Levi's 511 Slim Fit Jeans — $69.50

Levi's 511 Slim Fit Jeans — Rigid Dark Indigo

★★★★★ 4.7 / 5.0 based on 53,290 verified reviews

$69.50

Stable retail price · Sale events drop to from $40 at Levi's.com & Kohl's

Wash: Rigid Dark Indigo (04511-1163)

Waist: 32"

28"

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36"

38"

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44"

Inseam: 32"

28"

29"

30"

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34"

36"

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The world's most versatile slim-fit jean — introduced in 2008 as Levi's answer to the skinny jean trend, the 511 occupies the perfect middle ground: slim through the hip and thigh without being restrictive, straight leg opening that works with every shoe type from sneakers to boots, sits below the natural waist, and crafted from Levi's signature sturdy cotton denim with just enough stretch for comfort. Worn by everyone from students to executives in 170+ countries.

Why we picked it

Slim fit without skinny tightness — sits below waist, slim through hip and thigh, straight leg opening; the Goldilocks of slim jeans — fitted without being constricting
Flex stretch denim option — Levi's Flex versions use 2% elastane for a cotton feel with meaningful stretch; ideal for commuters, cyclists, and anyone who moves through a full day
Works with every shoe silhouette — the 511's straight leg opening (unlike skinny jeans) sits cleanly over both chunky sneakers and slim dress shoes without bunching or distortion
50+ wash options — something for every wardrobe — from raw indigo to bleached light wash to black; Levi's updates the 511 wash range seasonally while keeping core washes permanently available
Genuine denim heritage at an honest price — $69.50 for Levi's quality cotton denim; regularly drops to $40–50 at Kohl's and JCPenney with store card discounts

The slim jean that everyone can wear.

The Levi's 511 Slim Fit Jean is, without exaggeration, the most successful slim-fit jean in the history of menswear. Introduced in 2008 as Levi's first purpose-built slim-fit silhouette — as opposed to the tapered 505 or the skinny 510 — the 511 immediately found its audience: men who wanted a modern, fitted silhouette without the discomfort or body-type specificity of a skinny jean. Sixteen years later, after testing dozens of slim jeans across every price tier from $30 to $500, our editors still recommend the 511 as the best slim jean for most men. The fit is demonstrably correct: slim through the hip and thigh, straight leg opening, no taper, sits below the natural waist. The result is a jean that flatters without requiring a specific physique — lean frames look sharp and proportionate, broader builds look neat without constriction, athletic thighs have room without bagginess in the seat. At $69.50, with a wash catalogue of 50+ options and a Flex stretch version that adds 2% elastane for daily comfort, the 511 is the benchmark slim jean.

What keeps the 511 relevant sixteen years after its introduction is the silhouette's genuine universality. The straight leg opening — as opposed to the tapered hem of a skinny jean — means the 511 works with every shoe type without compromise. Low-profile sneakers like the Samba OG and Stan Smith sit neatly under the hem. Chunky sneakers like the Air Force 1 fill the opening correctly without bunching. Boots — Chelsea, Chukka, work boot — wear the hem over them cleanly. Dress shoes look intentional. No other slim-fit silhouette offers this footwear flexibility. The 511 is also one of very few sub-$100 jeans with genuine waist-and-inseam specific sizing — available in waist sizes from 28" to 44" and inseam lengths from 28" to 36". Read our full comparison tool to stack the 511 against the AG Graduate, Uniqlo Slim, or Gap Slim.

The Flex stretch versions — and when to choose them

Levi's produces two main constructions of the 511: the standard rigid denim and the Flex stretch version. The rigid denim (styles like Rigid Dark Indigo and dark washes) is 100% cotton and has the traditional stiff denim feel that softens and conforms over weeks of wear. The Flex version adds 2% elastane to the cotton construction — the fabric moves with the body from the first wear, making it significantly more comfortable for commuting, cycling, driving, and sitting for extended periods. For office wear, travel, or active daily use, the Flex version is the practical recommendation. For a more authentic denim aesthetic and feel that develops over time, the rigid construction is the choice. Both versions have identical external construction — the pocket placement, rivets, bar tacking, and Levi's branding are the same. Visit our Fashion category page for more denim guidance.

