Levi's 511 vs. 514: What's The Difference?

[allcapitan]

What exactly is the difference between Levi's 511 and 514? When I go to their website, it says that both are low rise and slim straight. Is there a difference in the rise?

From what I can tell, the 511's have some distress marks above the thigh, but otherwise I can't really tell the difference. Also, are slim straights meant to be worn primarily in a very dark wash? I have a pair of very dark blue (almost black) 514's already, so I was thinking of getting another pair in a regular dark blue wash, instead of a nearly black color.

Allcap

 

[chronoaug]

Slim straights can be any wash. Some light, some dark, some in between, some predistressed. I believe the 511 is a slight taper and possibly a slimmer cut overall. Pretty much every levis jeans model has a number of different levels of wash/color/distressing.

 

[evacuatingheaven]

i'm pretty sure they carry the 511 at most urban outfitters right now. i tried them on last week and they're pretty sweet. The leg is more tapered than the 514, which is a straight leg i think.


i was going to go buy some 511's to hold me over until my rakers get here, but i bought some samurai's on sufu instead!

 

[allcapitan]

Cool. Which colors do you think looked best? The darker washes or medium washes? I am thinking of getting the medium blue (Riff). I am a couple of hours away from UO, so I have to rely on online shopping.


Allcap

Originally Posted by evacuatingheaven

i'm pretty sure they carry the 511 at most urban outfitters right now. i tried them on last week and they're pretty sweet. The leg is more tapered than the 514, which is a straight leg i think.


i was going to go buy some 511's to hold me over until my rakers get here, but i bought some samurai's on sufu instead!

 

[openchestwounds]

I'd say go down to a local department store and try on 511s vs 514s. You might even find a sick wash for cheap.

 

[chronoaug]

People here are going to reccomend a dark undistressed wash. I personally don't like the way most companies do their predistressing. If you look around the site some more, you'll see that people enjoy dark washes as opposed to light ones. Especially since it's pretty much winter still.

 

[Saucemaster]

Along with the taper below the knee, the 511s are slimmer overall. I literally had to size up two sizes (from a 30 to a 32) just to be able to fit my legs in the jeans, and even then I start losing circulation.... They're not kidding when they say "skinny".

 

[prozach1576]

Originally Posted by Saucemaster

Along with the taper below the knee, the 511s are slimmer overall. I literally had to size up two sizes (from a 30 to a 32) just to be able to fit my legs in the jeans, and even then I start losing circulation.... They're not kidding when they say "skinny".

Yeah, they're skinny as hell. And Levi's regular line tends to run pretty small on me.

 

[allcapitan]

Well, I just got a pair of 514's rigid scraped, in my usual waist size, 30. I feel like a boa constrictor is gripping me around the waist. I figured I was in a bit of trouble when I took a look at the tag: 100% cotton; my other 514's have a bit of spandex and are surprisingly comfy given the slim fit.

Do the 514 rigid scraped stretch through the waist with consistent wear? If the waist remains the same size, I don't think I can keep these. Did anyone who normally wears a 30" have to size up for the 514's as well?

Allcap

 

[chronoaug]

my 32s felt kinda big for me. My 32s also stretched to a 34.5 after a few days, maybe a week.

 

[allcapitan]

I just picked up a pair of 511's in 30/32. For the price, I'm amazed. The silhouette is great. The denim is very soft. And the spandex allows for just enough give so that the skinny fit remains surprisingly comfy. Levi's just knows what they are doing, period. I don't know how they do it, but all three pairs of Levi's I own: 511, 514 and silvertab modern boot are as soft as butter. Each pair is just as soft as a pair of Sacred Denim blue jeans I have which retail for $170, and I have yet to pair more than $35 for a pair of levi's.

Now, the next step is getting hooked up with a nice pair of kicks. I've got my black chucks of course, but am open to suggestions. Did I mention that Levi's knows what they are doing? I don't see the need to pay more.


Allcap

 

[cheapmutha]

levis is ****... i feel the need to pay more.

 

[newbien]

allcapitan which wash did you get for the 511?

 

[allcapitan]

I got them in the "riff" wash, which is a medium blue wash. There's some distress work on the jeans already. They're also available in black, and a very dark blue (rail). I figure since I already have 514's in a very dark blue, I figured I'd go with medium "blue" jeans this time to diversify my collection. I tried on a pair of 511's in black as well, but they looked rather plain to my eye. For me, I have a tough time finding jeans which cast a great silhouette AS WELL as fit comfortably, so whenever I find such a pair, I'm very pleased.

I'm certainly open to other options, however.

Allcap