The best high-waisted jeans never go out of style, offering an air of effortless cool to any outfit. But finding the right one can be tricky if you don’t choose the right rise, inseam, or features for your body type. Luckily, we scoured our favorite denim brand to bring you quality pairs to choose from at all price points. We also spoke to fashion experts who recommended picks for petite frames, tall women, curvy women, and more. From straight-leg to skinny jeans, baggy, boyfriend fits (yes, they can feature a high-rise!) to wide-legs, and more, find options for every silhouette with an over 10-inch inseam.
The best high-waisted jeans, at a glance
Best Wide-Leg High-Waisted Jeans: Levi’s Ribcage Wide-Leg Jeans
Original photo from Avery Matera testing Levi’s Ribcage Wide-Leg Jeans
“At only 5 feet, 4 inches tall, I have historically had a lot of trouble finding a pair of wide-leg jeans that I like and don’t make me feel frumpy—especially with flat shoes,” says Avery Matera, a Glamour contributor and cofounder of the jewelry company Palley & Co. “These Ribcage wide-leg jeans from Levi’s have totally changed the game for me and I’m totally obsessed with them.” While they don’t technically hit her at the ribcage, she mentions the name is certainly apt, as they’re truly high-waisted with a super flattering fit. “The slim top of these jeans perfectly balances the volume of the overall silhouette, making them feel classic and leg-lengthening and ready for true day-to-night wear. And, what’s more, the under-$100 price tag has me pining after a second pair in a different denim wash!” she reports. “While they look great with a camisole and heels for dinner, I have fallen in love with the classic simplicity of styling them with a tucked-in, white cotton t-shirt and a pair of ballet flats.”
2. Best Slim-Fit High-Waisted Jeans: Reformation Cynthia High Rise Straight Jeans
Original photo from Michelle Salem testing Reformation Cynthia High Rise Straight Jeans
Known for high-quality denim at an affordable price point, Reformation’s denim category should not be overlooked, especially since they always use sustainable production processes. “While I mainly can be found in vintage Levis 501s, if I want to go for something a little more high-waisted, I’m reaching for the Reformation Cynthia jean,” says PR and brand strategist Michelle Salem. “They’re fitted in the right places while still having a straight-leg cut, and from the first wear, they felt like I’d owned them for years.” Think of these as the modern day, Mom jeans, and wearing accordingly, with everything from ribbed knits to fitted t-shirts and tank tops, the ‘90s way.
3. Best Straight-Leg High-Waisted Jeans: Agolde Kelly High Rise Straight-Leg Jeans
Original photo from Naomi Emiko testing Agolde Kelly High Rise Straight-Leg Jeans
“I absolutely love a good pair of high-waisted, straight-leg jeans in classic blue,” says Naomi Omamuli Emiko, owner of TNGE Global. “They’re such an important wardrobe staple, and Agolde makes a great pair.” This easy, everyday jean is also extremely versatile, with a super high-waisted fit that is easy to style. “I dress mine up or down, sometimes just with a T-shirt and flats, or I go for heels and a statement belt. This jean is perfect for making a blazer look a bit more casual, or can be super cozy just with a thicker knit.” With so many ways to wear, these light wash jeans have certainly caught our attention, thanks to Omamuli Emiko’s expertise.
4. Best Curvy High-Waisted Jeans: Abercrombie Curve Love High Rise ’90s Relaxed Jean
Original photo from Shelby Hyde testing Abercrombie Curve Love High Rise ’90s Relaxed Jean
“I’ve been wearing Abercrombie’s jeans for the last fifteen years and this ’90s style of high-rise denim, in particular, has become a fixture in my wardrobe,” says fashion, lifestyle, and travel writer, Shelby Ying Hyde. “Apart from the relaxed cut that works for just about every occasion, they’re made with a hint of stretch that hugs my curves and creates an almost perfect fit. The fact that they come in a handful of different washes is just an added bonus.” Not only do these jeans come in multiple colorways, Abercrombie & Fitch offers this curvy-fit (meaning it is cut with a little extra room in the hip and bum area) in five different inseam lengths, as well.
