I Tried On, Like, 40 Different Jeans in My Quest for the Ultimate High-Waisted Pair
There was a time when I thought I would NEVER wear high-waisted jeans. In high school, wearing low-rise jeans with a 1-inch crotch was my naïve way of attempting to look cool and sexy; the thought of buttoning pants at your belly button seemed decidedly opposite. Well, folks, the times and trends have obviously changed-and so have my ideas of what I thought was sexy, thank God. In 2018, high-waisted pants are Where It's At.
I came around to wearing them when I went out on a limb and bought a wide-leg pair because of a deal that was WAY too good to pass up. As soon as I put them on, I realized how insanely comfortable a higher waistline could be. Anyway, now, my newfound passion has led to this: Trying on what seems like thousands of pairs to find THE perfect ones. Wow, it has been a journey, but now I know all the best ones and can share all of them with you!
The Best High-Waisted Jeans in Every Style to Stock Up On Stat
Best Skinny Jeans
After doing some internet sleuthing, I came across this Good American pair, which has great reviews and is also $60 less than the brand's other best-selling "Good Legs" style. Why? It's in a different fabric and undergoes a simpler wash process but has the same exact fit and feel as the $159 option.
The brand also has a diverse range of sizes, from a 00-24. While my size did fit, I could've worn a size smaller if I wanted them to feel more snug-but overall, I was more than pleasantly surprised. I also didn't have to point my toes or tug them vigorously to get the openings over my feet, unlike most super skinny jeans I've worn.
Best Wide-Leg Jeans
Madewell has some great denim pieces; however, these wide-leg ones stood out because they're one of the brand's top-rated styles-4.2 out of 5 stars is pretty impressive, IMO-so I had to try them out. Once I slid them on I was hooked-they hit my waist right above my navel, and I loved the shape.
They also come in two different lengths-regular and tall-so the hem hits where you want it to depending on your height. And, just so you know, you can get these monogrammed for an extra $10 if you're into personalization.
Best Crop Flare Jeans
American Eagle is a great place to look for wallet-friendly jeans that don't skimp on style. Case in point: these cropped flares. They had just the right amount of stretch, and the size felt spot on. Also important: They made my butt look kind of amazing. This pair comes in three different lengths-short, regular, and long-so you can opt for more of a cropped style or one that covers your ankles.
Some reviewers note that the dye can have a strong smell (although I didn't notice that with the pair I tried on), and, FYI, the brand recommends you wash them in cold water before wearing them so the color doesn't transfer. But on the whole, these hit all the marks-they're affordable, they fit well, and they're SO cute.
Best Straight-Leg Jeans
J Brand is a favorite of Kate Middleton's (she often wears the skinny 811 style), and while it offers a wide range of fits and rises, I decided to try this straight-leg pair because it's SUPER high-rise (it's 11.75 inches, and because I'm only 5'4" it went well above my belly button) and they didn't disappoint. The material was incredibly soft, and they were just the right length-not too cropped, not too long. (I high-key hate when my jeans are too long and I'm left with bunched ankles.)
I would suggest sizing down for a tighter fit at the waistband and throughout the legs. Although these jeans are pricier, J Brand has other high-waisted styles that retail for around $100 as well.
Best Stretch
OK, so a lot of jeans out there have stretch to them-what makes this Everlane pair stand out? Well, they seemed stiff when I initially took them out of their package, but they completely molded to my body in the best possible way. Basically, they're still rigid and denim-like but they also move with you and feel almost like a second skin. They also happen to have more than 2,000 reviews and a 4.71 rating out of 5 stars.
The inclusive sizes range from 23-33, and the cut has a trendy, figure-hugging fit. The only thing I had to note was that when I sat down for a period of time and stood back up, I had to reach down and un-bunch the fabric from behind my knees-it was slightly annoying, but all positives considered, it was a a pretty minor issue.
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