https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:46:25 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be/page/2#post-1155883 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 18:50:34 +0000 Sheila 1155883@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I prefer low rise pants as well. <br />When my two teens left the house I found I had inherited a pile of pants that were low risers and Extremely low risers. <br />At first I was hesitant to wear them but I realize now that they are exactly what I needed.<br />&nbsp;With larger breasts that tend to "hang" from breast feeding for umpteen years AND being short waisted.. I had no space between. With the low risers... especially REALLY low ( which incidentally I have to watch as I am not sure whether it is age appropriate or not ) at LAST ! Space ! I look like I have a waist - a silhouette and not all legs and boobs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be/page/2#post-1155876 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 18:39:18 +0000 Anonymous 1155876@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like a skirt on my natural waist and my jeans about 2" below my navel. I think I have quite a high waist and my hip bones are very high up near my ribs, so not much room between. I have to have quite a high rise jean as lower rise ones have no hip bones to 'hang' off and coupled with a flat butt, they keep falling down! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be/page/2#post-1155868 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 18:31:39 +0000 catgirl 1155868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to be able to wear my pants hanging off my hips and loved that best of all, but now that I have less waist definition, I prefer something that girdles a little without cutting off circulation.&nbsp; So a mid-rise of 9 inches or so is generally my favorite - that lands below the belly button and keeps muffin at bay. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be/page/2#post-1155761 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 16:24:57 +0000 Aziraphale 1155761@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I prefer low rise for jeans, and higher rise for flat-fronted skirts. I discovered as a teenager that wearing high-rise jeans makes my waist look like it's up by my armpits. My torso is proportional to my height, but the narrowest bit is high up, so high-waisted jeans make my torso look non-existent! Not a good look. Also, for reasons I don't fully understand, I can wear a really low rise (7") and not have issues with plumber's crack. Furthermore, I can't stand the flies/zip rubbing against my belly. With low rise jeans, it sits across my hips and is much more comfortable.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm thinking that what's comfortable has a lot to do with body shape, because lots of other gals here are saying the exact opposite about low rise jeans. Skirts can be much higher rise on me because they lie flat against my belly. The non-existent torso issue I have with high-rise jeans does not apply to skirts because I overlap the top and make sure it ends around my hips. Because of the flat front of the skirt, this looks fine.&nbsp;I do have one skirt that has jean detailing and a front zip. That one I wear lower on my hips like jeans, and semi-tuck a top.</p> <p>One more point: a lower rise means that the jeans waistband sits across your hips. This makes a horizontal line, which adds&nbsp;visual width to the hips. For a slim rectangle, this is ideal. Adding visual width to the hips makes my waist appear narrower, and emphasizes straight limbs. My guess is that a&nbsp;pretty pear would look better (and feel more comfortable) in a higher rise, since balancing a pear figure normally involves adding detail/volume to the top half, and sleekness to the hip area. I'm not sure about hourglass etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be/page/2#post-1155547 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 04:49:31 +0000 Beth Ann 1155547@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi April!&nbsp; </p> <p>I like a variety of rises, for different silhouettes.&nbsp; </p> <p>In the past year, I have discovered tucking again, along with faux and semi tucks, too.&nbsp; I also have noticed my weight distribution shifting higher, and I find that higher, broader waists give me the "locked and loaded" effect Shiny mentioned, and I value that.&nbsp; Also, as a size 14, I find really low rises out of the question.</p> <p>I'm eyeing higher rises in soft, even pleated, trousers with new interest, and I like my skirts, particularly fuller ones, a little higher with a wider waist band, for more comfort and a nice bit of structure in the midsection. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be/page/2#post-1155539 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 04:35:23 +0000 shiny 1155539@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The rise does vary by size, but not dramatically. That's why vendors are apt to just say "high" or "mid" or "low" and not provide measurements, which drives me nuts. Especially because it's totally changed over time!! It used to be (when I first joined YLF) high rise meant 8.5-9 inches. Now that is a MID rise, and high rise is more like 10 inches. So confusing!&nbsp;</p> <p>It's not just the rise that is important in the grand scheme of things. We could start a similar thread on back rises. I'm sure we're all very different there too! My best jeans have a back rise identical, or close, to front rise.</p> <p>Waistband contour is just as important.&nbsp;</p> <p>Then there's the thighs. Not just outer but inner. My outer thighs are non-existent but I have inner thighs, which I swear pull jeans down and do all sorts of weird fussy stuff to the fit. I was born pigeon toed and had braces to correct it and all that... so my hips and thighs are kind of wonky... but I have noticed that the way they place the seams on the thighs makes a huge fit difference. It's the little things.