Who should buy the Levi's 511?

Men buying their first quality pair of slim jeans — the 511 is the benchmark that makes every subsequent slim jean purchase more informed; understanding this fit makes other fits comprehensible
Office and business-casual wearers — the Rigid Dark Indigo in a 32×32 or 32×30 reads as smart-casual and pairs correctly with dress shoes, blazers, and Oxford shirts
Daily commuters and active professionals — the Flex stretch version handles sitting, cycling, walking, and commuting without the rigid discomfort of traditional denim
Sneaker enthusiasts — the straight leg opening is the ideal frame for every sneaker silhouette from low-profile to chunky; no other slim jean is this footwear-agnostic
Buyers across a wide size range — waist sizes 28"–44" and inseam lengths 28"–36" make the 511 accessible to a much wider body range than most designer slim jeans
Budget-conscious denim buyers — at $69.50 with Kohl's sale events dropping it to $40–50, the 511 offers Levi's heritage quality at a fraction of premium denim costs

Skip the 511 if you need a very skinny fit through the ankle (look at the Levi's 510 or 519), if you prefer a relaxed or straight-leg silhouette (look at the 501 or 514), or if your thighs are particularly athletic (the 511's slim cut through the thigh can feel tight on larger thighs — size up in waist and use a belt, or consider the 513 slim straight which has more room through the seat and thigh). For the vast majority of men who want a clean, versatile slim jean at an honest price — the 511 is the definitive answer. Visit Levi's official 511 page →

Full specifications

Complete construction details for the Levi's 511 Slim Fit Jean in Rigid Dark Indigo (04511-1163). Verified against Levi's official product page.

Fabric & Construction

Main fabric (rigid)	100% Cotton — traditional heavy-weight denim (approx. 11 oz/sq yd)
Main fabric (Flex)	98% Cotton / 2% Elastane — same weight, added stretch
Construction	5-pocket construction — two front, one coin, two back
Rivets	Copper bar tack riveting at pocket stress points
Stitching	Levi's signature orange double-stitching on pockets and seams
Hardware	Copper button fly with Levi's embossed button; YKK zip on zip-fly variants
Branding	Leather Levi's patch on waistband back; red tab on right back pocket

Fit Measurements (size 32×32)

Fit type	Slim — sits below natural waist, slim through hip and thigh, straight leg
Rise	Mid-low rise — approx. 10" front rise on 32" waist
Hip measurement	Approx. 16" across (32" circumference)
Thigh measurement	Approx. 11" across (22" circumference) — slim through thigh
Knee measurement	Approx. 8.5" across
Leg opening	Approx. 7.5" across — straight, not tapered; wider than skinny jeans
Inseam options	28", 29", 30", 31", 32", 34", 36" (availability varies by wash)

Available Washes (core range)

Rigid Dark Indigo	04511-1163 — deep blue, stiff cotton, develops character with wear
Rock Cod (darkest dark)	04511-3406 — near-black dark blue; dressiest wash
Begonia	04511-4891 — medium stonewash blue; the 511's most popular everyday wash
Tabor	04511-5174 — medium-light stonewash; clean, versatile casual wash
Nightshine	04511-3480 — black stretch denim; office to evening versatility
Grey Flex	04511-1530 — mid-grey stretch; excellent alternative to dark blue

Care Instructions

Machine wash	Cold — turn inside out to preserve colour and reduce fading
Tumble dry	Low heat — hang dry preferred to reduce shrinkage
Shrinkage	Expect 1" of shrinkage in length on first wash; waist is pre-shrunk
Frequency	Levi's recommends washing after 10 wears minimum — less washing extends colour depth and fabric life
Colour preservation	Wash separately or with darks for first 3–4 washes to prevent dye transfer
Care guide	levi.com/US/en_US/features/denim-care-guide

Product Details

Style code (Rigid Dark)	04511-1163
Retail price	$69.50 USD / £65 GBP / €79.99 EUR
Country of manufacture	Bangladesh / Mexico / Vietnam (varies by batch)
Levi's product page	levi.com — 04511-1163

What we love & what we don't

After sixteen years of testing and daily wear by our editors and contributors across five continents, here is our honest assessment of the Levi's 511 Slim Fit Jean.

