The 511 has been the benchmark slim-cut jean for sixty years and it hasn't needed changing, which tells you everything. Proper cotton denim in the right weight, proportions that flatter most builds without being fashion-forward, and available in enough washes that you can find the right shade for your wardrobe without compromise. The five-pocket construction is executed correctly — the coin pocket actually fits a coin, the back pockets sit at the right height. Buy several in the washes that work for you and stop thinking about jeans.
Swedish denim done properly — Nudie uses organic cotton, construction that's better than the price demands, and a repair programme that means your jeans are looked after for life at any Nudie store worldwide. The Thin Finn's fit is exceptional for slim builds: tight through the seat and thigh, tapering to a clean ankle without looking drainpipe. The organic denim develops a natural fade over time that raw denim fans chase at twice the price. Worth the investment for anyone who actually wears their jeans daily.
Raw selvedge denim from Japanese mills — this is the top of the denim pyramid and the Weird Guy cut is where most enthusiasts end up after trying everything else. Unwashed and stiff at first, the denim gradually conforms to your body over months of wearing, developing fade patterns that are entirely personal to you and impossible to replicate. The selvedge ID on the outseam is the mark of quality, the Japanese mill construction is impeccable, and in two years these jeans will look unlike anything you can buy.