</p> <p>It's a miracle any of us find jeans that work! But thank goodness for so many options.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be/page/2#post-1155465 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 02:55:00 +0000 Joyce B 1155465@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When the websites mention the length of the rise, they generally state the size for which it was measured. I believe the rise varies according to the size, but maybe not by much. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be/page/2#post-1155448 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 02:29:05 +0000 April 1155448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gigi, that's not at all a stupid question. &nbsp;We all know by now that bra cup size gets bigger and bigger based on band size, so why not the rise on&nbsp;jeans? &nbsp;I don't think rise does change much, though, because they often give the rise measurement in the garment description and they don't say that it varies with sizing. &nbsp;</p> <p>Also everyone who's posting on this thread is giving approximately the same range of rises (9" seems to be typical)&nbsp;and I'm sure&nbsp;we're not&nbsp;all the same size. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be/page/2#post-1155416 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 02:00:21 +0000 Jaime 1155416@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I consider my high hip where the hipbone starts my preferred&nbsp;waist for jeans. I have to pick something and at least this is pretty stable! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be/page/2#post-1155413 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 01:55:17 +0000 Gigi 1155413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Who'd have thought that a conversation about waistbands could be so fascinating?</p> <p>My belly button is about two inches below the narrowest part of me.</p> <p>As regards rise, this may be a stupid question...but does the rise measurement of a pant or jean stay the same from size to size, or does it increase as the sizes of a jean get bigger? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be/page/2#post-1155408 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 01:23:45 +0000 Angie 1155408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I bat for Team Low Rise Jeans all the way. Dress pants I wear a little higher - because it's more - well - dressy. Skirts I like on my natural waist so that they don't shift around.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be/page/2#post-1155405 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 01:16:05 +0000 cciele 1155405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So many variations in body type! This is cool, since I always assumed the natural waist was above the belly button, but this shows it's not true :)</p> <p>My natural waist is approx 2 in above my belly button. I like my waistband to hit approx 3 in below my navel. I used to think I needed a mid-high rise, but I think a lower rise is more flattering on me </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155383 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 00:49:23 +0000 deb 1155383@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>April, I am with you. I prefer a higher rise, no lower than an inch below my belly button. If it is lower, my pants will start sagging.&nbsp;When I bend forward, the bend is at my belly button. When I bend to the side, the bend is at my belly button. Based on this, I say my waist is at my belly button. It is also the narrowest part of me. My hip bone is probably 2 inches below my belly button.&nbsp; (I do not think I have typed 'belly button' so many times in one paragraph in my life!)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155381 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 00:46:29 +0000 Diana 1155381@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hardly ever wear anything at my natural waist. &nbsp;Maybe a skirt or two. &nbsp;I have such a high waist that it looks really disproportionate. &nbsp;Also, I have a weird issue where things pressing on my rib cage make me feel like I'm having a panic attack. &nbsp;My natural waist is literally millimeters below my lowest ribs, so there's not much room for things like waistbands and belts. &nbsp;</p> <p>I prefer my jeans to have an 8-9" rise - this is around 3" below my natural waist. &nbsp;Back rise needs to be 14" though as my butt takes up a lot of room!</p> <p>Janet, I think my navel is about 2" below my natural waist. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155375 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 00:36:32 +0000 April 1155375@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I second that about Urban Outfitters BDG jeans (which I originally learned about from shiny). &nbsp;I have a pair that I bought two sizes bigger to wear on a long flight, and I love them. &nbsp;</p> <p>The bigger size does mean that by the end of the day I'm standing in place, holding the waistband,&nbsp;and jumping up and down to re-adjust the slippage, but I wanted them loose to be comfortable and that they are. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155366 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 00:29:01 +0000 E 1155366@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm glad you asked this April, because I loved reading everyone's responses!</p> <p>I want skirts (I always tuck tops into skirts)&nbsp;to hit exactly at my natural waist, which is level with my belly button and the smallest part of me, which makes belting easy at least. No migrating belts for me! However, it's quite challenging to find skirts that do so and are also knee length (although I'm only 5'3"), as most skirts are designed to sit lower these days. I'm long waisted, so despite my shortness, waist seams on dresses are almost always higher than my natural waist. This used to drive me nuts, since it meant the waist line hit at my wider rib cage, instead of the smallest part of me, but nowadays I don't care as much about always showing off my waist, so I've relaxed a bit there. I'd still be thrilled to find dresses that had the waist seam at my belly button though!