https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 08 Apr 2026 03:02:19 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/3#post-2192770 Wed, 05 May 2021 23:33:30 +0000 anne 2192770@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I might well do. One of the difficulties with high rise though is that there are so many points of contact to get the fit right. The other, related point, is that my waist measurement changes all the time. All the best FI, you are in my thoughts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/3#post-2192498 Wed, 05 May 2021 09:48:44 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2192498@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ophelia, Polamalu is an inspiration in a lot of ways! </p> <p>Suz &amp; Anne, thanks for chiming in! You both post a lot of pictures, so knowing you’re in this club I’ve never heard of helps me figure out the guidelines better. </p> <p>I’m not short waisted and I have long-ish legs; with those segments being long, I guess there’s no room for the middle one to be long too. It’s just the age-related thing Ophelia mentioned. </p> <p>Anne, fwiw, I think you should get the 13” since this is a way it’s hard to find what your body needs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/3#post-2192486 Wed, 05 May 2021 06:17:15 +0000 anne 2192486@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another one here too, except I have a long rise AND a long waist and of course the corollary, very short legs! </p> <p>Have been wondering about buying an ultra high waist pair of jeans to get the 13 inches I need, for a true high waist. But a bit concerned they'll go out of fashion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/3#post-2192371 Tue, 04 May 2021 20:23:30 +0000 Suz 2192371@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A member of the long-bottom club signing in! Short waist, long rise -- that's what does it!&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2192357 Tue, 04 May 2021 19:52:05 +0000 ophelia 2192357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And this. Hair inspo too. </p> <p><a href="https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2015/04/usatsi_8113212.jpg?w=1000&#038;h=600&#038;crop=1" rel="nofollow">https://steelerswire.usatoday......038;crop=1</a></p> <p>Sorry...I have *totally* digressed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2192355 Tue, 04 May 2021 19:51:25 +0000 rachylou 2192355@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m short-waisted but have relative long legs and do like high-waisted jeans. I don’t tuck and guess I don’t really show the waist proper. I wear welted sweaters a lot with them I think, to fudge it so it doesn’t look like the waist is around my neck... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2192350 Tue, 04 May 2021 19:44:17 +0000 ophelia 2192350@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh but FashIntern I have those too. I thought they came w/ the territory. They’re not very noticeable now that I have less estrogen escorting everything I eat to the region. But I notice them in leggings &amp; such.<br /> I agree low rear isn’t the same as age-related southward movement. I think that happens to lots of women w/ age but (ha) can be reversed w/ training. I lifted mine that way &amp; your trainer has probably had many such requests.<br /> Here is my inspo pic:)))</p> <p> <a href="https://www.si.com/.image/t_share/MTY4MTg5NDQyNjUxMDA2ODQ5/image-placeholder-title.jpg" rel="nofollow">https://www.si.com/.image/t_sh.....-title.jpg</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2192348 Tue, 04 May 2021 19:42:15 +0000 viva 2192348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all again for commiserating, chiming in, and suggesting.</p> <p><b>Suz</b> and <b>Jenava</b>: Yes, JCrew can really be a great option for me. I just wanted something a little different (because so much of my wardrobe is JC) but I know that I can fall back on JCrew if I need to.</p> <p><b>Angie</b>: Thanks for the G-Star Kate recommendation. It's next to try if the Emersons don't work.</p> <p>Ah, <b>MsMaven</b>: So true. The post-Covid post-menopausal belly adds a layer of complexity (pardon the pun) to the question of pants fitting. My body is so so very different from even 5 years ago. It's just unavoidable to some extent.</p> <p><b>Sal</b>, I can't do low rise at all; I'm with you there! And I really hope we've hit peak high-rise!!!</p> <p><b>Greyscale</b>: Men's straights that rest on my hips are sort of a dream jean for me - reminds me of my post-college years when I wore my boyfriend's Levis. But now, no real hips to speak of. So I need a mid-rise that will grab hold, IYKWIM.</p> <p><b>Chris</b>, Thanks for the Old Navy links. I'm not buying skinnies now (that's a whole other conversation) but those straights may be worth trying. Thank you!