20 Best High-Waisted Jeans, According to Style Experts
We scoured the market for the highest-rises with the greatest fits (at some of the lowest prices).
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Ah, the welcome return of high-rise jeans. In a response to the low, low, low rises of Y2K fashion, designers began offering up an above-the navel alternative to those belly-baring, barely-there flies. And, as the fashion pendulum is wont to do, it swung us all the way back to the denim decades that preceded us.
“This iteration of high-rise jeans really feels like the best of both fashion worlds,” says Kristen Saladino, Hearst Executive Fashion Director. “You get that cool 70s vibe coming through with the signature high-waist of that era, but you also reap the benefits of 2022 denim production: cleaner lines, more flattering fits, a variety of cuts and washes, not to mention more socially conscious practices. All of those factors have contributed to why we’ve seen this particular style explode over the last couple of years.”
And it explode it has. Today, options abound: every major denim brand boasts high-waist styles, and they’re available everywhere, so price tags can range from $20 to upwards of $200! Of course, shopping for the perfect pair can be tricky, but a few key fit tips will guide you through. “The button should at least cover your belly button and can go all the way up to the bottom of the your rib cage,” says Saladino. “The goal is to create a defined waistline and accentuate curves. So while you can get a pair that has a baggy or oversized leg, the rise itself should always be flush against your body.”
Also, remember that anything from a 10-inch to a 13-inch rise can qualify as high; measuring what that will look like relative to your own torso helps you navigate the right pair. Generally, the higher the rise, the longer your legs look, but you’re also shopping for wearability and comfort — so if an 11-inch fly makes you feel like you’re wearing jeans up to your neck, or like you’re one sneeze away from cracking a rib, you may want to start with something lower. That’s the beauty of having an omnipresent denim style like the high-rise — there is something for everyone.
Below, some of the best high-waisted jeans — both budget picks and style splurges — that you can wear myriad ways no matter what silhouette you love (straight, flare, bootcut, cropped and yes, skinny!), what size you need and what vibe you’re going for.
Levi's Wedgie High Waist Crop Straight Leg Jeans
If ever there were a high-waisted jeans GOAT, these would be it. With a special booty-lifting, hip-skimming design, this fashion-editor fave is known for showcasing curves. They look just as fresh with a pair of white kicks as they do with a point-toe pump, thanks to the cropped cut which flashes just the right amount of skin at the ankle. A true all-year-round buy that has not (and will not) ever go out of style.
Boasting 5% spandex, this surprisingly soft skinny jean is also affordable. Shoppers love how comfortable and durable they are, but suggest sizing down thanks to that high stretch factor: buying a snugger fit will give you longer wear and a neater look. Available in three washes, we're particularly into the dark rinse.
Lee Missy Classic Fit Monroe Straight-Leg Jean
A no-fuss classic with a straight leg, just-above-the-navel rise and multiple washes to choose from, it’s hard to ignore the siren song of these under-$35 denim marvels. Perfect if you’re just looking to dip your toe in the high-waist waters, these level up a mid-rise and have a lot of room in the seat and through the thigh. Made with just 1% stretch, this pair — according to its 6,000+ positive Amazon reviews — keeps it shape through tons of wears.
With an 11-inch rise, this pair is made from non-stretch Japanese denim (so, they keep that rigid feel of vintage jeans) and has a relaxed straight leg. Plus, since Everlane’s denim factory is LEED-certified, the process for making their jeans reduces their CO2 emissions by 80%. So, we’re not saying you must buy them, but we are saying your wardrobe (and your conscience) will be all the better for it if you do. Just be sure to size down as this pair tends to run big.
The Gap is where Goldilocks would go if she needed jeans because they'd undoubtedly have the pair that is just right. With an incredibly comprehensive offering, they carry sizes ranging from 24-35, as well as Petite and Tall length categories. We were particularly impressed by this comfy, high-rise pair for tall women. Because an above-the-belly-button fit elongates legs, it can be difficult to find a pair that balances already-long legs without shortening the torso. Thanks to a relaxed leg and seat (not to mention that 34-inch inseam), these ankle-skimming jeans prove that this style truly is for every body.
If your body doesn't fall into what brands classify as "regular", jean shopping can be a nightmare. For petite frames, this is both frustrating and expensive (any woman under 5'3" will gladly share her tailor's info with you). But there's good news: designers have not only been churning out inseams with shorter lengths (these fall at 23.5"), but they're also adjusting the rise by meaningful fractions (going from a 10-inch to a 9.75 makes a huge difference). These got extra points for other flattering features like the demi-boot cut (for a figure-balancing effect), the ankle-grazing crop (for leg-lengthening) and the mid-leg fade in pigment (slimming and, frankly, really good-looking).
