Why George Clooney Wears James Dean’s Pants

After 141 years, Levi's 501s are still the coolest jeans in America

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In May 2001, a relatively new auction site called eBay had the media world abuzz. For sale was an artifact, dated to 1880, and dug up from the mud of a forgotten Nevada mining town. Web surfers stared wide-eyed as collectors bid the item up to $25,000, and then $35,000, before the auction suddenly closed with an offer of $46,532.

 

Photo: Nick Ferrari

The item? A brittle, faded, torn-up pair of blue jeans, the oldest in existence.

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