✓ What we love

The fit is genuinely universal — slim enough to look modern and intentional; not so slim that it requires a specific physique or restricts movement; the most inclusive slim silhouette available
Straight leg opening works with every shoe — no other slim jean is this footwear-agnostic; sneakers, boots, dress shoes, and sandals all sit correctly under the 511's hem
Waist-and-inseam specific sizing — most clothing brands sell "S/M/L" jeans with a single inseam; Levi's offers 28"–36" inseam across 28"–44" waist sizes; the result is jeans that actually fit your body
Flex stretch version transformed daily wear denim — the 2% elastane Flex construction has the look and feel of rigid denim with genuine stretch that makes all-day wearing comfortable from first wear
50+ washes — something for every occasion — from near-black Rock Cod for business-casual to bleached light wash for summer; Levi's keeps core washes in permanent rotation
$69.50 retail — often $40–50 at Kohl's — Levi's is one of the most sale-discounted brands in department stores; patience typically rewards buyers with 30–40% off MSRP
Genuine cotton denim quality — the 511's cotton denim is sturdy, ages correctly with wear and washing, and develops the personal character that synthetic denim blends cannot
Levi's brand and heritage carry cultural weight — worn in every culture on earth; the red tab is universally recognised as a mark of quality

✗ What we don't

Slim through thigh is restrictive for athletic builds — men with muscular thighs often find the 511's thigh measurement too tight; size up one in waist and use a belt, or consider the 513 slim straight
Rigid versions require a break-in period — 100% cotton rigid denim is stiff and uncomfortable for the first 10–20 wears; it softens and conforms but patience is required
Sizing inconsistency across washes — measurements vary slightly between different washes and fabric weights; a 32×32 in Rigid Dark Indigo may fit slightly differently to a 32×32 in Flex Stretch
No belt loops on some inseam lengths — select short inseam versions (28") have fewer or narrower belt loops; minor but noticeable
First-wash shrinkage in length — expect approximately 1" of inseam shrinkage on the first wash; order 1" longer than your actual inseam if you wash before wearing
Colour fades significantly over time — dark washes lighten quickly with regular washing; this is authentic denim character to many buyers, but a negative for those who want colour consistency
Not sustainable at the manufacturing level — conventional cotton denim production is water-intensive; Levi's WaterLess and Better Cotton Initiative programmes are improvements but the product category has inherent environmental costs

Our verdict: 4.7 stars

The Levi's 511 Slim Fit Jean earns 4.7 stars as the best-value slim jean available for most men. The silhouette is right — genuinely universal and footwear-agnostic. The sizing system is correct — waist and inseam specific rather than generic S/M/L. The wash catalogue is comprehensive. The Flex stretch version solves the comfort limitation of rigid denim. And at $69.50 retail, with regular sale discounts to $40–50, the 511 is the slim jean we recommend to virtually every man who asks. Buy on Levi's.com →

Finding your perfect size

Levi's 511 sizing is waist-and-inseam specific — the most accurate way to size jeans. Measure both dimensions before ordering.

How to measure

Waist	Measure around your natural waist where you want the jeans to sit — typically 1–2 inches below the navel for the 511's mid-low rise. Keep the tape snug but not tight. Round to the nearest whole inch.
Inseam	Measure from the crotch seam of a pair of well-fitting trousers to the hem. Alternatively, measure from your crotch to the floor while standing barefoot and subtract 1" for standard footwear allowance.
First-wash shrinkage	Add 1" to your inseam measurement if you plan to wash before first wear — rigid cotton denim shrinks approximately 1" in length on the first machine wash. The waist is pre-shrunk and will not change.

