To determine the approximate age of your Levi's jeans, one key indicator is the Red Tab located on the right back pocket. The lettering on this tab can provide valuable insight into when the jeans were manufactured.
Checking the Red Tab: "Big E" vs. "small e"
Take a close look at the famous red tab on the right back pocket of your Levi's jeans. Pay attention to the way the word "LEVI'S" is spelled on the tab.
There are two main variations you will encounter:
- "Big E": The word "LEVI'S" is spelled with all capital letters.
- "small e": The word is spelled with a lowercase "e", appearing as "Levi's".
The "Big E" Distinction and Age
Based on the design of the Red Tab, you can narrow down the production period for your jeans. According to Levi Strauss & Co., the Red Tab with LEVI'S (in all capital letters, also known as the “Big E”) signifies that the jeans were produced before 1971.
Therefore, if your jeans feature the "Big E" on the Red Tab, you know they are a vintage pair made prior to this date. If the tab has a lowercase "e" ("Levi's"), they were made in 1971 or later.
Here's a quick summary:
| Red Tab Spelling | Era |
|---|---|
| LEVI'S | Before 1971 |
| Levi's | 1971 and after |
Checking the Red Tab is one of the most straightforward methods to get a general idea of your Levi's jeans' age, particularly for identifying older, collectible pairs.