5. Best Investment High-Waisted Jeans: Jamie Haller The Lax Jean
Original photo from Lauren Chan testing Jamie Haller The Lax Jean
“The Lax jean by Jamie Haller is a mid-rise, straight-leg jean with a 32-inch inseam (tall girls rejoice!) that creates an intentional puddle when worn with flats for guaranteed cool factor,” says Lauren Chan, model and founder of Henning. “Every time I’ve worn them, I’ve had people—my partner, agents, even strangers on the street—ask where they’re from.” She likes that they are made from one hundred-percent cotton, which makes them feel as luxe as designer denim, while their slight, yellow-toned shade of indigo wash, offers a modern feel. And although they are an investment, in her opinion they are worth it. “I happily skipped a handful of fashion purchases in order to bring these beauties home,” she says.
6. Best Barrel-Leg High-Waisted Jeans: AG Hattie High Waist Ankle Wide Barrel Leg Jeans
Original photo from Laura Lajiness Kaupke testing AG Hattie High Waist Ankle Wide Barrel Leg Jeans
“I’m 5 foot 4 inches tall, which is such a tricky height for jeans,” says Glamour contributor and Ça Marche founder Laura Lajiness Kaupke. “By no means am I all leg, nor am I all torso—quite proportioned, indeed—and yet few jeans seem to fit me well at the waist, thighs, and length. I am most certainly not a low-rise person, and mid-rise is so-so for my shape, too. So high-rise is everything for me, in terms of elongating and preventing a dressed squatty appearance.” On a never ending quest for that perfect pair, she’s found the right length, comfy rise, and a lightweight feel with this jean from AG. “And while I am all-in on the barrel leg trend, I love that these feel slightly less dramatic—just a touch of volume to make my failsafe basics feel a skosh more modern and considered (because let’s face it, as a working mom of two little girls, I’m almost always rushing to put an outfit together),” she says.
7. Best Relaxed-Fit High-Waisted Jeans: Alex Mill The Bev Relaxed Jeans
Original photo from Aemilia Madden testing Alex Mill The Bev Relaxed Jeans
If you are looking for a loose-fit jean that still features a high-rise (no low-rises here!), writer, editor, and brand consultant, Aemilia Madden, recommends Alex Mill’s The Bev relaxed jeans. “The baggy fit and light wash are perfect for summer,” she says. “They remind me of my favorite vintage Levi’s, and the denim itself is soft enough that I wear these on red-eye plane flights instead of sweats.” Even being made from one hundred-percent, non-stretch cotton, these will take you from sunup to sundown in style. Pair with effortless basics like a t-shirt, blazer, loafer or boot.
8. Best on Amazon High-Waisted Jeans: Amazon Essentials High-Rise Straight Jeans
The beauty of the Amazon Essentials line is they offer just that—everyday workhorses, including great denim, that you want to wear over and over. Their straight-leg, high-waisted jean is one of those simple styles that really gets the job done. Priced under-$50, customers love the denim quality and the bit-of-stretch that this jean offers. Whether you are looking for a weekend pair to run errands in with your favorite sneakers, or a jean that can be worn to the office (just add a blazer and belt), this high-waisted pair will make dressing on the daily, all the easier.
9. Best Tall High-Waisted Jeans: Old Navy High-Waisted Wow Wide-Leg Jeans
Tall women take note: Old Navy’s Wow wide-leg jeans boast the longest inseam on our list. Enjoy the look of the long-legged silhouette, without ever having to struggle with high-water hems again, with their 34-inch, full-length inseam jean. Available in six different washes, we love the medium wash blue to transition your closet through any season. You’ll confidently reach for this pair over and over, styling effortlessly with your favorite T-shirts and sandals during the spring and summer, or paired with a chunky knit and high-heeled boots during the fall.
10. Best Petite High-Waisted Jeans: Good American Straight Jeans
Those under 5 foot 4 inches tall, who are struggling to find a high-waisted jean that fits their proportion, look no further. Good American has you covered with a 25.5-inch inseam, plus a high-rise to match, ensuring your jeans actually have a high-rise fit to match your body shape—no gapping at the waist. As always, tummy control is top-of-mind for the designers of Good American, and these feature the brand’s signature, sculpting denim fabric, so you’ll be looking snatched in no time. Consider styling this cropped-fit denim with everything from a button-down shirt and flats to a fitted tank top and kitten heels for a girl’s night out.
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