Over the past five years, I’ve gained a few inches around my midsection. This has meant a complete change in the way I dress my body.
Since the late-1990s, low-rise jeans have been the thing. However, since the change in my body, I no longer feel comfortable in low-rise jeans. They magnify the weight in my midsection, they don’t stay up easily, and they are uncomfortable.
While I never thought five years ago, that I would be wearing high-rise jeans, I am. And I am so much happier in them, that I just donated all my low rise jeans to Goodwill.
Farrah Skinny Contour 360 ($198)
The AG Farrah is my favorite high-rise jean. It comes in a variety of washes and textured from classic to fashion forward.
I love AG’s Contour 360 fabric because it has stretch, but gives you support. So often stretchy jeans lose their shape, but these ones don’t. I usually wear a size 28 jean, but I bought these in the size 27. They’re still very comfortable and act almost like shapewear.
Looking for something other than skinny jeans? AG also makes The Farrah in a fun flare style.
If you love a deal, 6pm.com often has AG jeans on sale. Right now, they have the lightly distressed Farrah’s for $139.
I have an hourglass shape/high-ish waist and jeans with a mid or higher rise site more comfortably on my hips than lower rise that only stay up if they’re tight enough to give me muffin top. My only issue with high rise jeans, and granted it could just be the brands I’m trying are made for older customers, is that they tend to form a sort of pouch of extra fabric around the lower ab/crotch area. That said, they’re more comfortable and considering tops are longer these days, they don’t look as unflattering as they did in the 90s.
I had the same issue with some Paige high rise jeans. They had too much stretch so they got baggy there and kind of slid down, but just in the lower part of the torso, while the waist stayed high. I think I need something in between. I noticed that my AGs I’ve bought more recently aren’t as low waisted, even if they aren’t marked “high rise.” The older ones need to go to Goodwill because they are serious muffin top material.
You could have them tailored: I do.
PSA to all mid-/high-rise loving ladies, Levi’s makes a skinny commuter jean that has a ton of stretch, but great bounce-back and shaping. Best of all? It usually goes on sale for $50. It’s a bit longer than usual (we bike commuters like to roll our legs), so a hem might be a good idea.
Size up in the blue, and keep your regular size for the black, green, and olive.
They are really great quality jeans and had great added features (dirt and water repellent, reinforced crotch, deep pockets).
https://www.levi.com/US/en_US/category/women/collections/levi-collections-commuter?ab=commuter_lp_shopwomen_103015
I got a pair in black before Christmas and love them, I can actually fit my phone in my back pocket without worrying about it falling out! Bonus for reflective detail when you roll the cuff too, I’m definitely waiting for them to go on sale and come in my size for the off-beat colors.
Any recommendations on more mid-priced high-rise jeans? I experience the same problem with low-rise jeans.
Check out Lucky Brand Jeans. Their Olivia style is high-rise, although their Sofia does the trick for me. They make their jeans higher in the back because, as the store manager coyly told me, “Lucky Brand says no to crack.” They are all I wear!
Thanks for the recommendation! I used to wear Lucky Brand jeans, and maybe I’ll give them a try again. Glad to hear I’m not the only person in search of high-rise jeans.
I picked up a high waist pair from Loft recently and I am embarrassed to say that I have worn them almost every day since. They’ve washed well and held their dark color, too – something I have noticed a problem with for my Paige jeans.
J. Crew Factory has a Midrise Skinny pair that I love! I’ve found that they run true to size and are in a great dark wash.
For those looking for higher-rise plus-sized jeans, I have been very happy with NYDJ. I’m sure their smaller sizes fit well too, but I can only speak to their plus-size line.
I too, want to make the switch to high rise jeans but I am worried that they make your backside/hips look huge. low-rise tend to make my backside appear just the ride size. Anyone have thoughts for the ladies with wide hips?
look at your overall shaping. Plus this is a place where the NYDJ’s come in handy. Personally I like Boden’s wide leg jeans.
your meaning the jeans
It’s not just the jeans, but also the top you’re wearing. If the top cuts off just above the widest portion of your hips, it will make your backside and hips look slimmer.
JAG Jeans are my new favorite. Higher rise and no button (they’re pull on), which makes them crazy comfortable. You can’t wear them with tucked in tops, but it’s a small price to pay.
Interesting. I am older and low rise jeans came in a bit late for me. I have always preferred a higher rise and get mine to just below my navel-this works for me, though I do prefer a waistline ending AT my waistline-it is more comfy both standing and sitting and represses muffin top. Tommy Hilfiger jeans fit me well, but I have to have them tailored to fit perfectly- in the back to get rid of whiskering, having the crotch lowered, and hems. Cost of being well dressed-I buy less but am happier with what I have. I am short-waisted, so I wear tops out, rarely tucked in, so you cant really tell the jeans have a higher rise-however they are not at all like the really high waisted “mom” jeans of the 1990s. No need for them to look like that!