</p> <p><b>Gryffin</b>, So glad you love the Emersons so much! I will make note of your preferred wash for future denim hunts.</p> <p><b>RobinF</b>: It sounds like you and I are very similar shapes (although I am not petite). I'm going to watch your posts closely. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2192347 Tue, 04 May 2021 19:39:58 +0000 LaPed 2192347@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m another member of Team High Rise. I was a teen in the early 00s so I hardly encountered a high rise until a few years ago, outside of a few thrifted one-offs. I couldn’t even understand or articulate why most pants fit me so terribly until rises started getting higher. It’s nice being able to Buy All The Pants for once. 9” is hip-slung on me; any lower and they’re basically falling off. I need 12” to get anywhere near my navel and my natural waist is a little higher still. I’m not a tall person, just a very short-torso’d one I guess. </p> <p>It would be nice if retailers kept a range of rises on offer at all times, since it’s something that can’t be altered the way inseam or waist can. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2192345 Tue, 04 May 2021 19:27:28 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2192345@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jonesy and Ophelia, thanks for the explanations—and pictures! I see what you mean about “Joan’s” waist being right below her brastrap in back. She looks good, but I guess I see what you mean if there isn’t enough roundness there, so then it would just be long and look saggy even if it isn’t, I guess? </p> <p>My trainer and I have been talking about goals. Most of them I can quantify, but I didn’t know how to explain to him about wanting a rounder, higher butt, so tonight I wore pants that looked great on me in the late 90s, but now have extra fabric in back, just below the waistband. I showed him that &amp; told him I want to fill it up again. He didn’t laugh at me. Good man! But I guess that just means that I have a dropped butt, not a long one.</p> <p>Ophelia, you said you have a low slung butt, but this isn’t the same as “saddlebags” (which I happen to think are attractive, but I know many women who have them disagree). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2192343 Tue, 04 May 2021 19:24:28 +0000 ophelia 2192343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jonesy that’s it. I’m slightly relieved. :)<br /> I’m a smaller shorter version but same effect. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2192339 Tue, 04 May 2021 19:15:36 +0000 Jonesy 2192339@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been re-watching Mad Men lately, and Joan (played by Christina Hendricks) is a great example of a "long bottom," which is accentuated by how she is costumed. See the lower left pic: She is very short-waisted (from behind, the distance between the bottom edge of her bra band and her waist is about 1 inch), and has a very long rise relative to her waisted-ness, resulting in a "long bottom." The distance from her nape to her waist, and then her waist to the bottom of her rear, are about the same. Imagine her in high-waisted jeans that come up to her natural waist, and you can see how that could result in the sense of a "long bottom." I can relate to this, because I have similar proportions--without the curves :). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2192324 Tue, 04 May 2021 18:41:51 +0000 cat2 2192324@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am on team High Rise, being gleeful yesterday that my pants have a waistband at my waist, and that I could put a belt at my waist, instead of at some random location on my lower torso. Long waisted pear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2192322 Tue, 04 May 2021 18:39:57 +0000 ophelia 2192322@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suntiger I used to have a bubble butt &amp; still had long bum. I think it’s to do w/ the relative position of my waist &amp; hips. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2192320 Tue, 04 May 2021 18:37:06 +0000 Anonymous 2192320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think my bum is too round to look long, but I never tuck- so I don't think about the look of the rise! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2192317 Tue, 04 May 2021 18:33:54 +0000 ophelia 2192317@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FashIntern I freely confess to being the forum complainer about high rises causing longbutt. It doesn’t happen w/ most people who wear high rises.