The Pros and Cons of the Rising Rise

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

The Pros and Cons of the Rising Rise

— by Angie

on January 30, 2017

The rise on a pair of trousers, jeans and shorts is the front and back length between crotch point and waistband. The fashionable trend over the last few years has been an increasing rise in trouser and jeans silhouettes. Today the high rise is completely mainstream and in the majority.

Each individual person also has their own rise measurement. Those who have a relatively short rise tend to find medium rise bottoms “high rise”, while those with long rises will find high rise bottoms shorter than expected. Add body type modifiers like waist length, waist width, and thigh shape, and finding the perfectly comfortable and flattering rise can be a tall order.

In general, the high rise has pros and cons.

Advantages

They are on trend and fashionable
They provide extra coverage and security
They provide girdling structure that prevents muffin top
They are extremely comfortable
They are a great fit on a body type with a long rise
They are visually flattering on a long-waisted, hourglass body type

Disadvantages

They can dig into the midsection on a body type with a short rise
They can be unflattering, making a short waist look shorter
They can accentuate the size of the midsection
They can feel too tight on the midsection
They can cause belly bulge
The waistband is often too high on petties, finishing right under the bust
Semi-tucked top looks better on mid and low rise bottoms

Most of my clients are enjoying the high rise trend because of its advantages. Some petites, or regular height ladies with short rises and/or very short waists, are not.

I’m regular height but have a short rise, so I sometimes find high rises too high. The waistband digs into my midsection, especially when I sit down. I also have a bit of a sway back, which means that a high waistband needs alteration to fit perfectly at the back. Mid and low rises tend to fit me a whole lot better straight off the rack, and I find them more comfortable too. But I do wear the high rise jeans and trousers as long as the waistbands are soft, and the fit does not gape at the back of the waist.

Over to you. Are you enjoying the high rise trend?

Bottoms · Fit

82 comments · Add a comment

Gail

Veteran

I am happy with the mid rise to high rise for all the reasons stated above. I cannot bear to wear any of my low rise jeans and they are headed out to my local goodwill as soon as I get a chance to purge !

January 30, 2017 at 3:27 am

merwoman

Veteran

Love this trend! I have a long rise, long waisted body type and this is a wonderful match for me. Only con is missing the semi-tuck.

January 30, 2017 at 3:58 am

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I have the same back issue as you –it never occurred to me before that was what causes the waist gap. But now that you say it, makes perfect sense.

Having a fairly short torso, I look best in lower rises — but I never again want to wear the ones that expose too much in back. I’ve been doing okay with mid rises, and a couple of high rises.

January 30, 2017 at 4:07 am

Style Fan

Veteran

Team high rise for sure. Perfect match for me.

January 30, 2017 at 4:17 am

zoiechic

Mid rise items are working well for me currently.

January 30, 2017 at 4:22 am

Sterling

I’m most comfortable with mid-rise.

January 30, 2017 at 4:26 am

cheryl

Veteran

I’m short and items with a high rise often dig into me when sitting. I am all about comfort and for me something that sits just below my belly button tends to be the most comfortable fit.

January 30, 2017 at 4:30 am

Sigrid

When I read your list of pros and cons it becomes very clear to me whe I’m som happy with the return of high waisted pants! Very clarifying and enlightening! Thanks! Mid-rise are avtually the worst, digging into the softest part and giving me muffin top; a low rise is actually better for me.

January 30, 2017 at 4:31 am

Bijou

Veteran

I am with Stirling, a mid-rise is my preference. Jeans are my leisure wear and so they have to first and foremost be comfortable – because if they are not, I just don’t reach for them. I have found the variety of fits of jeans over the last few years to be terrific, there seems to be something for everyone.

January 30, 2017 at 4:35 am

Laura

(website)

Veteran

As a short-waisted petite, you can imagine that my answer is no. Not enjoying or partaking in this trend!

January 30, 2017 at 4:47 am

Tanya

Veteran

As someone with very long waisted hourglass figure and pretty long rise, high rise is perfect for me. I find it both very flattering and very comfortable. I am enjoying that it is trending now and am wearing both slightly higher rises and dramatically high ones (70s style). They work with both untucked and fully tucked tops for me. However, since I like variety and semi-tucking,too, i have plenty of mid-rises and wear those a lot as well. I could never wear true low rises – they are very uncomfortable on me, plus my hipbones are a bit protruding and wasitbands of low rises jeans tend to fit me right over the hipbones and sometimes rub/bruise painfully. When lower rises are trending again, I will stick to mid rises. As long as there is at least 8″ in the rise I should be fine.

