Writer and expert5 years ago

Levi’s is today synonymous with premium American denim, with a heritage stretching all the way back to the 1870s. At that time, workers were flocking to the West of America in search of fortune and the American dream. These tireless workers needed workwear that would endure, so Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis teamed up to combine quality denim with rivet reinforcements; creating the first pair of blue jeans: the Levi’s® 501® Original.

Since then, Levi’s brand has established itself across the world as America’s purveyor of premium denim. The 501® Original went on to give birth to a full range of denim styles with varying fits and finishes in an attempt to customise denim to its wearer. Helping you find the perfect style and fit for you, our Levi's fit guide will walk you through measurements, styles and the top FAQs about the brand.

Two people linking arms in Levi denim jackets

FAQs

#1 When did Levi’s start?

Levi Strauss was born in Bavaria in 1829, going on to be the founder of Levi Strauss & Co in 1853. After moving to San Francisco, Levi’s were the first company to manufacture blue denim, receiving a U.S Patent in 1873. Growing ever since, Levi’s are still considered the be the original and the best denim brand around.

#2 Are Levi’s true to size?

Yes! Levi’s fit perfectly true to size, especially as they use waist and length measurements rather than generalised sizing, making it even easier to get the perfect fit.

#3 How to find the right size in Levi’s jeans?

To find your perfect Levi’s fit you should measure yourself. Making sure they’ll fit right from waist to ankle, you want to measure your waist, hips and the length of your leg from crotch to ankle in inches. Once you have these measurements, you’ll be able to work out your perfect size, trusting your new jeans will fit like a glove.

#4 Do Levi’s jeans stretch?

The amount your Levi’s jeans stretch depends on the style, but overall, Levi’s jeans have very little elastane in, being made using traditional weaving techniques and high-quality cotton. While the skinny jeans styles do have elastane so have a bit of stretch, the straight leg styles can have as little as 1% elastane.

However, the cotton will soften with wear, so they will be looser on day 3 than they were fresh out of the washing machine. But their high-quality material means they’ll snap back to shape with every wash, so you want to make sure they’re comfortable from day one.

#5 What do the Levi's numbers mean?

Using their signature three digital numbering system, Levi’s guides us in choosing the perfect style for your body shape and aesthetic. For men, each number in the Levi’s collection signifies the overall sit, including the rise of the waist, the cut of the leg opening, and the fit of the seat. For women, each style number indicates the fit through the waist, hips and thighs, with many leg shapes and cuts to choose from. Once you have your perfect fit, you will be able to focus completely on the aesthetics of your denim safe in the knowledge that you will get a perfect fit each time. With that said, allow us to guide you through Levi’s denim styles with our Levi's fit guide for men and women.

Levi's Fit Guide For Men And Women

Men's Styles (Click to view)

501® Original 502® 504™ Regular Straight 510™ Skinny 511™ Skinny 514™ Straight 519™ Extreme Skinny

Women's Styles (Click to view)

501® Original 501® CT 710™ Super Skinny 711™ Skinny 721™ High Rise Skinny 712™ Slim 714™ Straight 715™ Bootcut Mile High Super Skinny™

Men's Levi's Fit Guide & Styles

501®

The iconic straight fit with the signature button fly since 1873, the Levi's 501® Original is the quintessentially classic Levi's jean. The original button fly design has remained virtually unchanged since their origins almost 150 years ago, while a new CT version evolves the iconic design with a customised tapered leg.

501® Original

Sits at waist
Button fly
Regular fit through thigh
Straight leg
16" leg opening

502®

Sits at waist
Zip fly
Relaxed through hip & thigh
Tapered leg 17" leg opening

504™ Regular Straight

The Levi's 504™ is cut with a modern straight fit, sitting just below the waist with a slimmer leg.

Sits below waist
Regular fit through thigh
Straight leg

510™ Skinny

The skinniest jean in the Levi's range, the 510™ skinny is cut with a close fit with a little extra stretch in the fabric for extra mobility. The jeans are designed to sit low at the waist, slim through the thigh and down to the ankle for a rockstar look.

Sits below waist
Skinny from hip to ankle
Skinny leg

511™ Slim Fit

The Levi's 511™ is designed with a modern slim fit and enough room to move. The slimmer fit sits just below the waist for a sleek, on-trend look and are cut for a slim fit through from the hip down to the ankle. Complete your look with some crisp white sneakers or combats boot.

Sits below waist
Slim from hip to ankle
Slim leg

512™ Slim Taper

Similar to the 511 style, the Levi's 512 style is made with a narrower leg. The jeans sit below the waist and has a narrower fit through the seat and thighs. Create more casual look by teaming with an oversized boxy T-shirt or pair with a cuban collar shirt and jacket for smart casual style.

514™ Straight

The Levi's 514™ are a modern take on the classic 501®, designed with a slimmer leg without being skinny. A low rise that sits just below the waist and a regular fit through the thigh make the 514 your perfect casual jean.

Sits below waist
Regular fit through thigh
Straight leg

519™ Extreme Skinny

A contemporary fit for the guy who likes his jeans cut super close, the Levi's 519™ are classic skinnies made skinnier. The 519 Extreme Skinny jeans feature a mid rise that sits below the waist and is super skinny from the hip all the way down to the ankle. Built for slim builds, the Levi's 519 also feature a touch of spandex for greater stretch, mobility and comfort.

Extreme skinny leg
Mid rise
Super skinny from hip to waist
High stretch ability
Perfect for different wearing occasions

Women's Levi's Fit Guide & Styles

501® Original and 501 Crop

"The original straight fit"

Mid rise
Relaxed through hip & thigh
Straight leg
Button fly

501® CT

"The original, customised and tapered"

Mid rise
Relaxed through hip & thigh
Tapered leg
Button fly

710 Super Skinny

"The seriously sexy fit"

A bestselling style, the Levi's 710 Super Skinny is an ultra-sleek cut that hugs your figure in all the right ways. The jean is finished with the skinniest leg in the women's collection for a sharp silhouette.

Mid rise
Slim through hip & thigh
Super skinny leg
Advanced stretch

711 Skinny

"The perfect go-to fit"

Slim through the hip and thigh with a classic skinny leg and flattering mid-rise, the 711 have become a modern classic for a reason. Crafted from innovative stretch denim designed to flatter, hold and lift, the 711 is suitable for all body types.

Mid rise
Slim through hip & thigh
Skinny leg

721 High Rise Skinny

"The modern pin-up fit"

A standout style from Levi's iconic 700 series, the 721 are cut to be slim through the hip and thigh with a classic skinny leg and high rise waist.

High rise
Slim through hip & thigh
Skinny leg

712 Slim

"The timeless chic fit"

Crafted from innovative stretch denim designed to flatter, hold and lift, the 712 jean offers a timeless look with a slim fit through the hip and thigh, a slim leg and a flattering mid rise.

Mid rise
Slim through hip & thigh
Slim leg

714 Straight

"The essential straight fit"

The 714 has established itself as the essential straight fit in the 700 series. The jean is slim through the hip and thigh with a straight leg and flattering mid-rise.

Mid rise
Slim through hip & thigh
Straight leg

715 Bootcut

"The ultimate leg-lengthening fit"

The perfect jean for elongating your silhouette, the 715 bootcut is slim through the hip and thigh with a bootcut leg for the ultimate leg-lengthening fit.

Mid rise
Slim through hip & thigh
Bootcut

Mile High Super Skinny

"Our highest jeans yet, creating a super sleek silhouette"

The highest jeans yet in the Levi's archive, the Mile High Super Skinny is designed with an ultra high rise and a super skinny leg with plenty of stretch.