Pants rise and shifting expectations

LaPed

I'm wearing a pair of really old jeans today -- probably circa 2000-2002. They're labeled as "low rise" and the front rise measures 9.25", which is perfect for me -- above the hip, below the navel. Today I'm seeing a lot of jeans with a 9" rise labeled as "high rise" and a lot of "mid-rise" jeans in the 7.5-8" range. An 8" rise sits at or just below my hipbones (I'm 5'4") -- in what universe can that be considered mid-rise, especially on a pair of pants with a 32-33" inseam?! On a well-proportioned petite garment it might make sense. Maybe this has been de rigeur for a while, but since I mostly shop secondhand maybe I'm only now beginning to notice it.

9 years ago

Shopping

13 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

El Cee

Veteran

I have seen the same thing, LaPedestrienne. It is frustrating. The rise "labelling" seems all over the place. This is why I am always checking on both the front and back rise measurements -- even if I have to place a call to an online retailer to get that information. And I often carry a small tape measure in my purse when shopping the "brick and mortars"... very handy.

9 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I have noticed it depends on the Brand and who manufacturers the garment. Plus factor in changing times. If I like a fit or a shape I will buy multiples. I've been the same size for many years. I rarely stray especially from style of jean.

9 years ago

El Cee

Veteran

Me too -- Ledonna. I am firmly on "Team Multiples" when it comes to manufacturer and style of jeans. It is a safe strategy.

9 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

Great. Another way to make clothes shopping confusing. Like we didn't have enough to keep track of, what with an old navy 6 being the same as a banana republic 8 and a gap xs.... no way of knowing if I need regular length or tall because it changes every year... now I gotta worry about store A low rise being the same as store D mid rise and both if those are the same as store 4 high rise

And I suck at math so I guess I'm just screwedLOL

9 years ago

anne

Veteran

Yes i can relate. I can remember the first jeans I bought that were what I thought of as hipster and not going to my actual waist were the same fit. Just above the hip bones at the side. I think that was about 2001 . I don't have them any more so can't measure the rise.

9 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

Oh yes. Comparing my "mid-rise" jeans that stretch across my hip bones, and other brands' mid-rise that doesn't fall off my hips without a belt, I have to say these terms have no meaning. Sometimes it makes me want to scream. Hey retailers! There are real women out here who would buy your stuff if it weren't so confusing and crazy.

9 years ago

BrieN

Veteran

I have also called the retailer to find out rise measurements when they aren't expressly given (both front rise and back rise). They make a huge difference in the fit and feel of a pair of jeans. I've had customer service people tell me they can't give me the information or have to call me back in 2 days to give me the measurements. With so much data at their fingertips, you'd think they could easily provide these crucial measurements. As I recall Nordstrom is helpful with this.

9 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

Yes -- I've already made the switch to only buying pants if I can get the garment measurements (eBay and Etsy sellers are usually very good about this; off the top of my head I know that Everlane, Uniqlo, and Boden all post detailed garment measurements online) or try on in person. Heck, I'm even moving in that direction for tops and jackets, even though my upper body is relatively easy to fit.

It just hadn't occurred to me that maybe I ought to be shopping for "high risers" since I'm fairly short and don't want my jeans to come up to my bellybutton. But if 9" can be considered a high rise, then I need to keep an open mind to pants with that label.

I've definitely had pants I wish I'd duplicated. So often nowadays styles get re-worked every season. I'm so not a fan of the extremely rapid turnover that the fast fashion industry has encouraged.

9 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think the rise length also depends some on size and they may not measure in the size one wears, if you know what I am saying.

Individuals vary in the length of their rise. I'm the same height as you -- and short waisted but quite long in the rise. Yet in most brands, an 8.5 rise is what I'd call "mid range" on me -- above the hip, below the navel.

9 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

LaPedestrienne, I love etsy for just the reason you mentioned. Sellers and makers are available (generally fairly quickly) to answer questions and help me choose the right size so I don't have to worry if it fits and etc. And custom orders at prices I can afford

9 years ago

Vix

Veteran

Hi LaP --

Yes, in addition to whatever fashion labels the measurements, one woman's high rise is another's low!

You, Suz, and I are the same height but Suz and I are basically the same body, ha. So I was super-happy when "high rises" came back last spring...stocked up on a few pairs of jeans so I could get the waist closer to mine but there's still a way to go!

I'm too lazy to do more than google, but one of the pairs I bought labelled their high rise measurement as 10" front rise; 14" back rise (size 29). So if 9.25 is great but you could take a little more, I wouldn't rule out the modern high rise.

Happy hunting!

9 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

I use my own definitions which are just as unreliable as theirs...

High rise -auditioning to be Brenda's best friend on 90210
Mid rise -should fit me but doesn't
Low rise - I have to wax to wear

9 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Bj ---- where is the hilarious laughing face emoji on this thing???

Yeah. Well, Vix is right about our measurements except she somehow has lovely long slender gams and some kind of bust and I have neither...but the rectangular part in the middle is similar, and yeah, I would agree that I need over 9" for a truly high rise.

9 years ago

Category