January 30, 2017 at 5:01 am

smittie

I’m on board. Thanks for the reminder about semi-tucking into a high rise. I have a few tshirts that have shrunk up too much for my regular-rise pants, but might work well with a higher rise.

January 30, 2017 at 5:06 am

Active Member

Love high rise.

January 30, 2017 at 5:20 am

RobinF

Veteran

Not for me! I’m a petite and mid-rise is usually best for me. I am also thick-waisted so just another reason to avoid wearing pants that hit at my waist. I really hope there will still be a variety of styles in stores so we can all find what works best.

January 30, 2017 at 5:22 am

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I’m petite and curvy. I knew that high waist or high rise looked good on me because it defined my waist. I loved it

My body during this next year will be in transition so o really don’t know what it will look like after baby.

Time for a new journey or perspective

January 30, 2017 at 5:46 am

Eliza

Veteran

I am enjoying the high rise options for all the reasons you list. I have a longer rise and a variety of top lengths seem to play well with the higher rise.

January 30, 2017 at 6:02 am

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It’s all a matter of finding the sweet spot, whatever the rise. This is a great breakdown, Angie. My own discoveries as a borderline petite/ regular height person with a long rise —

Low rises — these can be tricky if too low, unflattering since they shorten my already short leg line, and also if they sit on the hipbone I experience what Tanya mentioned about the rubbing — it is painful! However…the *right* low rise, as I learned over time, could work.

Mid-rises — most are excellent, terrific for semi-tucking (which I love to do) — and yet occasionally one may dig into tummy area when seated.

High rises — mostly good, but yes, some digging when seated, and I feel the need to tuck or wear low contrast tops particularly with crops for sake of flattery.

January 30, 2017 at 6:02 am

Diana

Veteran

I am extremely short waisted and pear shaped, and find high rises both extremely uncomfortable and extremely unflattering. I like a mid rise (or even low rise if it has sufficient coverage in back) best.

January 30, 2017 at 6:05 am

Colette

Veteran

I find it interesting that high rise is mainstream now because I haven’t seen anyone in my area wearing them. And I’m looking for them. I can’t say I travel in the trendiest circles though.

I do enjoy high rise dress pants and skirts, they just work on my figure for all the reasons you mention. I haven’t tried a true high rise jean yet, I’m a bit apprehensive as I lived through that before. But jeans are my uniform so I really should start experimenting with the ‘new’ high rise and see how I feel in them.

January 30, 2017 at 6:11 am

Runcarla

Veteran

My favourite cut at the moment is the Hanna Hight Rise at MWW. I have it in white jeans, straight jeans, baby bootcut jeans, and skinny stretch pant. The waistband sits below my belly button, about 1 inch, so I think of it as more of a mid rise. I have a long rise, though, and no waist!

January 30, 2017 at 6:12 am

Marilyn

One advantage to high rise which is a major disadvantage to mid or low rise is that the metal button and all that surrounds it is not sticking out at the most prominent part of the belly. With high rise it doesn’t show with an untucked top.

January 30, 2017 at 6:29 am

Beth Ann

Veteran

I am enjoying the return of the high rise, for the very reason you mention. However, I feel it can appear rather matronly on me, and I don’t love it with tucked or short tops. The solution? A variety of rises in my wardrobe! I find that a rise that is about two inches below my navel, and rather loose, but belted, also works. It is helpful when the waistband is a bit wider than average, since it’s more likely to lay flat, rather than roll when I sit. I’m also always on the lookout for a chic retro style: high rise, with a wide, draping leg. There is a mid rise that must be avoided at cost. This rise digs into the high curve of my hip bone, and gives me the muffin top of champions!

P.S. High rises in athletic gear are heavenly!

January 30, 2017 at 6:30 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for sharing, ladies. LOTS of love for the mid rise length. Makes sense.

Merwoman and Tanya, the high rise is dead right for your body types.