</p> <p>I prefer high rise trousers too, because I have a long rise: even a 10" rise on me hits below my belly button. In the low rise years, I constantly struggled to keep my midsection completely covered, as the long waist/torso &amp; long rise meant shirts were often too short too. *shudder*&nbsp;Luckily, if I accidentally flashed some skin it was my&nbsp;back rather than anything lower down. In my ideal world, all my trousers would suddenly transform themselves into 10 or 11" rises in the front, with longer rises in the back.&nbsp;I'm beginning to think I can do an 9" mid rise (I don't know how 1" can make that much of a difference, but it does), as long as the back rise is more generous: 2 of my 9" rise trousers don't have enough height in the back, which makes me feel insecure and exposed as soon as I do anything but stand/walk. I never fully tuck into trousers, because I don't like the proportion that results (although I'm happy wearing short tops with high rises; it's something about tucking a bit below my natural waist that just looks odd &amp; disguises my curves), but lately I'm trying a semituck thanks to YLF influence, and a 9" seems about perfect for that. Honestly, most of the trousers that I try on that have a high enough rise for me are probably from the 80s or 90s (I rely on thrifting); whenever I look at retail trousers, I'm always disappointed in the rise measurements.</p> <p>Donna, if you like skinnies, look at the BDG high rises from Urban Outfitters. I also have a long waist and long rise, and their jeans fit like they were made for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155362 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 00:27:48 +0000 Suz 1155362@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is fascinating. In the weight loss program that I did we took regular measurements and the instructions said that one was to be at our waist, where our belly button is. I scratched my head and thought, HUNH? Like some of you, my waist is quite a bit higher than that. But Janet, I think it is a very "normal" place for a waist to be -- maybe ideal.&nbsp;</p> <p>What an interesting thread -- it seems we really, really vary.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'll add some more confusion. Because I like my clothing waist in different places, depending on the garment!&nbsp;</p> <p>Like Grayscale, I'm relatively short, with a short waist and long rise. Short(isn) legs.&nbsp;</p> <p>But I grew up in a time when people wore everything at their natural waist. So I am not bothered by the proportions of a high waist look, providing everything else is related to it and in balance.&nbsp;</p> <p>I love high waisted skirts and flat front trousers (the ones with a zip along the side.)&nbsp;</p> <p>For jeans and trousers, I&nbsp;also love what to me is a medium rise -- a couple of inches below the bellybutton. That'll be about 8.5 or 8 on me.&nbsp;</p> <p>And equally I adore a 7 inch rise for jeans. Love a long-torsoed look sometimes.&nbsp; </p> <p>ETA: And I do know that "too low" feeling as well where the band sits on and digs into the hips. <b>OUCH</b>!! I discovered that it was <b>NOT </b>because the rise was too low for me (as I first thought)&nbsp;&nbsp;but actually happened&nbsp;because the band wasn't properly contoured. A well contoured band won't dig that way.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155356 Sun, 02 Feb 2014 00:16:40 +0000 April 1155356@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@DonnaF -- the high waists are coming back, though. &nbsp;Gap has High Rise Skinnies (online only, for me one size up was right) and Nordstrom shows lots of different brands doing high-rise. &nbsp;Don't give up! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155330 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 23:14:14 +0000 DonnaF 1155330@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just got out the tape measure.&nbsp; My navel is about 2.5" below my waist.&nbsp; Outlier here.&nbsp; I have a lo-o-o-ong torso with a lo-o-o-ng waist.&nbsp; Until I came here, I didn't realize that having a long waist is so unusual.&nbsp; I came of age in the Mom Jeans era, so higher rise jeans feel much more comfortable on me.&nbsp; Since my waist is relatively small, today's waistbands these days never dig into me if the garment fits my hips and thighs.&nbsp; Low rises make me look like I am all torso and that someone has chopped a foot off my legs, plus they emphasize my chunky thighs.&nbsp; High waist skirts and pants make me look much more proportional but are so hard to find. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155316 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 22:49:20 +0000 Thistle 1155316@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I want them at my true waist. Finding this without moving into mom jean territory is hard. I have come to trust Ralph Lauren and Talbots for quality jeans, with a high rise, that don't go too deep into mom jean territory.</p> <p>But, I am a mom. And I wear jeans, so . . . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155314 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 22:45:21 +0000 Sona 1155314@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My true waist is high like Michelle Obama's but I do not dress like her. Muffin top is a pain with many pant and jean rises being lower and lower...