511™ SLIM JEANS
Whether because of glossy magazines or billboards on the highway, for many people classic blue jeans look just like Levi’s 511 Premium Slim Fit Men’s Jeans. These dark-wash jeans sit just under the waist, with trim legs that still let your calves and ankles breathe. The Levi’s brand—from the signature yellow threading to the arch stitching splashed across the back pockets—is instantly recognizable. But beyond the 511 jeans’ good looks, everyone who tested them noted that they were comfortable, well constructed, and slim from the thigh down. For the price, the Levi’s 511s are a terrific pair of slim straight jeans; their construction is solid, and the stitching feels sturdy. As opposed to skinny jeans (which wrap tightly around the knee, calves, and ankles), the 511s leave room for your lower legs to breathe; they’re called straight jeans because the leg opening doesn’t taper for a tighter fit. And thanks to the addition of 1% elastane, there’s some stretch for additional comfort—but not so much that this pair struggled to return to the original shape. Standard & Strange’s Neil Berrett noted that the 511s have a bit of visual texture, too, with white flecks feathered throughout the indigo fabric. The jeans felt of a higher quality than the similarly priced competition, and they barely shrank in washer and dryer tests (about 2½ inches total across all dimensions).