The 11 Best High-Waisted Jeans, from Jeggings to Wide-Leg Crops
When it comes to shopping for jeans, there are two types of people in this world: those who hate the entire process with a fiery passion and those who actually find joy in trying on 12 million pairs of non-stretch denim in one (sweaty) afternoon. Needless to say, we’re with the former. So if you, too, struggle to find the best high-waisted jeans—that actually fit as they should—we’re here to provide some solace. We reached out to women across the country, with all different body types and denim preferences, to figure out what high-waisted jeans are even worth trying on. Without further ado, the 11 bellybutton-grazing pairs you’ll want to add to your collection.
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1. Madewell Curvy Slim Wide Leg Jeans
Overall Best High-Rise Jean
Value: 18/20
Functionality: 20/20
Quality: 17/20
Aesthetics: 19/20
Fit: 20/20
TOTAL: 98/100
These Madewell jeans were, hands-down, the most popular pair of high-waisted jeans among the women I asked. “I like my denim a little stretchier, so I can sit more comfortably. I prefer Madewell jeans that are the ‘Curvy’ fit because they have a higher rise and eliminate weird waist gap but still give me some space for my ass,” says Claire, a former Madewell employee. She also notes that they have a little extra coverage in the front to hide the tummy pooch that high-waisted jeans tend to create (or emphasize).” Yael, who has also worked at the retailer in the past, echoed the same rave reviews, adding: “I even tried on a distressed pair and wasn’t totally into the hole but bought them anyways and ended up living in them.”
Available in sizes 23 to 37, plus Tall and Petite.
2. Levi’s Wedgie Icon Fit
Best Non-Stretch
Value: 20/20
Functionality: 20/20
Quality: 18/20
Aesthetics: 20/20
Fit: 20/20
TOTAL: 98/100
“I like my jeans to feel like actual denim—with little to no stretch. The Wedgie’s keep their structure over time and hold everything in. I also love a good button fly, which these have,” says Julia. She notes that they run true-to-size but they take about two days to wear in—after that, any stiffness is gone. While Julia gave these jeans an almost perfect score, she docked two points for quality, since they do tend to wear out in the thighs pretty quickly.
Available in sizes 23 to 32.
3. Loft High Rise Chewed Hem Skinny Jeans In Vintage Wash
Best For Petites
Value: 20/20
Functionality: 19/20
Quality: 18/20
Aesthetics: 18/20
Fit: 18/20
TOTAL: 93/100
“Loft's petite jeans are quite literally the only ones I've found that I don't have to cuff to be short enough for my 5'0 frame. They also stay up and don't stretch out throughout the day unlike other pairs I've worn,” Kara says. FYI, they’re also very budget friendly—Kara notes that you can usually find them on sale for under $50.
Available in sizes 24 to 31.
4. Re/Done ‘90s Loose Ripped Straight Leg Jeans
Best Vintage Look
Value: 15/20
Functionality: 19/20
Quality: 17/20
Aesthetics: 19/20
Fit: 19/20
TOTAL: 89/100
If you’ve ever attempted to find a pair of vintage jeans that actually fit how you like, you know it’s a nearly impossible mission. Luckily, Re/Done takes vintage Levi’s and reworks them to better fit today’s trends. I personally am a huge fan of this brand, since every pair arrives in a super soft, pre-worn (and pre-loved!) condition but they button-up to fit like a glove. Since they are vintage, these jeans can be a bit delicate and have a tendency to rip in the crotch after a year or two of wear—but in my experience, it’s usually something a tailor can fix.
Available in sizes 23 to 32.
5. Rag & Bone Nina High-Rise Skinny
Best Tall Style
Value: 17/20
Functionality: 19/20
Quality: 19/20
Aesthetics: 19/20
Fit: 19/20
TOTAL: 93/100
“As a lady of a certain height (okay, I’m 6'), Rag & Bone is one of the only brands that’s consistently long enough for me. I love that their high-waist pairs shape my waist area without being too restrictive,” Sarah tells us. These have an impressive 30-inch inseam and run true-to-size. If the deep indigo hue isn’t for you, you can certainly find these in a lighter shade. (And, FYI, they’re currently on sale.)
Available in sizes 23 to 34.
