Khakis: A Post-War Trend Continues


Levi Strauss & Co.
June 9, 2016

It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the 30th anniversary of Dockers®, but we’re not slowing down the celebration.
We’re still excited to share some of the most interesting, heritage khaki Dockers® finds from our Archives. Curated by yours truly, the items will be on display in the Atrium at our San Francisco headquarters through the summer.
Next up, our Tab Twills from 1958. The post-war era ushered in a wave of fashion trends that extended beyond the military base and khakis were one of them. To accommodate the surge of interest, Levi Strauss & Co. met this need with Tab Twills, modeled in both style and fabric after American military uniforms. Veterans going to college, as well as service station attendants, electrical workers and others quickly adopted the versatile pants and shirts.

Levi's® Tab Twills yellow label Men's shirt Six-Gun label Cramerton Burlington 6 oz combed twill Sanforized sold by Gayley & Lord khaki color circa 1958.

Levi’s® Tab Twills yellow label Men’s shirt Six-Gun label Cramerton Burlington 6 oz combed twill Sanforized sold by Gayley & Lord khaki color circa 1958.


Lot 410 Tab Twills Sanforized colorfast khaki double belt loops on front cuffed dead stock 1950s.

Lot 410 Tab Twills Sanforized colorfast khaki double belt loops on front cuffed dead stock 1950s.


Although the tops and bottoms are no longer typically worn together – the polished, yet laid-back khaki look lives on. From Casual Fridays to retail workers to school uniforms, khakis have been a closet mainstay for decades and will likely remain an American fashion staple.
Stay tuned for more from our khaki exhibit in the coming weeks. You can also check out more facts about khakis here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tracey-Panek-photo-438x656Tracey Panek is the Historian for Levi Strauss & Co. where she manages the day-to-day workings of the Levi Strauss & Co. Archives as a key corporate asset, answering historical questions, assisting designers, brand managers, executives and other employees whose work requires historical materials in the Archives.
Prior to joining LS&Co., Tracey spent 14 years as Historian and Archivist at AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah where she managed a corporate history program for the 100+ year old company. She began her corporate history career at AirTouch Communications—today Verizon and Vodafone—a San Francisco based company that launched cellular service at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.

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