UmmLila, sounds like we need a similar fit in the rise and waist. High five.

Sigrid, some of my clients are just like you – but not many though. You’re a rare breed.

Laura, how did you cope with the high rises in the ‘80s!

Ledonna, you may be short but your rise is long, which is why a longer rise works on you.

There you go, Eliza.

Suz, it’s a balancing trick isn’t it. You do have a long rise, which makes a higher rise a good match. But not too long since you’re petite. A curved waistband can be your friend.

Diana, mid rises are dead right for you.

Oh, wow, Colette. High rises are THE thing at retail. And many on the street are wearing them in Seattle. Are you short in the waist do you think?

Beth Ann, you’re wise and have it sorted. Good job.

January 30, 2017 at 6:35 am

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I haven’t bought any high rise jeans because I haven’t found a pair that doesn’t dig into me when I sit down in them. I like the look, I just need the right pair.

January 30, 2017 at 6:39 am

MTBGirl

Veteran

I have a long torso and a long rise. (One of the first things I learned on YLF! ) Most mid-rise jeans are not comfortable for me – I have just one pair (Gap) that I can wear. I’d like to figure out what makes that pair wearable and know what to look for… a jeans refresh will hopefully happen later this year.

January 30, 2017 at 6:40 am

Joyce B

Veteran

High and mid rises work nicely for me. The best part about high rise is no back exposure when you sit.

January 30, 2017 at 6:45 am

Lisa

Veteran

I own one pair of high rise jeans and I am on the fence with them. I enjoy that they sort of act like a pair of spanx, having fabric higher up helps to suck in the bulge. But I notice that I often have to adjust the waist when I sit, so it is comfortable. It’s a fast adjustment, but one I do often when I’m wearing my higher rise jeans.

January 30, 2017 at 6:46 am

Colette

Veteran

Angie, I’ve always thought I was average proportions, but I’ve never measured. I just did a quick search and found your post about determining waist proportions. Using this method, I am average waisted.

https://youlookfab.com/2009/06/29/how-to-tell-if-you-are-short-or-long-waisted/

January 30, 2017 at 6:51 am

jacquez

Active Member

I am short, and shortwaisted, but have a bubble butt and a major hourglass shape, so for me rises are all about finding something that doesn’t come up too high in front, but covers my rear.

Mid-rises are generally the way to go, for me, and I strongly prefer things with a little bit of stretch and a contour to them. High rises quickly get up into my bra band. :/

January 30, 2017 at 7:01 am

JAileen

Veteran

I think I have a high rise. When pants went low rise, I really hated them. Now I’m used to them. But the biggest factor for me was finding curvy fit pants. The gape at the back is the worst thing ever.

January 30, 2017 at 7:03 am

Joy

Veteran

Finding a good fit is a challenge for me. Most of my jeans are in the low rise range yet. They are not ideal as they can cause muffin top and my back gets cold, but they also do not bag in the seat and I can usually avoid the sway back problem. I want some higher rise that will reign in the muffin top but not gape, bag or dig in. The Kut Catherine boyfriends feel just right if I wear a belt and long top with them. They are a bit baggy in the hips but not too bad.

January 30, 2017 at 7:30 am

kate

Active Member

So glad to see more high rise fits available. Love the Madewell 10″ high rise jeans.

January 30, 2017 at 7:36 am

MsMary

Veteran

Team Mid Rise here. I’m short and short waisted and I love to semi-tuck!

January 30, 2017 at 7:38 am

jlpp

Although I am 5’4″ curvy and short waisted, I prefer high rise.

January 30, 2017 at 7:39 am

Janet

(website)

Veteran

High rises are very problematic on me. I’m short-waisted and bottom-heavy, so fit and flattery are not good in high rises for the most part. I have one pair of slightly highe rise black flares that I cannot wear with anything tucked — I look terribly disproportionate that way. I do best in mid rises that come up to a point just shy of my navel.

January 30, 2017 at 7:42 am

Phoebe

Veteran

TGFMidrise!!!!
I do hope that this trend is staying here for a long, long time. Low rises are so uncomfortable!!

