Love it or not, there's no denying that the return of ultra-low-rise denim has been one of the more polarizing events in recent fashion history. After all, the trend harkens back to a time that perpetuated unrealistic beauty standards. Plus, with low-slung jeans come certain downsides. There's always a looming risk of wardrobe malfunctions and they don't sculpt or accentuate your curves nearly as well as high-waisted jeans do.
Perhaps for this reason at the Spring 2024 shows we saw a sharp, ahem, rise in high-rise styles. Some more wearable than others. At Loewe, Jonathan Anderson did daywear with a twist, pairing an exaggerated-cuff Oxford shirt with super, super high-waisted white jeans. We're talking halfway up the rib cage, Steve Urkel style.
Coperni also played with everyday silhouettes by teaming flared, high-waisted jeans with button-down shirts with lapels that ended at the sternum and sleeves that hung way down below the wrist. Rokh and Stella McCartney featured worn, wide-legged denim alongside skin-baring outerwear. At Rokh it was a brown-check blazer with bra-baring cut-outs, while at McCartney a faux leather blazer was worn solo.
Celine's Spring 2024 runway film featured bootcut jeans held up by black belts with sparkly silver buckles, styled in one case with a belly button-exposing white cami. In another, a cropped black turtleneck and motocross jacket. So it seems designers are still adamant that we show some skin.
But don't feel obligated. Whether you ultimately choose to style yours with a rib-skimming crop top, a romantic blouse, a crisp button-down, a formfitting bodysuit or a classic tee, for now just bask in the knowledge that classic, universally flattering high-rise jeans are back. (Did they ever really leave?)
Now to decide on your denim mood. After all, a great pair of jeans, no matter the rise, is all about personal preference. Are you into the timeless look of straight legs and skinnies? Or do you prefer the laid-back ease of a baggy boyfriend style? Perhaps, like McCartney, you constantly reference the 70s (or identify as petite) and flares are more your thing. Or you're aching to try a more avant-garde, barrel-leg silhouette.
Color-wise, are you partial to the summery, nautical associations of eggshell? The Parisian vibes of dark indigo? The versatility of medium-blue tones? The 90s nostalgia of inky black?
Whatever the case, there's something for you in the assortment below. Scroll down for our edit of the best high-rise jeans currently on the market.
Jeanerica Fuji Stretch High-Rise Super Flared-Leg Jeans, $260 at Moda Operandi
COS Symmetry Jeans Straight in Washed Black, $120 at COS
Good American Good Waist Cropped High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans in Mid Denim, $140 at Net-a-Porter
SLVRLAKE London Double Yoke, $240 at SLVRLAKE
AGOLDE Luna Pieced Wide-Leg Jeans, $260 at Matches Fashion
Anine Bing Carrie Jean, $250 at Anine Bing
Zara ZW Marine High Rise Straight Pocket Jeans, $49.90 at Zara
Loewe Anagram Appliquéd High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans, $1,050 at Net-a-Porter
Mango Waxed High-Rise Skinny Jeans, $49.99 at Mango
Bottega Veneta High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans in Blue, $1,300 at Net-a-Porter
Everlane The Original Curvy Cheeky Jean in Ecru, $88 at Everlane
Madewell The Perfect Vintage Jean in Decatur Wash, $109.50 at Madewell
Reformation Cynthia High Rise Straight Jeans in Liman, $148 at Reformation
& Other Stories Straight Jeans in Light Blue, $129 at & Other Stories
Still Here Childhood in Classic Blue, $235 at Still Here
RE/DONE High Rise Rigid Loose Jean, $285 at Shopbop
Citizens of Humanity Jolene Cropped High-Rise Slim-Leg Jeans in Light Denim, $168 at Net-a-Porter
Darkpark Rosalind - Bow Cargo Denim, $730 at Moda Operandi
COS Column Flocked-Denim Jeans Straight, $170 at COS
Dôen Diana Jean in Rinse Wash, $198 at Dôen
Levi's Ribcage Wide, $108 at Revolve
Alexander McQueen High-Rise Stretch-Denim Flared Jeans, $1,090 at Matches Fashion
Isabel Marant Lemony Denim Pants in Grey, $590 at Isabel Marant
MOTHER The High Waist Rascal Slice Sneak Fray Jeans, $238 at Neiman Marcus
Rag & Bone Andi High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans, $235 at Anthropologie
Pilcro Rinse Cuffed High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans, $148 at Anthropologie