6. Universal Standard Seine
Best For Plus-Size
Value: 19/20
Functionality: 18/20
Quality: 20/20
Aesthetics: 19/20
Fit: 20/20
TOTAL: 96/100
Before you scroll past these oh-so-flattering pants because they’re white, just know that they also come in four additional shades, including black and the perfectly faded blue, and three different lengths (27-inch, 30-inch and 32-inch). Not to mention, Universal Standard is notorious for creating gorgeous plus-size pieces that actually cater to your curves—and then their website features each piece on 11 different models, so you can see how sizes 00 to 40 actually look on a human. “I’ll be perfectly honest, I had never thought of jeans as a comfortable piece of clothing,” admitted Alex. “I love these so much because they are an absolutely classic look while being comfortable enough to lounge in….every day!” While they do technically have a mid-rise, they have a comfy hug at the waistband, which can be worn just as high and low as you like.
Available in sizes 00 to 40.
7. Wranglers Wide Leg Utility Crop
Best For Big Thighs and a Small Waist
Value: 19/20
Functionality: 18/20
Quality: 18/20
Aesthetics: 18/20
Fit: 20/20
TOTAL: 93/100
“All the small waist, thick thigh gals out there need to be in these jeans,” says Catherine. She actually got a pair in her Nuuly subscription box and had to buy them because she finally found a pair of jeans that didn’t gape at the waist while actually flattering her “big thighs and big butt.” Her other favorite features? The super soft fabric that lasts a “crazy long time” and the length of the crop that allows Catherine to wear these with heeled mules or flats alike. Plus, they’re on major sale right now...
Available in sizes 24 to 32.
8. Just Black Talented Medium Wash Denim High Rise Skinny Jeans
Best Under-$100
Value: 18/20
Functionality: 19/20
Quality: 16/20
Aesthetics: 16/20
Fit: 19/20
TOTAL: 88/100
“They fit amazing, they’re stretchy but are both high quality and chic. The designs are always effortlessly cool and the price point is so great overall. Honestly, I think they’re better quality than JBrand (but so much more affordable),” says Alex. A JBrand dupe for just $62? Yeah, we’re sold on these basic skinnies that we’d totally wear with a T-shirt or a chunky sweater.
Available in sizes 24 to 31.
9. Agolde Pinch Waist High Rise Kick
Super-High-Rise
Value: 18/20
Functionality: 18/20
Quality: 20/20
Aesthetics: 19/20
Fit: 17/20
TOTAL: 92/100
If you really want to make sure your jeans hit well above your belly button, these Agolde classics feature an impressive 11.5-inch rise. Yeah, that’s nearly a foot of denim hugging your midsection. But even on my 5’2” frame, they aren’t overwhelming. In fact, they flatter my waist and haven’t ever pooched out in the stomach area. That said, you should know that Agolde runs extremely large; I’d suggest going a size or even two sizes down from what you normally wear. But FYI, they look great with boots and Converse alike, so you’ll definitely get a lot of wear out of these babies.
Available in sizes 23 to 32.
10. Tall 11" High-Rise Roadtripper Jeggings in Keele Wash: Knee-Rip Edition
Best Jeggings For Tall Gals
Value: 20/20
Functionality: 20/20
Quality: 20/20
Aesthetics: 20/20
Fit: 18/20
TOTAL: 98/100
“I’m 6’1”, so you can imagine it's really hard to find jeans. But after finding these Madewell jeggings, I now only wear these,” says Ali. She added that she can actually wear a crop top with these, without feeling over-exposed as she does with other so-called high-waisted styles. While she gave these a near-perfect score, Ali did dock two points for fit, noting that Madewell’s jeans do vary from style-to-style, so you can’t just buy your usual size and feel confident that it will fit just right. But they did pass the stranger test: “I've had people stop me on the street to ask me where I got them,” Ali noted.
Available in sizes 23 to 31.
11. AMO Ava Crop Indigo
Softest Denim
Value: 18/20
Functionality: 19/20
Quality: 20/20
Aesthetics: 20/20
Fit: 19/20
TOTAL: 96/100
I’ll be the first to admit that transitioning from my quarantine uniform of leggings and sweats back into rigid denim has been rather tough. Turns out, my body has a very short memory when it comes to waistbands that pinch and the hassle of button-front flies. That is, until I got my hands on these cropped jeans from AMO, which are woven from the softest cotton and rayon mix. Seriously, they don’t feel anything like rigid Levi’s. But still, these non-stretch wide-leg jeans will flatter your belly and your bum—while the slight A-line shape whittles your midsection. In my opinion, they’re worth every penny, especially if you can feel like you’re wearing sweats even when you’re dressed up.
Available in sizes 23 to 32.
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