High waisted jeans violate my morals and my bellybutton.

I’m REALLY not a huge fan of high waisted jeans. Reasons why:

#1) The odd diaper-esque way everyone’s butt and front butt look in them (EVEN IF you’re 95 pounds, you’ll still gain a front-butt in these jeans)
#2) The way I imagine they would irritatingly rub against the bellybutton ring I have in as a memorial to being 18 and carefree.
#3) I wouldn’t be able to enjoy a satisfying meal for fear of looking extra bloated.

The Fug Girls, while covering NY fashion week said “Call us crazy, but if high-waisted jeans looked like crap on us and everyone else the first time, why should we take a ride on that rickety, stank-ass bandwagon now?”

But my dear friend Marie asked:

“I’m looking for a good pair of mid to high-rise jeans that are lighter in weight, and light in color. This pair (below) by J Brand caught my eye, but I’m looking for other options to compare before I purchase.”

I can put my dislike for high-waisted denim aside to help a friend in need.

If you MUST go high-rise, opt for a wide leg (trouser-cut or flare). The wide leg will balance the shape so it’s more angular and less pear-ish.

Just to show an example of how atrocious high-waisted, skinny leg jeans can look ON A MODEL, witness the horror:

(Saks)
I’m sure this model weighs about 96 pounds soaking wet, but it looks like she pulled on a pair of black tights over a diaper. Ick.

SO, now that we all understand THOSE won’t work, here’s some jeans that might. I ordered them from most expensive to least expensive.

Kasil, $213
These Kasil Jeans (Chelsea, $213 at TrueJeans) jeans are mid-rise with a trouser cut. They have dark stitching and minimal accents.

Back pockets are soooo critical on jeans. Here’s the pockets for the Kasil jeans. Even though they are ‘trouser’ pockets, they keep the outline of where the pocket is so the butt doesn’t look like a denim ocean.


Jenny Jen, $181
I like these just because of the name. Ha. Anyway, these are a higher-rise, light-wash, light-weight jean. $181 at ShopBop.

Pine IV, $176
These Kyoto jeans from Pine IV have a lighter, more distressed wash. If you didn’t know, Pine IV is a local Seattle area company. They’re the anti-low rise jeans and make their jeans 100% Butt-Cleavage free. They have a back-flap pocket and are more casual. (TrueJeans)

Dittos, $165
These look a bit awkward to me (might be the key chain hanging from one of the belt loops?) but if you like the lighter wash and something true to the 70’s feel of high-rise, wide-bottom jeans, you might like these jeans by Dittos.

Citizens of Humanity, $161
For something more casual, Citizens of Humanity has a high-rise jean with a boot-cut leg. It comes in a dark wash and more of the ‘classic’ lighter Citizens wash. $161 at Saks.

7 for all Mankind, $143
And finally, an oldie but a goodie, 7 for all Mankind has a wide leg, high-rise jean. (It’s amazing to think how 7 for all Mankind reworked the way most women thought about denim prices.) $143 at Saks.

Happy high-rise shopping!

-Jenny