January 30, 2017 at 7:48 am

cindysmith

Veteran

While I don’t mind looking at a high rise on others, I rarely wear it on my own body. There is a lot of physical and emotional discomfort involved with high-rise pants for me. They hit at an awkward spot on me, and tend to either dig in or just add a bulk of fabric where I least want one.

My lifestyle is generally fairly physical, and I hate to feel constricted. Anything too tight or too loose tends to feel constricting against my body, or it gets in the way of my movements.

A low-rise waist, on the other hand, leaves me feeling constantly fidgety. As I move around, I feel exposed skin on my back and butt. Even sitting still in a low rise makes me have a plumber’s crack. So low rise is definitely out.

I have one pair of high-rise, wide-leg pants that I love to wear for lounging or the occasional long car trip. Beyond that, I tend to be most physically comfortable in a mid rise, just below my navel.

But all you ladies who DO like a high-rise pants, please keep wearing them. I do like the look on other ladies, just not on myself.

January 30, 2017 at 7:52 am

rachylou

Veteran

I love the high rise trend. I hate drafts, lol. Sadly, tho, I’ve only got one pair of high rise faux jeans. Tough to find, tough to fit.

January 30, 2017 at 7:59 am

LadyLilac

Active Member

I tend not to prefer a high-rise in my pants, even though I’m relatively tall (5’9) and long-waisted. I’m definitely pear-shaped, and most high-rise fits are not flattering on me.

January 30, 2017 at 8:15 am

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I think my ideal rise is about 8-8.25″ with a contoured waistband so the back isn’t too short. I have difficulty with higher rises because they crowd my bust and they tend to create an unflattering fold at the crotch. The issues of fit/comfort seem so great that I make little effort to conform to trends regarding rise.

January 30, 2017 at 8:35 am

Mary

I prefer a higher rise even though I’m short waisted.

I’ll never forget shoe shopping one day. A very attractive woman was dressed in a cute, stylish outfit. Her hair, accessories, etc. were perfect. She literally could have just walked off a magazine shoot.

Until she bent over to pull some shoes off a lower shelf. Remember Angie’s “butt cleavage April Fool’s” post? Yup.

January 30, 2017 at 8:51 am

IreneSN

Active Member

Definitely team mid-rise. I’m short waisted, have a sway back plus a bit of junk in the trunk, so I often have problems with regular fit trousers and have to take them in at the back. Hate when this happens with jeans. So I need lots of stretch in my trouser and jeans fabrics for a decent fit. Low-ish to mid rises are often a really good fit for me as they don’t hit the waist. But I’m now way too old for low rises!

January 30, 2017 at 9:01 am

Joanna

(website)

Active Member

Thanks to your blog, I’ve learned that I am not short waisted so much as have a short rise! I do have a short torso though, either way, so high rise can be tricky. It can work since I’m basically as hourglass with broad shoulders, but I have to be careful. I can see how this style would not work for the pear shaped, though.

January 30, 2017 at 9:33 am

Aziraphale

Veteran

I AM enjoying the higher rise trend, but cautiously, because of all the cons you listed. Those were the reasons for my initial distress when the high-rise trend started coming back (do you remember how cross I was?) ;-). I am petite, so a high rise waistband often ends right under my bust; I semi-tuck all the time, which works way better with mid and low rises; high rise pants often dig into my belly, and I have a sway back too. Oh, and I can’t do a full tuck with high-rise pants, which is what you’re supposed to do, because it mades my torso look ridiculously short. So many reasons why they aren’t ideal.

It turn out, however, that high rise skirts, and *some* high rise pants, work quite well with either a fitted top or a loose, drapey, boxy top that is sufficiently short. The tops always have to overlap the top of the skirt or pants a little, which kind of defeats the purpose of the high rise, but that’s OK. They do look more current than low rises.

One bonus of a higher rise? NO SLIDE DOWN. The pants and/or skirt stay put! I’ve been fighting with pants sliding down all my life, so this is a major advantage for me.

January 30, 2017 at 9:34 am

LaPed

Veteran

I like a rise between 9 and 10 inches — I’m 5’4″. Lower than 9″ tends to sit right on my hip bones, and sag too low during the day. If a pair of pants fits absolutely perfectly and isn’t too stretchy, then I can do 8.5″. I spend a lot of time sitting on floors, leaning over, picking up kids, etc, so extra back coverage is essential.

