What do Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, and Sydney Sweeney all have in common? Besides being icons in their own right, they’ve all been spotted rocking the same iconic fashion piece—the Levi’s 501 jeans.
Whether you’re an A-list celebrity or just someone who loves a good pair of jeans, there’s no denying that these bad boys have stood the test of time.
In fact, a recent study crowned them the most iconic fashion item of all time, with a massive 45 per cent of people backing this classic.
Let’s rewind a bit: the 501s were first introduced in 1873 (yes, you read that right—1873), and back then, they were called “waist overalls.” They had just one back pocket, a cute little watch pocket, and suspender buttons. Nothing fancy, just tough, durable jeans made for work. But then, Hollywood got involved—cue John Wayne in Stagecoach (1939)—and suddenly, these simple work jeans were a symbol of rugged cool.
Over the years, stars like Marilyn Monroe, Brando, and James Dean wore them, turning them into a bona fide fashion statement.
Fast forward to today, and you’ll see celebs like Hailey Bieber, Selena Gomez, Kristen Stewart, and Sydney Sweeney slipping into a pair of 501s, keeping the legacy alive and well.
The jeans are basically the definition of timeless, proving you don’t have to chase trends when you’ve got something this good.
But it’s not just Levi’s 501s that people love. Coming in second place in the “most iconic fashion item” list is the Ralph Lauren polo shirt, pulling in 25 per cent of the vote.
Chanel’s little black dress—another classic—came in third with 23 per cent. And you can’t forget other standouts like Converse All Stars, Levi’s denim jackets, and Ray-Ban aviators.
These are pieces that just keep showing up, decade after decade, because let’s face it: good style never goes out of fashion.
The research, commissioned by Whatnot (a super popular livestream shopping platform), also revealed that thrift shopping is on the rise—big time.
About 70 per cent of Brits regularly hunt for second-hand or vintage clothing, and among younger folks (18-28-year-olds), that number jumps to 84 per cent.
Turns out, they’re buying an average of seven vintage or second-hand items a month. Why? Well, it’s cheaper (59 per cent of people said so), you can snag some serious bargains (52 per cent agree), and it’s a lot more sustainable (47 per cent are on board with that).
Daniel Fisher, UK General Manager at Whatnot, summed it up perfectly: “It’s clear from the research that more Brits are embracing second-hand fashion and iconic vintage pieces like Levi 501s, Ralph Lauren polo shirts, and little black dresses.”
He also added that their livestream shopping experience offers a fun, interactive way to shop for these timeless gems, making it easy to score one-of-a-kind finds while doing something good for the planet.
What’s interesting is that more than half of people (54 per cent) love the thrill of hunting for those hard-to-find vintage pieces.
There’s something deeply satisfying about discovering a hidden gem in a charity shop or on an online marketplace.
In fact, 88 per cent of Brits head out thrifting with one specific item in mind, and when they find it? Pure joy.
So, why has second-hand fashion become so huge? For starters, it’s way more sustainable.
About 35 per cent of people say they’re putting more effort into buying sustainable clothes compared to five years ago, and 30 per cent of Brits have committed to buying only sustainable clothing now—this jumps to 43 per cent for the under-29 crowd.
Clearly, the younger generation is leading the charge towards more eco-friendly fashion choices.
The appeal of thrifting isn’t just about saving money or being kind to the planet. For many, it’s about investing in quality pieces that will last.
In fact, 86 per cent of Brits said they’d rather spend more on a few classic items that will stand the test of time, instead of blowing cash on fast fashion that won’t survive more than a few washes.
And it’s no wonder—fashions always come back around, with the 90s, 80s, and 60s being the most popular vintage fashion eras.
At the end of the day, Levi’s 501 jeans are more than just a pair of pants. They’re a piece of history, a style staple that’s transcended trends and generations.
And with more people embracing thrift shopping and sustainable fashion, it looks like these iconic jeans—and other timeless fashion items—are here to stay.
The Most Iconic Fashion Items of All Time (According to Thrifty Brits):
- Levi’s 501 jeans – 45%
- Ralph Lauren polo shirt – 25%
- Chanel little black dress – 23%
- Converse All-Star trainers – 20%
- Levi’s denim jacket – 20%
- Ray-Ban aviators – 18%
- Nike Air Max 90 trainers – 18%
- Cherry red Doc Martens – 15%
- Bomber jacket – 15%
- Plain white t-shirt – 15%
And the list goes on… but no matter how many trends come and go, you can bet your favourite pair of Levi’s 501s isn’t going anywhere.