The discussion that followed my post about the rise length dilemma reinforced my preferences. Over the years, I’ve worn all rise lengths with a degree of happiness. I am generally quick to adopt new trends that evolve in bottoms, so when the rise lengths and silhouettes change, I tend to change with them. 

Right now I love wearing higher rises across dressy and casual bottoms in cropped and full lengths. Not just because they’re on trend but because they feel and look dead right for my style, body type, and footwear preferences. To my eye, the higher rise adheres to my personal figure flattering priorities and is the easiest to style.

For context, I am neither short nor long waisted. I am short in the rise relative to my height. That means that a 10 to 11.5 inch front rise is high rise on me, and that’s my favourite. This positions the waistband just above my belly button and the smallest part of my waist, which feels very comfortable. Since I’m a frequent tucker and semi-tucker of tops, and a keen belt wearer, I like how the higher rise elongates the leg line from the hips upward. The effect is subtle, yet it makes a meaningful difference to me. The elongation is great because I wear flat footwear. When I tuck a top and wear a belt with a lower rise, my leg line is shorter, which I could offset by wearing heels. But I don’t wear heels or platformed footwear so lower rises are harder to style. Furthermore, I find that wearing a belt with a lower rise is uncomfortable on my hip bones. I can just manage a 9 inch rise with a belt, but not daily. Belts worn with a higher rise bypass my hips and feel soothing. I like the “locked and loaded” coverage across my abdomen too.

I’ve found that a higher rise is especially easy and comfy to wear when the thigh fits of bottoms are relaxed or wide. The fluid or voluminous fit on the hip and thigh area adds figure flattery and comfort, and I adore the visual effect with flats. I wear bottoms that are form fitting on the thighs, but it’s not my favourite.

Rise length preferences vary a lot from person to person. And we become more sensitive to how clothing fits as we age. I’m hoping that we continue to get a good mix of rise lengths and pant silhouettes at retail so that we can all feel and look our best.