I’m pretty sure the ascendancy of long tunic-y tops was a direct response to the prevalence of ill-fitting low rise pants…

January 30, 2017 at 9:37 am

Dana

(website)

Veteran

I’m team mid-rise/low rise when it comes to jeans; however, I have recently bought some high rise, tuxedo striped pants that I’m loving. With my short waist, I shouldn’t love them, but they feel so feminine. To keep from completely chopping off my torso, I’ve actually been able to do a partial tuck with a silk blouse. It looks very modern!

January 30, 2017 at 9:42 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great to hear your preferences, ladies. Go Team Mid Rise.

Chewy, have you tried a fabrication with a larger stretch content?

Donna, do you prefer high rise?

Lisa, YES. Because you’re petite probably, and therefore shorter in the rise.

Colette, then you should be fine in high rise bottoms. What is the fit challenge?

JAileen, do you really need curvy fit bottoms?

jlpp, and why do you think that is?

Janet and Cynthia, mid rises are dead right on you.

LadyLilac, do you feel that a high rise makes you look bottom heavy?

Emily K, you’ve got it sorted.

Dana, I would love to see a pic that outfit.

Joanna, it’s a pleasure – and YES. A short rise is a not the same as a short waist.

Aziraphale, never say never!

January 30, 2017 at 10:02 am

Christina

Active Member

Definitely team mid-rise!
As an hourglass petite my major fit struggle is finding a jean that neither gaps in the back nor digs in unflattering in the front. While low rise jeans usually don’t offer enough coverage in the back, high rise jeans tend either to feel constricting on my tummy or to gap in the back as said before.

For now I’m sticking with mid rise jeans as my go to, but I’m defenitely eyeballing with trying on some more of the high rise offers. Just thinking my chance to find a pair which works for me certainly is greater while they are on trend.

January 30, 2017 at 10:11 am

jlpp

I think I like the extra support and also I think having a rounded abdomen and somewhat full hip cause higher rises to feel better to me, easier to fit. I just use short box or fitted tops and it seems to work out pretty flatteringly (I think, lol).

January 30, 2017 at 10:13 am

jlpp

-boxy

January 30, 2017 at 10:13 am

JAileen

Veteran

Angie, I need curvy fit because otherwise the waist is too big.

January 30, 2017 at 10:32 am

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Angie, can you imagine, I had to tailor my waistbands in the 80s to make them lower (actually, the early 90s were the worst). It was not an ideal denim era for me

January 30, 2017 at 10:52 am

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

as a menopausal petite woman, I actually prefer higher waistbands, but of course I like variety in tops so it’s just one type that I will continue to embrace…

January 30, 2017 at 10:56 am

paula

(website)

Active Member

For this long-waisted, curvy gal, high-rise jeans are the only way I can wear a crop top without showing belly. I also just figured out why jeans that are labeled high-rise don’t really seem high to me. Angie, I can relate to the sway back problem. I have to take in the waist of nearly all my jeans–especially, the lower rises, because otherwise, they feel like they will fall off or at the least, gap out in the back.

January 30, 2017 at 11:07 am

tulle

Veteran

It really depends on the brand and cut, I find. I’m petite, so many high rises (many over 11″) are way too high for me. Also, my waistline has expanded over the years, so the nipped-waist look no longer works. In general, a mid-rise of 9″–9.5″ tends to be a comfortable high-rise for me, but I have some Zara high-waists with a soft waistband and side zip that are great. I really appreciate, as I buy most often online, when rises are listed along with other size data.

January 30, 2017 at 11:17 am

Robin

Active Member

I’ve always gravitated toward high rise. My body type is the poster child for apple body types so it’s always felt more secure to have pants rest at or above my belly button. I’m not as keen on it anymore. The waistband of jeans regularly folds down on itself after I’ve been sitting for a while and I have to do a whole lot of outfit rearranging. I’d almost rather wear a low- to- mid-rise and just not worry about what people think of my stomach protruding a little. Since high rise is on trend though, I’ll probably mostly stick with that.