<br /> I’ll try to explain. I’m a little under 5’2, very small boned &amp; thin *except* for my rear &amp; breasts. So I have a largish rear/hips on a small bod, but what really creates longbutt on me is that I have a small upper body, a small, high waist, &amp; thin legs with a “low slung” rear. (Petite pants are sometimes too short in the crotch while being right in length.) Wearing pants at my waist creates a long distance to the bottom of my rear &amp; hips. I can’t stand that look &amp; can avoid it completely by wearing mid or better, low rise.<br /> I hope that made some sort of sense. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2192248 Tue, 04 May 2021 11:10:37 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2192248@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have no idea what a “long” bottom is. Does anyone want to explain it to me?<br /> I used to have a bubble butt, but it has fallen; the biggest point around is lower than it used to be. Is that “long”? The top part is completely pancaked. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2192247 Tue, 04 May 2021 11:07:39 +0000 Zaeobi 2192247@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Same as @ST lol - anything lower than a 'high' mid rise can look indecent on me! This past year has been the first time in many years that I've bought trousers in general (including jeans), since they finally fit well (even being petite, I need a minimum 10-11" rise). </p> <p>I remember Trinny from Undress The Nation (as well as someone else in this thread) mentioning that the 'long bum' look was undesirable, but I think it's becoming more acceptable as rises rise. On the flipside, maybe people will complain of 'short bum' in the future with mid &amp; low rises, who knows </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2192140 Mon, 03 May 2021 22:06:07 +0000 Anonymous 2192140@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I prefer a high rise- cause then the back is high enough to cover my ample bum! 10 is good in front, but need 14 for the back rise </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2191968 Mon, 03 May 2021 13:18:33 +0000 RobinF 2191968@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>YES! And if you want any kind of jean that is at all trendy they are all high rise, at least the ones I have seen. I have a waist that is probably about 2 sizes larger than my hips so always size up. Mid-rise skinnies work great for me because they are more like at-the-waist slim legs on me. And in spite of being petite, non-petite pants work best for me because the hips hit at my waist but of course then I have to hem them and some just aren't good for hemming.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2191948 Mon, 03 May 2021 12:00:33 +0000 gryffin 2191948@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Viva - Sorry late to your party and I think you are sorted.&nbsp; I have a very similar body type and issues.&nbsp; A 9.5" rise is my sweet spot.&nbsp; Depending on style they can appear high rise or mid rise with the same rise.&nbsp; If you want the high rise look check out Madewell and look at the 9" rises.&nbsp; Most have a fair amount of stretch.&nbsp; I like to wear my skinnes skimming so I am usually a 27"/4 but size up to a 28"&nbsp; I find the 10" rises too high.&nbsp; I love, love, love the COH emerson, I have a number of washes.&nbsp; My favorite is the blue ridge wash, there is something so much cooler about this pair of jeans than any other - you need to size down unless you like them huge (yeah, I own both for different looks).&nbsp; They also have more stretch so you could sleep in them if you had to.&nbsp; Paige does have the transcend which has a 9.5" rise.&nbsp; These run smaller than Madewell so I definitely size up.&nbsp; Check the rises because they vary by cut and by jeans to make sure they work.&nbsp; Those cover my favorite jeans.&nbsp; Agree with Ummlila that the Nili Lotan, I have the french military pants have a good midrise if you want a non jean.&nbsp; Also Vince still makes some midrises but harder fo find.&nbsp; Enjoy your COH, try the blue ridge wash if you are able it's truly special!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2191881 Mon, 03 May 2021 00:25:31 +0000 Chris987 2191881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Late to this but have to chime in! As a petite 5'1" curvy short-waisted pear, with "muscular" thighs (hah, not really so much muscle) I feel <br />the tyranny with you all!