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

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.

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!

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%!

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'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 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 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).

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 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?

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.

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!

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!

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!

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 :(

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

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!

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...

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

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?

what is #039?

Hey, almost a year later from all these posts and I have called LL Bean, LandsEnd, American Eagle, Levi Strauss and all I can find are some rlaxed fit (men's!) jeans in 100% cotton. I am wearing a beautiful pair of American Eagles right now that I had to buy in a thrift shop - but how old can they be? Makes me think everyone stopped the 100% fashion jean LAST year, only ... but why?

I told each of these companies -they'd see sooner or later - hundreds of requests form women (especially) as soon as everyone finds out their hives come from Spandex. (Forums are filled with hundreds of people who have not figured out their hives sources... some have had them for years and years.) I was fortunate, I found out after 8 months. Anyway, I'm so over calling jeans companies right now and frustrated beyond all frustration.

Who in their right mind decided that Lycra Spandex makes people look "better" in jeans? It makes me look worse. It accentuates my fat tummy and gives me "camel toe" Absolutely disgusting and now I have to try and find MENS jeans because for some reason those aren't made like "Spanks"

I HATE SPANDEX? Who's the complete imbecile that thought jeans should fit like a pair of "Spanx" or a body glove? Who's the idiot that thought Spandex makes people look better? it ACCENTUATES my fat tummy and gives me "Camel toe" It's decidedly very UNFLATTERING! And since I have been unable to find any women's clothing WITHOUT the crap, I have to buy MEN's jeans. Ugh! I'm going to send an e-mail everyday to Levis until I get a response...

SuePresler you're fabulous! You'll get a reply from Levi's... it just won't be very gratifying. Not sure if you have the same reaction that I do... Spandex makes my BUTT SWEAT! Sick of it :(

Hey Gals! Go to the website Texas Jeans they have the 100% Denim.
Give them a try, I have changed from Levi to Texas Jeans.
Bridget
Georgia

I too hate Spandex! I can walk into ANY store and fine men's jeans in 100% cotton. Every single pair of women's jeans has spandex. They may look great in the store when you try them on but after you get them home and wear them for ...oh say...20 minutes they start to sag, bag and droop! I am sick and tired of having to constantly pull my jeans up as they start to fall down. When will someone please listen to our complaints! Obviously I'm not the only one who is tired of Spandex! Why can't women have the same choice as men? Any answers?

Well, if you hog fat broads would LOSE WEIGHT, maybe you can wear regular jeans like NORMAL SIZED people!

I agree - I absolutely hate any "stretch" jeans - even Express and Mudd offer only stretch jeans. I'd rather shop at thrift stores to buy old school all cotton jeans. Also I hate women's jeans sizing - I know my waist & length, even if I buy the size indicated by fitting charts they don't fit right. I'd buy men's jeans but most stores and online sites think if you're buying a 20 something inch waist your inseam should be less than 30. I have tried a few pair of cotton/spandex "no gap" "no butt crack " jeans - after a few hours wearing them I needed a belt to prevent constant drooping and mooning everyone.

What is wrong with designers and manufacturers of women's clothing? They add spandex and lycra to jeans to make them stretch, yet the only nursing scrubs that had stretch were discontinued! I don't need my jeans to stretch, thank you - I just want them to fit me. On the other hand - all my scrubs are 100% cotton and don't stretch. Believe me - I could use a whole lot of stretch at work!

Amen, sistas! I have been complaining about this for awhile (to myself!) and decided to look online to see if there were any jean companies that made actual "blue jeans, ") almost an archaic term. Levis was the first company that showed on my search and I clicked on it and find I am not alone. I hate the spandexy, stretch material. I just bought 3 pair of Levi's-out of desperation-and am going to return all of them in search of 100% cotton "jeans." So glad I am not the only one who has noticed this transformation (for the worse) in jeans. Spandex (and any other componant like it) sucks!

i totally agree with first comment-give me real Levis. I hate spandex/lycra.!

LOVE, LOVE< LOVE spandex! OTherwise the jeans that are in style are miserable.

I've emailed Levi's to complain about this, too. I love my old 100% cotton jeans. To whomover made the comment that women need to lose weight, #@!* you, I am not overweight in any way and I hate spandex in jeans, no matter if you are a size 0, they will still sag and bag after you have worn them for an hour. The only solution I see is to stop buying any jeans with spandex and hope that eventually Levi's will get the point. I am going to check out Texas Jeans-thanks, Zoe!

I have worn Levis jeans for 30 years or longer and I loved them. I have to say the jeans made today are not for everyone. It's the fabric. Not everyone like the spandex/lycra style. Please, please, please bring back the old fashion real denim jeans.

I have a LATEX ALLERGY! Perhaps ___LEGAL ACTION___ needs to be taken with these companies for only making jeans with Spandex/lycra cotton blends. I to am burdened with eczema on my back, thighs, stomach area due to wearing these jeans as well. Oh and please don't get me started on underpants, they to have spandex in every pair if you include the elastic around the waist and leg area. I finally found a store in California called "Cottonique" that sells LATEX FREE clothing and undergarments. Though the bras need a better design, but hats off to them for at least trying to help people. I've had the luxury of buying a couple pair and wearing them starting yesterday and today and guess what, my skin feels great! Usually I'm in bad shape by the time I get home after work. I hope someone out there reads these blogs...perhaps we need to start a movement?

********What are Texas Jeans?

I just can't take the spandex, elastane, stretch business any more! I spent several hours yesterday surfing the net just to try and find any jeans that are 100% cotton. Finally my husband got in on the act and between the two of us (and several hours) we found 2 pairs Lucky (big $$) and Stetson. Ordered them both, but what a hastle. I loved Levis for close to 20 years and now I hate. I thought the curve ID would help with the butt crack thing - they cover my hinder but get too loose and won't stay up after an hour. Nothing says cool like hiking up your pants. I want my old Levis back!

I have spent a small fortune trying to find jeans and to NO avail. Seems like all the jeans have that horrible, crappy, worthless SPANDEX in them and I hate the feel and fit of them. I don't know why Lee had to change their denim. I hope their sales decrease enough to make them come to their senses and take the spandex out of at least some of their jeans. I am not a tween or a model. I am 59 and just want COMFORT these days. Spandex jeans are tight and don't loosen up like my old, worn out, patched, and loved jeans. I am down to my last two pairs of jeans and don't know what I am going to do but I guarantee it won't be to buy jeans with spandex in them...my days of buying, returning, buying and returning are coming to an end...guess I will just have to look horrible in sweat pants but at least I will be comfortable...PLEASE GET RID OF THE SPANDEX AND GO BACK TO COTTON!

I agree. I hate spandex too. But it's not just that. These "modern" jeans are not cut right either. I am a 45 year old woman with hips, thighs and curves. The cut and spandex makes these jeans cling to all the wrong places. I don't want to look like a horses rear end!
Come on Levi's. You've got six pages of complaints. We just want a choice.

I agree, if we want spandex, whly not just wear spandex? Jeans should be jeans, and spandex should be jeans, and spandex should be spandex.

TOTALLY AGREE! I HATE spandex! ESPECIALLY in jeans! Been looking for MONTHS for 100% cotton jeans. I used to wear jeans all the time (100% cotton). Now I rarely do ..., they're just too hot and sticky especially living in the humid south...even when it's 75 degrees outside, it can still feel like it's 90 with the humidity. I'd pay for 100% cotton jeans THAT ACTUALLY FIT. I'm soooo tired of continually having to pull up my pants (or jeans or shorts) because they constantly slide down because of the icky stretchy stuff.