January 30, 2017 at 11:29 am

DonnaF

Veteran

I am all torso and no legs with an extremely long back waist length. I didn’t buy jeans during the entire era of low waist pants because they make me look like I am all hips, thighs and torso, plus they slid down. I either have a short or regular rise (for a Petite); mid-rise and high-rise jeans/pants almost never dig in on me. Higher rise jeans like NYDJ feel the most secure since they are the most likely to stay put. Proportionally, higher rises in jeans, pants, and skirts are my friend.

I once bought mid-rise pull-on jeans with the wide band at the top. Kinda loose at the waist so I added thread loops to hold a wide belt. Still a bit of a problem. So I had the waist taken in. Big mistake. Now I have to wiggle and jiggle to get the darn thing over my hips the way I’d see my mom put on a girdle back in the day.

January 30, 2017 at 11:38 am

SusanM

I wouldn’t say I have a sway back, but I’m small at the high waist point relative to my hips. I’ve seen stats that show there is more variation in size from hip to high waist in women’s bodies than from hip to low waist. So more women will have this fit problem with higher waisted pants, in addition to the rise problem Angie described. But the problem of a too-big waist can usually be solved with tailoring. And I do like the look of a high waist for a change.

January 30, 2017 at 11:39 am

susanm

Active Member

January 30, 2017 at 11:40 am

I’m petite, and have not purchased any high-rise pants for the exact same reasons you outlined.

January 30, 2017 at 11:51 am

Ginkgo

Veteran

I’m tall and long-waisted and very happy that high rise pants are back. Have already purged the low rise pants in my closet.

January 30, 2017 at 12:08 pm

SarahF

I’m petite (a bit over 5’2″) and short-waisted. Most high rise styles hit me too high, but not always. If I tuck a top into a pair of high-rise bottoms, it usually makes me look out of proportion, unless the top and bottom colors are the same or low contrast. Low-rise bottoms make me feel too exposed, and I don’t care for the way they look on me, so I rarely if ever wear them. A medium rise is usually what works best for me.

January 30, 2017 at 12:22 pm

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I am on the tall side but am slightly short waisted and have a bit of a swayback. High rises are usually too high for me and I end up looking like I am all legs. Low rises look best but I prefer a medium rise for comfort.

January 30, 2017 at 1:12 pm

minimalist

Veteran

My sugar eye for white denim leads me into silhouettes I otherwise wouldn’t try, so I’m wearing high waists even though I prefer lower rise pants for comfort.

January 30, 2017 at 1:16 pm

MTBGirl

Veteran

Angie I think I do. I feel like I need to pull mid/low rises up but there isn’t enough fabric to do so.

January 30, 2017 at 1:19 pm

Sal

Veteran

I am open to all rises but tend to find mid rise the easiest as long as I wear a belt:)

I do like high rise with tops with unusual hemlines ie asymmetric, folds, splits etc as it gives a smoother line.

I only occasionally tuck or semi tuck…so often the top of my jeans is not seen.

January 30, 2017 at 1:52 pm

Scarlet

Veteran

I am so sad about the lack of low rise availability now. I feel it was just so much more flattering on my figure.

January 30, 2017 at 2:39 pm

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

With my short torso and short rise, I prefer to stick with low to mid rise. Happy to leave high rise jeans and pants to those with longer torsos.

January 30, 2017 at 3:06 pm

Mainelady

Veteran

Mid rises work well for me. Low rises do not. They are not flattering, nor are they comfortable. I have 2 pairs of high rises that are comfortable and I will be on the lookout for more. My waist looks smaller and my booty looks pretty darn good, too.

January 30, 2017 at 3:12 pm

Darleen

I am very glad that the extremely low rise jeans/pants are totally out of style, they were far too reveling for most people to wear. That being said, I am very long waisted, and my waist has gotten even lower with age, so the waist rise jeans are all very much too high on me, they ride at my waist, but the crotch hangs 4 inches or more lower than desired. Even some mid rises are really too long in the front rise measurement. And because of my waist to hip ratio, I find I more often have to buy women’s sizes, which makes the rise even longer, even in petite styles. So with the return to waist rise pants, it has limited my brand choice to only a few that I can even hope to get a pair of pants to fit. I hope the jeans I have currently have will last for a long time, because finding and buying additional ones to fit may not be possible,

January 30, 2017 at 3:19 pm

Tisa

Active Member

In my experience finding well fitting high rise trousers is a myth, because stores simply don’t sell the kind that would fit my body type.

