Levi’s 514 and 514 are interesting developments over Levi’s 501. Since the early and late ‘60s, Levi’s 501 has been some of the most revered jeans for men. However, this changed over the decades. It seems that Levi’s 513 is the modern alternative to 501s. Still, the 513 jeans are mostly similar to 514 even if these jeans have a different cut.

This article looks deeper into what makes Levi’s jeans so popular, particularly in the case of 513s and 514s. These jeans are made with a slim straight cut and with a straight cut which means they overlap for style and fit at times. But which ones should you choose? Most importantly, why would you choose one over another?
Here at JeansOutfits.com, we’ve been taking a closer look at some of the highest-selling Levi’s in our latest comparisons. We’ve seen just how different these jeans can be in a fit and in footwear compatibility. The story is similar with the 513 and 514 jeans which seem to be comparable but yet, they remain different in footwear compatibility.
Key Take Aways
- Levi’s 513 and 514 are modern alternatives to the classic 501 jeans.
- Levi’s 513 offers a slim straight cut, while Levi’s 514 features a traditional straight cut.
- Both jeans sit below the waist and run slightly small at the waist.
- Levi’s 513 has a narrower leg opening (15.75 inches), suitable for various shoe types.
- Levi’s 514 has a wider leg opening (16.5 inches), ideal for boots and thicker shoes.
- Styling options include casual shoes or boots with loose-fitting tops for a sharp look.
- Consider adding fitted flannel shirts or vests for added style and warmth.
- Despite slight differences, both jeans offer timeless style and durability.
- The choice between Levi’s 513 and 514 depends on personal fit and footwear preference.
Levi’s 513 Slim Straight Cut Defined
Levi’s 513 jeans are a type of denim pants made with a slim straight cut. This hybrid uses a slim cut above the knee and a slim straight cut below the knee. The straight cut is one of the classic cuts in jeans as it has been around for a few decades.

High expectations are seen even today in straight jeans. Here’s the deal, some say Levi’s jeans aren’t what they used to be. Others confuse the different types of denim blends of the 513 jeans by saying they are different. They might appear so, but they differ in denim according to wash selection.
The 513s are slim jeans first and straight jeans second. This means they fit a bit snugly along the thighs and posterior. These men’s jeans that make your butt look good are some of the most revered denim pants for guys looking for pants that are a bit more flattering than regular cut jeans (think Levi’s 550 and 559). The 513s are made for guys who love their bodies. If you’re bodybuilding, lifting weights, or into sports, you might already be familiar with these pants.
Designed to sit below the waist, these jeans don’t feel like grandpa jeans either. Made with a lower rise to what’s been traditionally offered in the first slim fit jeans for men, the 513s are ideal for men of all ages, unlike the 550s which primarily target mature men.

- Sits below waist
- Slim through seat and thigh
- Straight leg
- Zip fly
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Levi’s 514 Slim Straight Cut Defined
A very similar story can be said about Levi’s 514 jeans. These impress with their traditional straight-cut functionality. If you need proper jeans that are made for longevity and excellent compatibility with boots, these should be high up your list.

The 514s are also 100% cotton jeans that are also available in elastic denim versions such as the 513s. The 514 jeans from Levi’s sit below the waist. Practically, these jeans are made for casual outfits. I’d be careful in choosing any of these for dress shirts. Otherwise, they will go excellently with any casual outfit for men that is based on jeans.
For the most part, these jeans look best with boots. However, men who choose them over other Levi’s tend to wear them with other footwear.
One of the main benefits of the 514s is affordability. You can get these jeans affordably if you live in the US (not so much outside of the United States). Price plays an important role in our comparison as men who favor jeans for boots normally have to buy matching boots as well. Furthermore, straight jeans for boots aren’t easy to wear all day and they aren’t your first pair of jeans either. This is where Levi’s got it right again.