&nbsp; A rise of 10" or more&nbsp;on me is extremely uncomfortable with the waistband hitting my lower ribs/bottom of my bra, <br />and unpleasant to look at with that crotch-pleat thing especially when <br />sitting down. A rise of 8 1/2 - 9 1/2" works, and not much else. When I was shopping for new jeans a year ago after losing weight, I rejected a couple of dozen possibilities because either they didn't give the&nbsp;rise measurements online or were high rise. Old Navy was in the reject pile - no rise measurements. However, I was in&nbsp;a store and decided to try on the <b><i><u></u><u></u></i>pop icon skinny<i></i></b> and it fit very well without being skin tight. The front rise is just right but&nbsp;the back is a smidge&nbsp;long (a common&nbsp; thing for me) but at some&nbsp;point I just live with it. I bought it in three different washes. They are a little too long but I like the look of folding them up and could hem them if I wanted to. I also got one pair of the ON <u><b></b></u><b>Power Slim Straight</b><u><b></b> </u>with a similar rise and just slightly&nbsp;wider leg. I've also found a Macys<b> Style&amp; Co curvy fit </b><b>skinny</b><b>&nbsp;fit </b>&nbsp;that worked well, also not skin-tight, although the fabric and quality leave a bit to be desired. I'd been looking for mid-grey jeans for so long that I decided&nbsp;these were good enough. NYDJ works occasionally but mostly has too high a rise even in petite sizes. </p> <p>the other issue I have is that so many jeans these days have inseams that are too short for what I want&nbsp; (under 27").<br />&nbsp;<br /><i><u>I'm not sure any of the ones I've found qualify as "not boring" lol. </u></i></p> <p>Thanks Viva for starting this thread, and loving the great recommendations from everyone! I want to look for at least one pair of higher quality jeans and will use ideas here as inspo. I did look last year at&nbsp; COH jeans but they all had too short an inseam.&nbsp; &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2191847 Sun, 02 May 2021 21:08:19 +0000 Anonymous 2191847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hope the Emerson’s work for you!<br /> I have a similar issue - 30 inch waist and 36 inch hips. I’ve had good luck with Joe’s Jean’s midrise styles. The Lara is the name of the cigarette leg. Also, I’ve found that the cropped version of the “skinny” Icon fits more like a cigarette.<br /> eBay and Thredup are awash with midrise styles right now - many new- with-tags and returnable - at nice price points. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2191838 Sun, 02 May 2021 19:07:46 +0000 suzieq 2191838@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree about providing the rise in inches. That said, I’m enjoying all the misses sized pants that I bought &amp; paid to have hemmed. Although I’m petite, I have a short waist &amp; a long rise, so petite sized pants don’t always fit. It depends on the brand. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2191813 Sun, 02 May 2021 17:04:50 +0000 Greyscale 2191813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>High rise is a good look on me (long torso, somewhat hourglass) but I can’t stand pressure on my abdomen. Very uncomfortable when combined with my mild digestive problems. That really affects what I wear. So my jeans collection is a mix of loose high rise pairs, men’s straight jeans that rest on my hips, and low rise skinnies. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2191812 Sun, 02 May 2021 16:12:44 +0000 BrieN 2191812@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>nodding my head to Viva and all others for whom the high rise trend is problematic. Can I also add a rant about retailers who simply state “mid-rise” or “high-rise” instead of providing the rise in inches? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2191696 Sun, 02 May 2021 01:19:30 +0000 Jaime 2191696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Count me with all the fans of lower rise boyfriend jeans. I will definitely check out the G-Star version. The jeans in my closet range 4 sizes - the higher the waist the bigger the size, but then they are often too big through the hip and leg. Mid rise is almost high rise on me anyway. Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2191676 Sun, 02 May 2021 00:22:15 +0000 Dianna 2191676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am no help, since all I have right now are high rise jeans. I have a long rise and a long waist, wide hips, round butt and muscular thighs, so I need a rise that is at least 10.75 in. and they look kind of mid rise on me. I struggle with mid rises and I have never been able to wear low rises. Just trying them on made me feel uncomfortable and not covered enough. I think your jeans with the raw hem would work, and I like the G-star ones that Angie posted for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2191448 Sat, 01 May 2021 02:00:36 +0000 Sal 2191448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good luck with the jeans!</p> <p>I think we are at peak high rise and we are on the way down again... so there is hope:)</p> <p>I quite like a high rise but mid is also good.&nbsp; Low rise is a battle for me!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-tyranny-of-the-high-rise/page/2#post-2191445 Sat, 01 May 2021 01:32:30 +0000 smittie 2191445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mid and low rises look good, IMO!<br /> Zara always has something fun. </p>