I have wide hips (35.5’/90cm), slim waist (25’/64cm) and straight belly. Which means most trousers are either too small at the hip, too wide at the waist, or there’s excess fabric at the front (meant for a slight belly).
In theory high rise trousers sound perfect for me, though, because I have a long torso and could benefit from visually longer legs.

Perhaps some of you know where I could get a pair that fits my measurements?

January 30, 2017 at 3:29 pm

jacquez

Active Member

Tisa, I’d say to look for curvy fits if you aren’t already. Normally I feel like curvy fits are cut for people with more than a 10″ waist/hip differential, but one other thing I’ve noticed about them — they are cut much more on the assumption that the differential comes from bone structure and not from flesh, so they’re flatter across the front.

January 30, 2017 at 6:01 pm

Aquamarine

Veteran

I love mid-rise but do OK with high-rise too, even though I am short-waisted. I just can’t stand low-rise, so I am thrilled with options going in the other direction!

January 30, 2017 at 6:10 pm

Bonnie

Veteran

I think I’m short waisted and have a high rise. Two years ago I found jeans I liked at TB and bought four pair and have been really happy with them. The crop flares I got this summer fit well, too. I really didn’t think about the rise when I shopped but think they must all be mid rise. Not all of my pants are a success, the chinos from J Crew and Gap are uncomfortable for sitting. Maybe that’s because the jeans all have a bit of stretch and the chinos don’t.

January 30, 2017 at 6:29 pm

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am short with pretty average proportions and find mid-rise works as high rise for me. Low rises are the easiest fit for me, but I love the look of a mid/high rise and keep trying!

January 30, 2017 at 7:11 pm

Barbara Diane

Veteran

It was a revelation when I realized that I had a short rise and that mid rises worked best on me.

January 30, 2017 at 9:09 pm

Kate

Veteran

Love high rises. They work well for my long waisted, long rise figure. Mid-rises do okay; low rise pants are a non-starter. If I left the house wearing a pair of jeans with a 7 to 7.5 inch rise, I’d be arrested for indecent exposure.

January 31, 2017 at 12:48 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lots of interesting comments here, ladies. Generally, mid rises are most popular it seems.

Donna, milk the trend while you can.

Laura, you kept alterations going in the ’80s!

January 31, 2017 at 4:50 am

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Your list of cons sheds some light on my problems with high-rise pants. I like the look and idea of them–mostly on other people, though. I think a big drawback for me with them is that they accentuate my short-waistedness, and I hadn’t thought about that. Also, my waist is not that defined, so pants that fit my hips are too small in the waist, if the waistline is actually at my waist. I benefited greatly from the low- and mid-rise trends, which enabled me to wear pants off the rack quite easily.

January 31, 2017 at 9:59 am

Greyscale

Veteran

I have a long torso, a slight hourglass shape, and a long rise — so they should be perfect, and they do generally fit well. But I avoid most high waisted pants for a few reasons:
1. The pressure on my abdomen is uncomfortable for medical reasons.
2. I prefer more masculine pants silhouettes — high rise pants read as more feminine to me (great look, just not for me). That perception can change as trends move in and out of the mainstream though.

Because a higher waist is a better look on me, with my short legs and long torso, I’m trying to get more mid-rise jeans. And high-waisted skirts work well for me (I’m going to wear a skirt at all, which I often do, it is obviously going to be a feminine look to begin with).

January 31, 2017 at 11:41 am

lisap

I am behind the times with regards to high rise jeans . They have been on my radar of course , but I haven’t been tempted to try anything on yet . I’m not in the kind of shape necessary to wear them . Mid rise is fine for me . I feel too that the true high rise is for a very different age / body type than mine . It can do weird things to your back view too .

January 31, 2017 at 5:44 pm

Kirstjen

Veteran

For me, high rise is awful. I cannot stress this enough. It is physically painful & due to a digestive problem, I literally cannot eat without distress in a high waist pair of pants. If I wear something that hits at my normal waist, I’m pushing the waistband down in order to eat.

Also, since I have virtually no hips, high waisted pants require an awful lot of tailoring to get them to look right.

I don’t want a super low rise but I definitely prefer something that sits low.

February 1, 2017 at 7:24 am

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