Levi's Men's 508 Tapered Jeans

Product Information

You can learn more about Levi's history in our dedicated guide to vintage Levi's jeans. Terms to Know

Pear-Shaped: For those with a pear-shaped body whose hips are wider than the shoulders, the 508 jeans can help create a balanced look. The roomier thigh area can comfortably fit wider hips, and the tapered leg can create a visually slimming effect.

504

Levi’s 511 jeans are intended to be worn slim throughout, ensuring a refined and polished look. With their emphasis on modernity, these jeans cater to individuals seeking a slim leg and a contemporary fit that complements a wide range of outfits. Levi’s 508 jeans, known for their regular taper fit with extra room in the thigh and a tapered leg, are designed to provide a comfortable and stylish option for individuals with certain body types. But not quite jeans at large. These kinds of trousers already existed. Levi’s just popularized (and patented) ones with rivets. The reinforcements were originally for workers, who would inevitably work (pun intended) their way through usual pants, creating a market for more durable ones. (Hence the logo, a visual of two horses tied to the pants trying to rip them apart.) By 1890, the patent expired and Levi’s was no longer the style’s exclusive manufacturer. Cue numerical values: first being the 501 (and the 201, an affordable alternative). Though the reasoning for the numbering remains a mystery, Levi’s used it as the foundation for styles to come: the 505, 511 and so on and so forth. Denim: The fabric used to make jeans, this strong cotton twill is dyed with indigo which gives it a distinctive blue shade. In recent years, this all-cotton fabric is woven with a small percentage of stretch material for comfort. The fantastic news is that many sizes (waist and length) and colours are still available. The smallest size available is 28W x 30L (too small for a tall person) and the largest is 42W x 34L. In my previous review of these jeans I found that 34L still fit my long legs. Aside from the dark blue jeans shown above you can still get the following colours:

Slim Build: The 511 jeans are inherently designed for a slim fit, making them an excellent choice for individuals with a naturally slender physique. The slim leg of these jeans complements a slim body type, providing a sleek and well-proportioned look.Aside from length, my biggest issue with finding jeans has always been the fit around my quads (thank you squats and genetics). Most pants that fit me well in the waist end up being too narrow in the quads and on the rare occasion that they fit the pants are too short. One solution in the past was to buy jeans one size larger and get the waist taken in by a tailor. Whilst a good fix, it meant an additional tailoring cost on top of an already expensive pair of jeans. Shrink-to-Fit: While only available in a small number of Levi’s 501s, shrink-to-fit jeans are made from denim that has not been pre-shrunk in the factory. Jeans cut from this denim will shrink when soaked and will form to your body. Levi’s claims these jeans will shrink up to 10 percent after the first soak. All Levi’s jeans follow a similar naming sequence, beginning with the 501. But, the reason for the 501 designation is, as we said, a bit of a mystery. “Around 1890 is when we started calling our copper-riveted waist overalls the 501,” says Jonathan Cheung, the Senior Vice President of Design Innovation at Levi’s. The mystery surrounding the number is largely due to the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 that destroyed many of the company’s files. “The 501 was a product identification number, but we don’t know the reason why it was a three-digit number beginning with five,” said Cheung. So now, as an homage to the company’s legacy, all Levi’s fits are denoted by a number: 501, 505 and 511, among others. Each number denotes a cut designed for a specific style and body type.

Hourglass Figure: If you have an hourglass body shape with a defined waist and proportionate hips and shoulders, the 508 jeans can emphasize your curves while still providing comfort in the thigh area. Pair your Levi’s 508 jeans with a classic white t-shirt and sneakers for an effortlessly cool and comfortable outfit.

Fit

Before we get started, it’s important to know that this list encompasses all of Levi’s current standard offerings. As styles change, it’s entirely possible that some of these will end up being discontinued and new ones might be introduced. Similarly, there are sub-styles and variants that are not necessarily going to be listed independently, as they do not differ from other offerings in significant enough ways, though mention will be made in the style that most closely fits these variants. Similarly, there may be styles from the past that are not represented, as they are no longer produced.