Fit Tips by Body Type

Slim / lean builds	Order your true waist measurement — the 511 fits close in waist and will not require a belt at your true size. Standard or Flex version are both suitable.
Average / standard builds	True to size in waist. Flex stretch version recommended for all-day comfort. Dark wash recommended for versatility.
Athletic thighs	Size up 1–2" in waist and use a belt — the extra room in the thigh makes all-day wearing comfortable without sacrificing the slim silhouette. Alternatively try the 513 Slim Straight which has more room through the seat and thigh.
Broader waist / stomach	True to waist size — the 511 has a low-to-mid rise so it sits at the hip, not the natural waist. Going up one waist size and wearing lower is often more comfortable.
Short inseam (under 30")	The 511 is available in 28" and 29" inseam — rare for a major brand. Shorter buyers do not need to hem, which preserves the original hem finish.

Rigid vs Flex — which to choose?

If you sit at a desk for most of the day, commute by public transport, cycle, or drive long distances — choose the Flex stretch version. The 2% elastane makes sustained seated wear dramatically more comfortable. The Flex version is available in most popular washes including dark indigo and black. If you prioritise traditional denim character — the way rigid cotton denim stiffens, creases, fades, and conforms to your body uniquely over months of wear — choose the rigid version and accept the 2–3 week break-in period. Both versions are available at levi.com and both share the same external silhouette, construction, and branding.

Feature	Levi's 511 Slim Pick	Gap Slim Fit Jean	Uniqlo Slim Fit Jean	AG Graduate Slim Straight
Retail price	$69.50 · sale from $40	$79.95 · sale from $35	$49.90 Cheapest	$188
Fit silhouette	Slim hip & thigh, straight leg Most versatile	Slim hip & thigh, slight taper	Slim through leg, slim opening	Slim through thigh, straight leg
Sizing system	Waist + inseam specific (28"–44" × 28"–36") Best sizing	Waist + inseam (28"–42" × 28"–34")	Waist + length (XS–3XL, limited lengths)	Waist + inseam (28"–38" × 28"–34")
Fabric	Cotton / Cotton + 2% elastane (Flex)	Cotton / Cotton + elastane GapFlex	Cotton + polyester blend (slight stretch)	Premium cotton + elastane blend Softest hand
Wash range	50+ washes, seasonally updated Widest range	15–20 washes	6–8 washes (core only)	20–30 washes
Brand heritage	Levi's — 1853, San Francisco Deepest heritage	Gap — 1969, San Francisco	Uniqlo — 1984, Japan	AG — 2000, Los Angeles
Denim quality	Good — genuine cotton denim, ages well	Good — comparable to Levi's	Moderate — polyester blend feels less authentic	Excellent — premium Japanese selvedge-inspired Best fabric
Sale availability	Frequent — Kohl's/JCPenney 30–40% off	Frequent — Gap sale 40–50% off	Rare — Uniqlo rarely discounts core items	Occasional — Nordstrom Rack from $80
Best for	All-round versatility, wide size range, value	Everyday casual, deep sale value	Budget, simple wardrobe, smaller frames	Premium feel, fashion-forward buyers, softer fabric

Feature

Levi's 511 Slim Pick

Gap Slim Fit Jean

Uniqlo Slim Fit Jean

AG Graduate Slim Straight

Retail price

$69.50 · sale from $40

$79.95 · sale from $35

$49.90 Cheapest

$188

Fit silhouette

Slim hip & thigh, straight leg Most versatile

Slim hip & thigh, slight taper

Slim through leg, slim opening

Slim through thigh, straight leg

Sizing system

Waist + inseam specific (28"–44" × 28"–36") Best sizing

Waist + inseam (28"–42" × 28"–34")

Waist + length (XS–3XL, limited lengths)

Waist + inseam (28"–38" × 28"–34")

Fabric

Cotton / Cotton + 2% elastane (Flex)

Cotton / Cotton + elastane GapFlex

Cotton + polyester blend (slight stretch)

Premium cotton + elastane blend Softest hand

Wash range

50+ washes, seasonally updated Widest range

15–20 washes

6–8 washes (core only)

20–30 washes

Brand heritage

Levi's — 1853, San Francisco Deepest heritage

Gap — 1969, San Francisco

Uniqlo — 1984, Japan

AG — 2000, Los Angeles

Denim quality

Good — genuine cotton denim, ages well

Good — comparable to Levi's

Moderate — polyester blend feels less authentic

Excellent — premium Japanese selvedge-inspired Best fabric

Sale availability

Frequent — Kohl's/JCPenney 30–40% off

Frequent — Gap sale 40–50% off

Rare — Uniqlo rarely discounts core items

Occasional — Nordstrom Rack from $80

Best for

All-round versatility, wide size range, value

Everyday casual, deep sale value

Budget, simple wardrobe, smaller frames

Premium feel, fashion-forward buyers, softer fabric

What buyers say

53,290 verified reviews from men who wear the 511 daily. The most-reviewed denim product on our platform — by a wide margin.

