High rise pants are getting me down

Sighhhh. It has happened. The high-waisted wave has overtaken the city. Which is, I am sure, delightful for some, but sucks for me since high-waisted pants make me look like Urkel.

The problem is, I need to replace my dark wash skinnies. They developed a crotch hole (the only unacceptable patching area on a pair of jeans) and I really need new ones. Low-rise jeans are best for my short frame (on me, low rise isn't all that low), but I will sometimes accept medium rise, depending. I'm very busy at the moment so I've only looked a few places in passing, but they all stock high-rise everything, with a few mid-rise. No low rise. Pppththtpppt.

I'm in finals fortnight right now, but after that I have three weeks off with the kids still in school. Shopping time! Anyone have any brand/style suggestions? I don't shop for jeans online, but I can keep my eye out for brands in store.

I have had success in the past with Rag&Bone and Citizens of Humanity, but I am open to any and all suggestions.

ETA It doesn't help that my husband thinks high-waisted jeans look terrible. On everybody. So even if I could find a pair that look semi-OK, it's just not worth it.

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I found good mid-rise jeans at Lucky Brand recently.

I feel your pain. Add short torso + big hips + big boobs and high rises just look like frumpalicious mom jeans on me. I'm clinging to my existing jeans and hoping to ride out the trend.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

What is your front rise measurement requirement, E?

Diana

I sympathize! The last thing I want is to emphasize my already short waist while getting my rib cage squashed. I've noticed lately that all the interesting washes/prints/cuts are high waisted. You can still find mid or low rise plain blue jeans but not much interesting. Boo.

CoH does still make Avedons (their lower rise skinny) although the Racer (high rise skinny) is much more prevalent and comes in more interesting washes. I think online is your best bet. Or there's always eBay if you know the exact style you want.

Funny, remember when a 8-9" rise was called "high rise"? Those were the days.

Aziraphale

Janet, I was going to do the same thing -- ride it out -- but I don't think I can! I really, really want a good pair of dark skinnies.

Angie, 7 inches is best. 8 is OK. Any suggestions would be welcome!

Diana, thanks for the commiseration. I have a pair of Avedons but they stretched out all to hell, and now I wear them as boyfriend jeans. It doesn't help that I sized up to begin with, because I like my skinnies with a bit of wiggle room. I'm glad to hear you mention that Racers are available, though, because those are low rise. I have a pair. I love them. I just looked on the R&B website and they do have some. I hope they have them in stores here.

Oh, ha, I don't know why I thought the racer was a high rise. But yes, it seems like they are making more washes, etc in Racer than Avedon these days.

Oh, just checked and *rocket* is the high rise. Lots of those too, so that's one to avoid.

Sal

Yes I think this trend will be rather awful on me too..... shortwaisted, busty and high hips....ughh! I am going to try it but with long legs and a short torso I think I will look frumpy and out of proportion and matronly....

I can't offer brand suggestions but there will be some offerings. I also disliked the super low rise jeans that were around about ten years ago. Long live the mid-rise:)

8 is easier - try AG and CoH. Hudson is worth a try too.

Kiwigal, on many normal-height women, low-rise = visible butt crack, so I totally understand why you don't like them! On my short frame, though, low-rise is just right. It's more like a low-ish mid-rise on me.

Having a mind blank, Angie. What's AG?

annagybe

http://www.agjeans.com/

Thanks, Anna! I didn't realize that AG was the whole name. I thought it was short for something. So many abbreviations...brain full...

carter

You might also have some luck at Off 5th or Nordstrom Rack, if you have either of those nearby. If the retail stores are moving out low rise to make room for high rise, you might get lucky at their clearance stores.

I dread high rise as well. I stocked up on lower rise jeans this past year when Angie first started talking about high rises. Thank you, Angie!

Thanks, Carter -- sadly we don't have Nordstrom here. Yet. It's coming, though!

Deb

Yes, this trend is certainly not for everyone. Shopbop have lots of AG's and other brand options which may interest you. By the way AG is Adriano Golschmeid's brand.

Minnie

Active Member

Hudson Collin skinny has an 8" rise.
If you can get free shipping both ways, you may consider buying several pairs online and return as needed.

sarah

I'm also short, and need a shorter rise, and will not be embracing the high rise trend (the waist would be up to my braline - very unflattering).

I was also going to recommend AG: AG is Adriano Goldschmeid. I've found their rise to be great for me. I have the Stilt skinnies. Good luck.

I was just on the 7 for All Mankind site and noticed that they still have several styles of low rise skinnies:

http://www.7forallmankind.com/store/fit.aspx?s=w

Gigi

No brand suggestions (I was going to suggest Citizens of Humanity, but you already listed them), but I just want to offer my sympathy. I am short too, and high rise is really ridiculous! There's pretty much no torso left; I might as well be wearing overalls!

That's too bad that high-rise jeans have taken over your part of the world. Here (Minnesota), low rises are still going very strong, from what I've been seeing at the mall. I don't see that many high-rise jeans at all, including in the stores.

Marilyn

****sigh**** Yep, it's bumming me out too. I just dropped a jean size and I'm desperately trying to replace mine at a reasonable price. Gap Always Skinny has been my go to but I'm starting to think they're phasing them out. Their new Resolution denim, which they are calling mid-rise, has a 9.5 rise. Even the petites are 9". That's crazy!

gradfashionista

I don't have issues with high-rise fits because I has a high rise. After a brief spell wearing high-rise jeans last year, however, I returned to my skinnies. If you choose to pass, you'll have company! But if you want to dabble, try 7FAM, and All Saints.

DonnaF

Ah, horses for courses. There was a period of years when I bought NO jeans or pants because the rises were too short! Now, I guess, I'm coming into my own. I think I may have a shortish to average rise, but my torso is super long so a waistband will NEVER hit my ribs. Low rises just make my generous thighs look bigger, make my torso look even more out of proportion, and make me look like I am walking on my knees. So these higher rises are actually suiting one of us!

Thanks again, everyone -- for both the suggestions, and the commiseration! Sorry for the post-and-run. I will look into the brands you have suggested when I go shopping in a couple of weeks.

Minnie, I live in Canada, so no free shipping.

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