</p> <p>:(</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155313 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 22:41:30 +0000 Anonymous 1155313@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have the same body type as Greyscale, and prefer my waistband to be low, beneath my belly button. My belly button is below my natural waist, and my rise is long. Also, I have a slight tummy from having 4 kids--3 of whom were delivered via C-section. As for tucking, I never tuck, and haven't done so in many moons. All tucking does is emphasize how short-waisted I am. I'm petite, and prefer low contrast color combos or dressing all in one color. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155308 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 22:25:36 +0000 Marillen 1155308@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have long ~everything~ so even a 10 in. med rise is sitting on the hips and 2 in. below belly button.&nbsp; Any pant sitting at my natural waist would need a rise of 14 in.? O_o&nbsp; </p> <p>I think most high rise pants, despite sitting slightly below belly button still make my torso look short when tucked!&nbsp; Similar to Gigi I think.&nbsp; So mostly med-rise for me, too low = hip and butt spillage.&nbsp; High rise is comfy though, and I still wear skirts fairly high too.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155304 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 22:02:13 +0000 Joyce B 1155304@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agree, April. I don't want to see butts or to show butt. I want to be able to squat in comfort. I have been doing a lot of research on jeans lately but the only ones that really fit me and are flattering on me are my NYDJs. I still have to check out the Paige Jimmys, but considering all the others that I have tried on, I am not hopeful at all. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155293 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 21:50:14 +0000 Mo 1155293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also have a high waist. &nbsp;And when I gain, it moves up, as the hip shelf gets bigger. &nbsp;It's several inches above my navel. &nbsp;I like to wear pants with rises between 8" and 9". &nbsp;Skirts I like just below my navel, or at it. &nbsp;I don't care for wearing skirts as low as I do jeans. &nbsp;<br />For example, these jeans were 7.5" rise if I recall. &nbsp;Too low. &nbsp;Left my love handles hanging out to dry instead of locked and loaded as Shiny describes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155290 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 21:43:07 +0000 CocoLion 1155290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My natural waist is high up. &nbsp;I like pants of all rises but feel most comfortable in a higher rise, where things button around the belly button. &nbsp;Which is around 1.5" below my waist. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155287 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 21:35:46 +0000 shiny 1155287@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, if my jeans hit 3 inches below my waistband, let's just say i'd have to have a wax. And skip the underwear. And surely there'd be a lot of crack showing. Most of my rear would be showing.</p> <p>An 8.5-9 inch rise is riding just above my hip bone.&nbsp;A 7.5 inch rise is ON my hip bone.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think maybe my belly button actually sunk lower after I had my babies...&nbsp;</p> <p>So this is interesting, and maybe it's why I don't understand jean size charts at all? What I call my waist (where I bend, my narrowest part) is about 26-27 inches. At my belly button, I'm closer to 29-30. Then my hips are only about 33-34 inches. Normally when I select sizes, I ignore the waist measurement and look at the hips instead -- and then cross my fingers! Lately I have been having the best luck with size 26 jeans in premium brands&nbsp;-- even though I'm running at the higher end of that scale. I cannot imagine going with the at-belly button measurement.... a size 29 is huge on me all over.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155281 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 21:21:27 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1155281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, my belly button is right at where I bend, too. This is pretty unusual, though; it seems like for most ladies their belly button is a few inches below where they bend (what I usually consider the natural waist).</p> <p>I know from sewing some of my own clothes that I have a short rise, relative to my height, but a long torso. For years I thought I was short waisted but I'm actually long waisted with a short rise. Thank goodness, or I could have never gotten through the low rise jeans years being tall and found pants I could wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155279 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 21:16:18 +0000 Emily 1155279@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe it's a matter of finding the right&nbsp;fit, but I've never been comfortable in trousers with a higher rise. &nbsp;I'm afraid i was a teenager in the early 00s, when jean waistbands dipped so low that they practically required a bikini wax, and the preference for a low rise has stuck. &nbsp;I'm not wearing them&nbsp;<i>that&nbsp;</i>low,&nbsp;I definitely like my waistband&nbsp;to near my hips and well below my bellybutton. &nbsp;Pencil skirts&nbsp;sit closer to my waist, though, and I take steps to prevent lower back (and&nbsp;plumber's crack) exposure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/where-do-like-your-waistband-to-be#post-1155275 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 21:08:24 +0000 April 1155275@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>People, people -- what's with all this tucking in? &nbsp;</p> <p>@shiny -- yes, I hate that spillover effect as well. &nbsp;I tell myself it's not me, it's the clothes...</p> <p>@Gigi -- ah, the hipbones fighting with the waistband. &nbsp;I've had that too and it is quite painful. </p> <p>ETA: Janet, if I bend to the side, the bending spot is above the navel. &nbsp;Not hugely above, maybe two inches?</p>