Read all site reviews →

4.7

★★★★★

Based on 53,290 verified reviews

5 ★

78%

4 ★

14%

3 ★

2 ★

1 ★

David Marchetti

🇮🇹 Milan, Italy · ✓ Verified Purchase · 1 week ago

I work in fashion and still wear Levi's 511s three days a week. This is a compliment.

I work in menswear retail in Milan and am surrounded by designers, buyers, and stylists who spend a lot on clothing. The 511 is the jean that appears more frequently on people in this industry than any designer alternative — not because it's fashionable this season, but because the fit is simply correct. Slim through the hip and thigh, straight leg opening that works with everything from Sambas to Oxford shoes to Chelsea boots, dark washes that read as smart in client meetings and casual at aperitivo. The Rock Cod wash (near-black) is particularly useful — it reads as a dark trouser from a distance and a denim on close inspection. I own four pairs across two washes. At €79.99 with European size availability including proper inseam lengths, it's the most sensible denim purchase a European man can make.

Arjun Kapoor

🇮🇳 Mumbai, India · ✓ Verified Purchase · 2 weeks ago

The Flex Stretch version changed how I dress for the office. Jeans that feel like trousers.

I work in finance in Mumbai's BKC — a smart-casual office where denim is acceptable but needs to look intentional. The 511 Flex Stretch in Rigid Dark Indigo gives me exactly what I need: it looks like a carefully considered slim jean from the outside, and feels like stretch trousers on the inside. I sit at a desk for eight hours and commute via the Western Line — the 2% elastane makes the difference between comfortable and uncomfortable all-day denim wear. My previous jeans were standard rigid denim and I'd be shifting uncomfortably in my seat by 2pm. The 511 Flex has eliminated that entirely. I pair it with leather Oxford shoes for client meetings and Samba OGs for casual days — both work perfectly with the straight leg opening. At ₹5,500 it's not a cheap purchase but it's well worth the price for daily work wear.

Tom Wheeler

🇬🇧 Manchester, UK · ✓ Verified Purchase · 3 weeks ago

I'm 5'8" with a 29" inseam. Finding jeans that fit in length without hemming is impossible. The 511 does it.

I have been hemming jeans my entire adult life. The standard 30" inseam option that most brands offer adds approximately 1.5–2" to my correct length. Levi's offers a 29" inseam on the 511 in most core washes — and it fits me off the rack without any alteration. I cannot overstate how significant this is for shorter men who want jeans that break correctly on the shoe without bunching at the ankle. I bought the Rigid Dark Indigo in 31×29 (I ordered the extra inch in waist to accommodate my thighs) and the fit is the best straight-out-of-the-bag fit I've had in jeans at any price. The inseam-specific sizing is the 511's most underrated feature for men outside the mainstream height range. British men — check the Levi's.com EU site which ships to UK and stocks the short inseam options that Topman and ASOS fail to provide consistently.

Seun Phillips

🇺🇸 Atlanta, GA · ✓ Verified Purchase · 4 weeks ago

Kohl's 30% off sale + a Kohl's Cash reward = I paid $33 for these. Genuine Levi's quality for $33.

Let me share the best-kept secret in denim shopping. The Levi's 511 retails at $69.50 but Kohl's almost always has Levi's at 20–30% off — plus Kohl's Cash on qualifying purchases. I timed my purchase last month: Levi's 30% off event ($48.65) plus $10 Kohl's Cash reward on a $50 order = effective price of $38.65 on a $50 purchase. My 511s in Rigid Dark Indigo are genuine Levi's, identical to what's sold on Levi's.com, for $38.65. The fit is perfect on my 33×32 build — I carry some weight in the thighs but the 511 at true size fits without the tightness I experience in competitor slim jeans. The dark indigo wash is deep and rich and hasn't faded noticeably after three months of once-weekly washing. This is the best value proposition in American men's fashion right now.

