Levi's · 501 · Mostly from the 2000s on
Levi's closed its last American factory at the end of 2003, and since then the 501 has been sewn abroad, with Mexico among the countries on its care labels. The Mexican 501 is the everyday version you'll find in big numbers, a button-fly straight leg with the same red tab and arcuate as every other 501. It's a sensible buy because you get the 501 shape without paying extra for a USA label. The care label tells you where and when it was made, and the factory number printed there usually matches the stamp on the back of the top button. Finish codes matter here too, so read the four digits after 501 on the label before you buy, because a rigid 0000 sizes nothing like a washed 0115. Skip any listing that sells a Mexican pair as vintage USA. Buy one for the fit and the fade, and buy on measurements.
Date it from the photos
If you’ll wear it
A Mexican 501 gets you the shape for less than a USA label. Pick the one with the best measurements and fade.
Most of these are washed finishes, so the tag is close to the real size when new, but years of washing shift it. Check the finish code first, because a Shrink-to-Fit 0000 pair shrinks a lot, then go by the waist measured flat and doubled, the front rise and the inseam.
New to measuring old denim? Our measuring guide shows where to put the tape.
Measurements first, then the details
Expect the usual 501 wear, with thigh and crotch thinning, knee holes and frayed hems. Check that every fly button is there, because a missing one is a bother to replace.
Buying guide
For a Mexican 501 to wear, we'd take the medium wash button fly a seller measures at 35x33.5 (tagged 34x34), at $31 delivered. There are at least 208 for sale, all from US sellers in our sample, and most ask $35–70 delivered for Y2K and 2000s pairs in blue, black and brown. Read the finish code on the care label before you size anything, because a rigid 0000 Shrink-to-Fit shrinks a lot and a washed 0115 sits near its tag. One pair here is titled 2015 Shrink To Fit style. Then go by the waist measured flat and doubled, the rise and the inseam, and ask for the back of the top button, whose number should usually match the label's factory code. eBay's search cards don't show seller feedback for these, so check it on the item page, and skip the $132 32x30, more than twice the band median for the same jean.
$26.50est. delivered
The lowest delivered 501 here, a black wash 38x30 titled Y2K and made in Mexico. Ask for the care label to check the finish code, and for the back of the top button.
Levi's 501 Black Wash Straight Leg Jeans Made In Mexico Size 38x30 Y2K
$31.05est. delivered
The seller measured this medium wash button fly at 35x33.5 against a 34x34 tag, at $31 delivered, under the band. Compare those numbers with a 501 you own, and ask for daylight photos of the crotch and knees.
Levi's 501 Men's 34x34 (35x33.5) Medium Wash Button Fly Made In Mexico
$48.99est. delivered
Buy It Now, with the actual 30x28 next to the 32x30 tag, mid-band. Check the hem in the photos, since a 28 inseam may have been cut short.
Vintage Levi's 501 Denim Jeans Size 32 x 30 (30x28Actual) Made in Mexico
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$26.50est. delivered
$18.00 + $8.50 shipping
Buy It Now$18.00
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
Titled Y2K, black wash, 38x30. Cheapest here.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$31.05est. delivered
$22.88 + $8.17 shipping
Buy It Now$22.88
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
Medium wash, measured 35x33.5 (tag 34x34).
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$48.99est. delivered
$39.00 + $9.99 shipping
Buy It Now$39.00
Good buy
Actual 30x28 (tag 32x30). Buy It Now.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$31.03est. delivered
$25.00 + $6.03 shipping
Buy It Now$25.00
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.
Our take
Titled 2015 Shrink To Fit style, 34x30. Ask whether it's a rigid 0000, which shrinks a lot.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$38.49est. delivered
$28.50 + $9.99 shipping
Buy It Now$28.50
Our take
Titled Y2K, black, red tab, 30x32.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$48.27est. delivered
$40.00 + $8.27 shipping
Buy It Now$40.00
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.
Our take
Titled WPL423, button fly, 32x30.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$54.08est. delivered
$46.99 + $7.09 shipping
Buy It Now$46.99
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
Dark wash, button fly, 36x34.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$132.27est. delivered
$124.00 + $8.27 shipping
Buy It Now$124.00
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.
Priced high
32x30, titled vintage. More than twice the band median.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
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