What we call the rise
The rise is the distance between the crotch and the top of the waistband. It determines where the jeans sit on your body. Two pairs of jeans with the same cut, one high-waisted and the other low-waisted, will create two very different silhouettes.
It's also the most underestimated adjustment. Many people change the cut when it was the rise that wasn't suitable for them.
High-waisted jeans
The waistband sits at or near the natural waist. This is currently the most popular rise. It visually elongates the leg, stays in place when you move, and pairs well with a tucked-in or slightly cropped top.
It's particularly suitable if you want jeans that stay put all day, or if you like to emphasize your waist.
Mid-rise jeans
The waistband sits between the hip and the natural waist. This is the compromise, and it's often the easiest rise to wear daily. It slips under both long and short tops, without any coordination effort.
If you don't know where to start, start here.
Low-rise jeans
The waistband sits on the hips. This is a stylish rise that has made a comeback in recent seasons. It requires a bit more attention when choosing a top, and a precise fit at the hips to remain comfortable when sitting.
How to decide
Three quick questions.
Where do you want the jeans to sit? At the waist, in between, or on the hips. This is a comfort preference before it's a style question.
What do you wear over them? A tucked-in top calls for a high waist. A long top works better with a mid-rise or low-rise.
Do you sit for long periods? A higher rise generally remains more stable throughout the day.
The rise can then be freely combined with the cut. A high waist exists in straight, skinny, flared, and wide leg. These are two separate decisions, and that's good news: you can adjust one without giving up the other.
How to recognize a rise without trying it on
There's a simple indicator, and it doesn't require a measuring tape. Look at where the top of the waistband sits in relation to the belly button.
Above the belly button, it's a high rise. At the belly button level or just below, it's a mid-rise. Significantly below the belly button, on the hip bone, it's a low rise.
On a product sheet, the information is not always named this way. Rely on the worn photo if available, and on the cut: jeans described as high-waisted will place the waistband at the natural waist, regardless of the brand.
The rise changes where the jeans will cinch
This is the point people often discover too late. Jeans don't cinch in the same place depending on their rise, because the waistband doesn't rest on the same part of the body.
A high waist rests on the waist, where the circumference is narrowest. It holds well, but it requires the waist measurement to be accurate, otherwise it gaps in the back or compresses when sitting.
A low waist rests on the hips, where the circumference is wider. The hip measurement becomes crucial. A low waist that's too tight at the hips will be uncomfortable even if the waist measurement is perfect.
A mid-rise distributes the support between the two. This is one of the reasons why it suits the most people.
Rise and cut: two independent adjustments
A common mistake is to believe that a rise dictates a cut. This is not the case. In our assortment, the high waist is available in straight leg as well as wide leg, skinny, or flared.
This means that if you like a pair of jeans but they don't suit you, you don't necessarily have to change the cut. Sometimes it's enough to keep the cut and change the rise, or vice versa. This is the kind of check that takes two minutes in the fitting room and avoids a return.
What the rise changes in your wardrobe
The rise mainly influences the choice of top.
A high waist pairs with a tucked-in, short, or cropped top. It defines the silhouette and highlights the waist.
A mid-rise accepts almost everything, from a long sweater to a tucked-in top. It's the most flexible to style when the wardrobe is varied.
A low waist requires a shorter or fitted top, otherwise the line gets lost. It works well with wide cuts, where the contrast between the volume of the bottom and the fitted top creates the desired effect.
Frequently asked questions
Which rise makes the leg look longest? The high waist, generally, especially with a straight or flared leg.
Does the rise change the size to order? Not directly, but it shifts the adjustment point. For a high waist, rely on your waist measurement. For a low waist, on your hip measurement.
Can you have a comfortable high waist? Yes. The fabric composition and the ease at the hips matter more than the height itself.
Which rise should I choose if I sit all day? The mid-rise is generally the most comfortable compromise. A high waist with some stretch also works very well.
Is the low waist really coming back? It has reappeared in recent seasons, especially on wide cuts. That said, mid-rise and high-rise remain the most popular with us.