Hiro Cho

🇯🇵 Tokyo, Japan · ✓ Verified Purchase · 5 weeks ago

★★★★☆

Four stars — excellent jeans, but athletic thighs need to size up one waist and use a belt

I want to give specific sizing advice for men with athletic builds because I wasted two returns before getting this right. I'm 175cm, 78kg with muscular thighs from training. At my true waist (32") the 511 fit perfectly through the waist and seat but was uncomfortably tight through my upper thigh — particularly sitting on trains. The solution: order 34×32 (one waist size up) and wear with a belt. The seat and waist have a little extra room that the belt manages perfectly, and the thigh is comfortable through a full day of sitting and standing. The silhouette from the knee down is identical to a true 32. This is a common problem for athletic men with slim jeans — the 511 is not unique in this — but Levi's waist-and-inseam sizing makes the workaround clean. Four stars because the sizing guidance on their site doesn't mention this for athletic builds; five stars for the denim quality and silhouette.

Nicolas Bouchard

🇨🇦 Montreal, Canada · ✓ Verified Purchase · 6 weeks ago

The rigid 511 develops character with age. My 2-year-old pair looks better than the day I bought it.

I bought my first pair of 511s in Rigid Dark Indigo two years ago. They've been washed about every 10–15 wears as Levi's recommends. The result after two years of regular wear is a pair of jeans with personal fading patterns — lighter at the front thigh and knee where I carry the fabric stress, deeper blue at the calf and seat where they're less worn. The pocket corners have the beginning of the natural honeycombing that raw denim enthusiasts chase in $300 selvedge jeans. The cotton has softened to a comfortable drape while retaining the structure of good denim. This is what quality cotton denim does over time — it becomes yours. I've since bought a second pair in the Begonia medium wash for casual wear. At $69.50 these are the best-value investment in a man's wardrobe I've experienced. Quebec winters are also no problem — denim is genuinely season-appropriate year-round.

Mateus Oliveira

🇧🇷 Curitiba, Brazil · ✓ Verified Purchase · 7 weeks ago

Sneakerhead's jeans: the straight leg opening works with every single pair in my collection

I collect sneakers — currently 23 pairs including Nike Air Force 1s, Adidas Sambas, New Balance 990s, Jordan 1s, and Vans Old Skools. Finding jeans that work with all of them is genuinely difficult. Skinny jeans look wrong with chunky sneakers. Wide-leg jeans overwhelm low-profile shoes. The 511 Slim's straight leg opening — not tapered, just straight — is the solution. The hem sits over every sneaker silhouette without either bunching up (too tight) or swallowing the shoe (too wide). The Rigid Dark Indigo wash works as the neutral base that lets every colourway of sneaker read correctly. I wear the 511 in 30×32 (I'm 178cm) with Sambas to university, Air Force 1s to the weekend market, and New Balances on rest days. All three look intentional and correct. This is the sneaker jean. No other slim jean works across this variety of shoe silhouettes.

Emeka Okafor

🇬🇧 London, UK · ✓ Verified Purchase · 9 weeks ago

Bought my dad his first Levi's at 62. He asked why he'd worn anything else for the last 40 years.

My father is 62 and has worn supermarket-brand jeans his entire adult life — always complaining they're either too baggy in the seat or too tight in the waist. I bought him a pair of 511s in 36×30 for Christmas after reading reviews about the fit system. His first reaction putting them on was silence, then: "these actually fit properly." The 511's waist-and-inseam sizing gave him jeans that are proportionate in waist and correct in length simultaneously — something no S/M/L or simplified sizing system can achieve. He's now bought two more pairs. He wants to know why he spent 40 years in ill-fitting jeans when a correctly engineered product at £65 was available. My answer: most clothing brands don't tell you about products that last. The 511 lasts. Levi's has been making jeans since 1853 and this is why.

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