Levi’s 510 vs 511 Jeans Compared [What’s the Difference?]


In this article we compare Levi’s 510 vs 511 jeans. Both of these jeans have a tighter fit than regular jeans and are for people who prefer a slim, fitted cut in their jeans. In general, expect the 510 to be the skinnier cut.

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Levi’s slim and skinny jeans ranked by fit starting with the skinniest:

***Here’s my advice. If you want a quick understanding of 510 vs 511, then watch my short 90 second comparison video below. If you like the video, please subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking the button after this paragraph. Thanks!

The most significant difference between the Levi’s 510 and 511 jeans is how they fit. The 510 jeans are a skinny fit while the 511 jeans are a slim fit.

This means the 511 slim jeans, although still fitted in comparison to regular jeans, will have a bit of a looser fit than the 510 skinny jeans. The 510 jeans have a skinny leg opening of 13″, and the 511 jeans have a slim leg opening of 14.5″.

In the photo below, I have my pair of 510 jeans sitting on top on a pair of 511 jeans:

levis-510-vs-511-jeans
levis-510-vs-511

  • Levi’s 510 Men’s Jeans – Made to look slim and sleek. If you want a fitted cut, start your search here. No baggy, loose material. Slim through the hips and skinny at the ankle. This is the slimmest fit out of all of the jeans in this list. Flex fabric available for comfort. Click here to view the 510 jeans at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
  • Levi’s 511 Men’s Jeans – True slim fit jeans. Slim through the hips, thighs, and leg opening. Perfect fit if you want a fitted look that isn’t too skinny. Flex fabric available. Click here to view the 511 jeans at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).

In this article we will focus specifically on comparing the 510 vs 511 Levi jeans. I will use photos of the jeans that I own (I own both the 510 and 511). I wear the 511 style quite regularly, but for many people the 510’s might be the preferred choice.

levis-510-vs-511

What is the difference between the Levi’s 510 and 511?

511510
FitSlimSkinny
Leg Opening14.5″13″
SitsBelow WaistSits at Waist
FlyZipZip

In this article we will take a closer look at Levis 511 vs 510 to discuss the differences in fit and style, and what other types of Levi jeans might also work for you. As I said earlier, I personally wear the 511 jeans quite a bit, both as a work jean and as a casual jean. Here is a look at one of my pairs of 511 jeans:

levis-511-mens-jeans

***This article is property of workwearcommand.com***

Levi’s 510 vs 511 Fit

Both of these styles of jeans will fit tighter than regular jeans. These jeans are built for men who want a fitted look. That said, there is significant difference in fit between the 510 and 511 jeans. The 510 jeans have a skinny cut, while the 511 jeans have a slim cut.

In these pictures, I have a pair of my 510 jeans (dark) sitting on top of a pair of my 511 jeans (light blue):

levis-510-vs-511-jeans
levis-510-vs-511-thighs
levis-510-vs-511-legs
levis-510-vs-511-leg-openings

As you can see, the 510 jeans have a much slimmer fit than the 511 jeans. Choosing which one of these styles will work best for you basically comes down to this: Are you looking for a fit that hugs your legs (510) or a fit that just shows some shape without hugging your leg (511).

  • Levi’s 510 – Skinny from hip through ankle. Pictures here:
levis-510-jeans
leg-opening-510-levis-shoe
  • Levi’s 511 – Slim from hip through ankle. Pictures here:
levis-511-jeans-worn
leg-opening-511-boot

What Size to Order?

In my experience, both the 510 and 511 jeans have fit true-to-size, meaning the waist and the length was what I expected. ***I would add that the 510 jeans may run a touch small just because they are skinny jeans. If you are in-between sizes, I would advise sizing up the 510 jeans to make sure you have enough room to fit in these jeans.

As I said earlier in the article, I personally wear the 511’s quite often, and I think over all the years I have worn them, I have only ran into one pair that I felt was too snug in the waist. In general, my recommendation is to order your normal sizing for both the 510 and the 511 jeans.

Leg Opening

The way the jeans fit against your leg is not the only thing to consider. The leg opening of these jeans is much different and might impact which one works best for you.

levis-510-vs-511-leg-openings

As we discussed earlier, the 510 jeans have a skinny leg opening of 13″, and the 511 jeans have a slim leg opening of 14.5″. In general, both of these leg openings are smaller than regular jeans, but the 511 jeans will be wide enough to comfortably pair with certain types of boots (not work boots).

  • Levi’s 510 Jeans – 13″ leg opening
  • Levi’s 511 Jeans – 14.5″ leg opening

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the leg opening for the 510 and 511 jeans.

levis-510-vs-511

As you can see, even though the 511’s have a slim leg opening, it is a much looser fit around the ankle than the 510 jeans. Although the 510 jeans can be paired with certain types of boots, the 511 jeans have more versatility in that regard.

Levi’s 510 vs 511 Style Options

Because the 511 jeans are a popular style, Levi’s offers several different types of the 511 cut. For example, they offer:

  • 511 Chino Pants
  • 511 Hybrid Trouser Pants
  • 511 Corduroy Pants

For the most part, I have had a difficult time finding the 510 style offered in anything but jeans. But if you like the fit and style of the 510 jeans, and want more options, my advice is to check out the Levi’s 512 jeans. The 512 jeans are a slim-taper fit, and are a sort of hybrid between the 510 and the 511. The 512 jeans have a skinny fit near the ankle.

Levi’s 511 vs 510 Pictures

Here are additional pictures of the 511 and the 510 jeans for comparison. We will start with the 511 jeans.

511 Jeans

levis-511-jeans-worn
levis-511-jeans-leg-opening
levis-511-jeans

510 Jeans

levis-510-jeans
levis-510-jeans-leg-opening
leg-opening-510-levis-shoe
levis-510-jeans-side
levis-510-jeans-fly

***To read more about these jeans visit our Levi 511 review or our Levi 510 review.

Other Options to Consider Besides the 510 and 511 Jeans

Levi’s 512 Men’s Jeans – The 512’s have the same waist and upper-leg cut as the 511’s, but taper to a skinny leg opening. The 512’s are a sort of hybrid between the 510 and 511 and is a nice in-between of a slim fit and a skinny fit. A lot of colors, styles, and washes available for these jeans. Click here to view the Levi 512 jeans available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).

Levi’s 513 Men’s Jeans – If you want a slim cut that shows some figure, but are worried about it being too skinny, these 513’s may be the right cut for you. Slim cut waist and thighs with a straight leg opening, which gives you a tailored look without it hugging your legs like spandex. These will be a looser fit below the knee than both the 510 and 511 jeans. Click here to view the 513 jeans at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).

To read about other options, visit my article that discusses which Levi’s jeans are slim fit.


Where to Buy these Jeans?

510 Jeans

Click here to buy the 510 jeans at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These jeans are a skinny fit from hip through ankle.

511 Jeans

Click here to buy the 511 jeans at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These jeans are a slim fit from hip through ankle.

Paul Johnson

Paul is a lead content creator for Workwear Command. He has had several blue-collar jobs which have provided him a wide range of experience with tools and gear. He also has a business degree and has spent time in business casual office settings.

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