size 18, titled 1950s. Zero-feedback seller.
Seller: kr-40749
No feedback yet
Used$5,904.18est. delivered
$5,890.00 + $14.18 shipping
Auction · no bids yet · ends in 1d 5h
Priced high
Auction with no bids. Titled 1930s, but Foremost dates from the late 1940s.
Seller: chino
100% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 11, 2026.
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