In addition to elongating legs, a higher rise is intended to nip in at the waist, hugging the contours of the body and highlighting curves. This light wash pair from ASOS Curve is available in sizes 14-24 and solves for that waist-gap issue that many shoppers have rightfully complained about. Thanks to its self-proclaimed "slouchy" fit, there's a relaxed seat and baggy leg, but the rise remains fitted and tailored.
The higher the rise the longer your legs will look — that’s just fashion fact. But when you factor in a brand that’s known for flattering silhouettes, you get legs for days. Available in four different washes, don't sleep on the Orland Signature, which is a wardrobe workhorse and looks super expensive, belying that under $50 price tag.
Whether you wear these with a tucked-in tee, crop top and blazer combo or form-fitting sweater, these jeans will level up any look. And that's also why we think they're worth the expensive price tag (you will absolutely wear these often enough to justify it.) Like their name suggests, these pinch in at your waist. Because they're made from 100% organic cotton, there's not much give, so you'll want to size up. The 11.5" inch rise combined with the slight kick flare cut creates a smooth and sexy silhouette making legs look a mile long.
A decidedly more 2022 take on the skinny jean, this light-washed pair has more of an easy, slim-straight fit. In other words, you get all of the smoothing snugness of your beloved skinnies with more comfort, a booty lift and no shade from TikTok. Built to combat the dreaded "waist-gap" so many women experience, these solve for that problem.
Like the vintage jeans these were inspired by, this cool, cropped pair has minimal stretch and snugly follows the lines of your shape. More forgiving than a jegging, but more fit than a classic straight leg, these boast a 12-inch rise and are particularly great if you're looking to stay in your denim comfort zone. Plus, these are made with 6% recycled polyester, 7% recycled cotton and are part of Gap's water-saving Washwell program.
While crisp white jeans will likely never go out of style, we are so happy to welcome their cool, low-key cousin: the ecru jean. A color that you can wear all year (putting that pesky, outdated no-white-after-Labor Day nonsense to bed), this casual cream shade pairs just as beautifully with a chunky, oversized knit as it does with a vintage cropped tee.
DL1961 boasts a "fiber to finished garment" process to make all of their denim, but this new line, Recover, takes that approach even further. Using recycled clothes, these are produced in a vertically integrated facility using energy efficient tools, organic cotton and a commitment to conserving water. Their most impressive stat: "Jeans typically take about 1,500 gallons of water to produce, but ours take less than 10 gallons." And while we are — of course — thrilled that such sustainable practices are taking place behind the scenes, we can't deny that a good-looking jean is still the coin of the realm. And this waist-nipping pair in a classic blue wash look amazing — a win-win on all fronts.
Come for the 12-inch rise, stay for the straight leg and ankle-length crop. The quintessential vintage denim (translation: rigid, no stretch), this light wash pair achieves the miraculous feat of a navel-grazing rise with a pinched-in waist that does not gap and a roomy seat with super-flattering back pockets. The perfect slouchy pair for every weekend.
If skinnies are your go-to, double down not only by hanging onto yours but adding to your collection. To that end, we were really impressed by this pair from Amazon. The quality and cut feel way more expensive than the under $35 price tag, and shoppers raved about the flattering fit.
There’s a reason these are aptly named the Perfect Vintage Jean —they look incredible on all body types and feel like heaven. Fitted snugly through the hip and nipping in at the waist, this is a must-have staple in your wardrobe. The tapered legs contribute to that retro 90s style, and the cropped cut furthers the elongating effect.
This indigo wash pair combines the quality of a durable rigid denim with a fresh take on a classic style. The rise fits glove-like on the body, eliminating any of that extra bagginess near the crotch area (which the mom jeans of yesteryear were definitely guilty of). Plus, ASOS has an incredible return policy, so these are a no-pressure buy and try.
A modern flare balances the body by creating a similar fullness on the bottom of the leg. Though they look like a polished, structured denim, these have a buttery-soft texture and are actually made with a super-stretch denim designed to lift and smooth your curves. Wear them with a point-toe flat to create an even longer-looking leg, or add some height with a chunky, leather clog.
The fashion equivalent of a Tesla, these denim darlings are beloved by style insiders, expensive (yes) but worth it. The price might give you pause, but if jeans have become your daily uniform, consider these an absolute essential. Known for their impossibly accurate fits, incredible texture and modern re-imaginings of classic silhouettes, MOTHER jeans can instantly transform your whole look. Made with 2% elastane, they're wildly comfortable, but also keep tummies tucked in and backsides lifted.
Leave it to Zara to make even ripped jeans look chic. The wash is quintessential 90s, but the fit feels like something a cool French girl would wear in 2022. Strategically placed tears give an edgy vibe to this wide-legged, floor-grazing style. Made to mimic the rigid styles of vintage jeans, there's very little give in the snatched waist, so we suggest to size up for comfort.