- Sits below waist
- Regular through seat and thigh
- Straight leg
- Zip
Levi’s 513 vs 514 – Similarities and Differences
So what is the difference between Levi’s 513 and 514? The leg opening is the main difference between these jeans. The 513 is slimmer overall in the thigh and below the knee. The 514 jeans have a wider leg opening, specific to bootcut jeans.

Sat Comfortably below the waist
Both the 513 and 514 jeans sit just below the waist. You might need a cool belt to hold these jeans in place. However, here’s the deal. The 513 and 514 jeans aren’t true in size. After asking men what they think about fit it turns out all of them think these two pairs of jeans run a bit small at the waist.
Both the 513 and the 514 jeans run an inch small at the waist. However, this hasn’t been an issue for guys as they just sit better and they don’t need a belt to stay up.
Ideal for a bit of comfort which isn’t the norm with other slim jeans, these two pairs of pants from Levi’s is made for all-day wear. However, you need to know the differences, even if they’re small.
The 513 being slim jeans they sit better at the waist and around the posterior. The snug seat makes these jeans ideal for guys who want to look sexy. On the other hand, the 514s are a bit roomier at the posterior which makes them a bit more comfortable.

Slim without being tight
Both the 513s and 514s proved pleasant surprises. These jeans are ideal for making you feel a bit more comfortable. Furthermore, they aren’t as slim as other slim jeans (think Zara or Pull and Bear). They are among the most interesting pants for men in the age group of 25 to 40. Slim but not overly slim, these make you look good but still like adult men and not like a teenager.
The 514 jeans are even looser which recommends them for guys who might gain a few pounds in the future. If you have a sedentary lifestyle the 514 jeans are going to fit better when you gain extra weight as they last at least 5 years.
Levi’s 513 Slim Straight Jeans With 15.75” leg opening
The fun part of the comparison begins now. The leg opening is wide in these two pairs of jeans. From the pair, the 513 gets the narrowest leg opening of 15.75”. This recommends them for all types of shoes. Casual shoes, office shoes, work shoes, reinforced steel toe shoes, and others look great in these jeans. You’d have to force yourself a bit to look good in thick upper boots in these pants.

Levi’s 514 Straight Jeans With 16.5” leg opening
Made with a wider leg opening, the 514 jeans from Levi’s are ideal for boots and for thick upper shoes. You can wear them with your favorite Timberland boots, Chelsea boots, chukka boots, and even with other sportier shoes. Sneakers are often seen on guys wearing these jeans which goes to show it’s not all about definitions in the world of jeans. I’ve seen at least a dozen guys wearing Vans with 514s which shows they don’t even care about the straight cut around the ankle which accommodates boots.

How to look good wearing Levi’s 513 and 514 jeans?
Can you look attractive in Levi’s jeans? Yes, you can surely look great even in these Levi’s if you know what to pair them with.
Choose casual shoes and boots
Casual shoes and boots look best with these two pairs of jeans. You don’t want to get office shoes for them as they look out of place. Some of the footwear recommended for these jeans includes ankle boots as well as sporty or casual shoes with a narrow upper.
Embrace loose T-shirts
Loose tops look great with slim fit jeans. Straight jeans such as the 514s are among the favorites of loose tops as well. You can wear all types of loose tops or even relaxed fit untucked casual shirts with these jeans to look sharp.
Consider fitted flannel shirts
Untucked flannel-lined shirts are ideal for these Levi’s jeans. You can wear contrasting colors to make your jeans and footwear stand out even more. Both the 513s and the 514s are advertised by male models wearing tucked T-shirts but we rarely see men wearing these jeans like this.
Vests are often forgotten with jeans
Vests can also go a long way if you prefer to wear your top tucked with the 513s and 514s. Down vests can be ideal for a bit of warmth and to offer your torso a bit of structure when wearing these jeans.
Conclusion
Highly versatile, these slim straight jeans are worth their price. The only real drawback is their smaller waist as described above. However, you can always go a size up in waist as these jeans are easily found in all sizes for the ultimate versatility.
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