Best of 2016: Our Hottest Products of the Year

This week, we’re highlighting the best of the best of 2016 from across our Unzipped coverage, featuring everything from some of our biggest product launches to the notable ways we’ve given back this year.
Whatever your feelings about 2016 — the best of times, the worst of times — it was definitely stylish times. And Levi Strauss & Co. represented full force in the most fashion-forward circles.
But don’t take our word for it. Check out the hottest pieces — great gifts for yourself or a loved one this holiday — that captivated customers and snagged serious style coverage this year.
505c™: The ’70s Rock Jean Cut for Today

The common thread linking some quintessential names in rock history? The Levi’s® 505™ series, remastered for 2016.
The original 505™ was introduced in 1967. It became the uniform of counterculture by the early-1970s, gracing album covers for The Rolling Stones and The Ramones and the stage attire of the likes of Debbie Harry.
Today’s version, the 505™C, is built on its rock ‘n’ roll foundations. After testing dozens of prototypes, designers landed on a fit, true to the original, between slim and skinny.
“The cusp of slim and skinny is exactly what you should be wearing today, as we slowly move away from the ultra-skinny fits popular in the last 2000s and early 2010s,” Business Insider Australia recently wrote. “Levi’s® seems to realise that now is the perfect time to bring back this iconic style and fit.”
Color Me Khaki: Dockers 30th Anniversary Collection
Dockers celebrated its 30th birthday this year. So what better time to celebrate the iconic look on which the brand, and legions of Casual Friday followers, was built?
From shoes to belts to bags to luggage, the Dockers® 30th Anniversary Collection deployed khaki in some unexpected ways. Esquire.com editor Jonathan Evans gave the collection high praise: “Think of it as a foolproof way into tone-on-tone dressing. Or just think of it as a bunch of understated clothes and accessories that’ll work just as well together as they will with the rest of your wardrobe. Either way, you’ll be right.”
Introducing the Wedgie

This was the year the “mom jean” made a major comeback. Building on the heritage of the iconic 505™ jean, the Wedgie fit has a high rise to accentuate the waist, a snug fit through the hips and — most importantly — the back pockets are tilted inward slightly to create the ultimate “mom butt.” And yes, that’s a good thing.
Levi’s® 501® Gets Modern Updates

It was a busy year for Levi’s® 501®, which also debuted in Skinny and Stretch in 2016. It still features the tried-and-true button fly, but was remastered with a skinnier leg. With demand for Stretch denim going through the roof, Levi’s answered the call. Just like its Skinny sibling, the Levi’s® 501® Stretch adds modern fashion sense and functionality with the quality fans have come to expect for more than a century.
Elle UK confirms the widespread, straight-leg, throwback appeal in denim this year. “Though skinny jeans continues to outsell any other denim style 2 to 1 globally, the most-searched jeans by UK shoppers in 2016 were straight-leg styles, with Levi’s iconic 501® becoming the most-viewed product on Lyst.com.”
Batter Up: Levi’s x MLB Collection

What’s more American than Levi’s® or baseball? Levi’s® and baseball. Levi’s® unveiled its limited edition MLB collection this year, taking team spirit beyond game day and into the everyday. Fans take note — Spring Training is only three months away.
“The Best Black Jeans of 2016”
Another nod to our gentlemen’s wear came courtesy of GQ, which named the Levi’s® 511™ jeans in black stretch among the best black jeans of 2016.
“The fit is what we’d call democratic: every man alive looks good in a pair of 511s,” GQ wrote.
Read more on GQ.com.
Check out our other “Best Of 2016” stories:
Best of 2016: LS&Co.’s Biggest Moments