I remember my 1st pair of Levi's straight legs (I was teen in mid 70s). They were nearly black blue and stiff as a board. Had to be washed about 5 times before I could even wear them. I remember, sitting on the front porch with the jeans in my hands and rubbing area by area over the bricks on the front step and when wet (very light bleach wash), laying them on the grass in the sun to aid fading.