20 Best High-Waisted Jeans, According to Style Experts

Ah, the welcome return of high-rise jeans. In a response to the low, low, low rises of Y2K fashion, designers began offering up an above-the navel alternative to those belly-baring, barely-there flies. And, as the fashion pendulum is wont to do, it swung us all the way back to the denim decades that preceded us.

“This iteration of high-rise jeans really feels like the best of both fashion worlds,” says Kristen Saladino, Hearst Executive Fashion Director. “You get that cool 70s vibe coming through with the signature high-waist of that era, but you also reap the benefits of 2022 denim production: cleaner lines, more flattering fits, a variety of cuts and washes, not to mention more socially conscious practices. All of those factors have contributed to why we’ve seen this particular style explode over the last couple of years.”

And it explode it has. Today, options abound: every major denim brand boasts high-waist styles, and they’re available everywhere, so price tags can range from $20 to upwards of $200! Of course, shopping for the perfect pair can be tricky, but a few key fit tips will guide you through. “The button should at least cover your belly button and can go all the way up to the bottom of the your rib cage,” says Saladino. “The goal is to create a defined waistline and accentuate curves. So while you can get a pair that has a baggy or oversized leg, the rise itself should always be flush against your body.”

Also, remember that anything from a 10-inch to a 13-inch rise can qualify as high; measuring what that will look like relative to your own torso helps you navigate the right pair. Generally, the higher the rise, the longer your legs look, but you’re also shopping for wearability and comfort — so if an 11-inch fly makes you feel like you’re wearing jeans up to your neck, or like you’re one sneeze away from cracking a rib, you may want to start with something lower. That’s the beauty of having an omnipresent denim style like the high-rise — there is something for everyone.

Below, some of the best high-waisted jeans — both budget picks and style splurges — that you can wear myriad ways no matter what silhouette you love (straight, flare, bootcut, cropped and yes, skinny!), what size you need and what vibe you’re going for.