I have been blobbing about on Instagram talking about high-waisted jeans on my Stories, (which are my new obsession because I can just empty out my brain through my mouth on there without having to type anything or speak in complete sentences), but I realise now that I really ought to be following up on here.
Because a) it’s a legit subject and b) not everyone is on Instagram, watching Stories, or watching every single one. WTF NOT???
So a goodly proportion of you will not know that I am in favour of moving onto high-waisted jeans. This is not for everyone, of course. It’s not a massively forgiving trend, although I don’t think you technically need a waist in order to wear them. I think the whole point is that high waisted jeans will create a waist for you where there isn’t quite one.
I’ve got a bit too much waist and left unchecked I look like a blow-up doll, which I don’t want, so I have for the last few years swathed myself in clothes that miss it my waist completely. But recently I have noted a slightly new aesthetic – brought to us mainly by French It girls – where the high-waisted jean can look good but also not ludicrously LOOK AT MY TITS AND ARSE.
Here are a few inspirational photos:
This is basically the new way to wear a pair of high waisted jeans – with a slightly oversized T-shirt and trainers. I love this photo.
This is slightly more gaggy Pinterest twattery but you get the idea – I mean NONE of us is going to look like this, but just gaze at it for a bit, get the idea of a new shape in your mind.
You could even do it like this – I have a pair of similar jeans from TopShop, just called “Straight” jeans – these – which I wear as nonchalantly as possible to cover up for the fact that they might just be monstrously unflattering. My husband certainly loathes them with a passion and has requested that maybe perhaps I wear them only when he is away filming?
I have these, too, which are more wearable, from H&M
If you’re willing to take a risk on something that might be fabulous or might just be a massive fucking waste of time, have a look at these Sezane Mom Jeans. I ordered a pair that I thought looked promising called Le Brut Sexy, which were nightmarish – possibly actually just too big but I just flung them back in the box and sent them back.
Anyway I’m not arsed about trying these Mom Jeans because I’m happy now with my high waisters now but if you feel like going on a bit of a journey, go for it.
I mean LOOK at the tittays on this girl
I mean the best thing to do, always, is get yourself to bloody Selfridges one day – make a trip of it – go to their massive denim hall, (not on the weekend), collar some girl and just try on 40 different pairs.
But do have a crack at this if you think you might even vaguely like it. Because this is firmly a direction in which we’re going now so you might as well get used to it. Like all new jean phenomenon (skinnies, boyfriends) they take a lot of getting used to – and it’s a numbers game, you just have to try on as many as you can stand until you find something you like.
Next do a couple of good pairs of straight leg/cigarette jeans which are not high high-waisted but high enough I reckon ( well, I’m happy with them and my hubby thinks my arse looks good in them 😂)
Does this mean the end of the muffin top? Esther, you are a wonder!
YES THANK GOD you’ve come to this conclusion!! Speaking as someone who prefers always to be winched in around the hips and stomach (I’d be right at home in the “repressive” corset era) I won’t consider any other type of jean now. They hold in the spare tyre, give you better posture and give you a lovely smooth streamlined silhouette- if only underneath a looser top if you don’t want to look like Jessica Rabbit. High waisted jeans (and shorts and skirts and leggings) are THE BALLS and your faves could neva.
Honestly, high waisted jeans are a revelation to me! No more pulling jeans up all day long, my pathetic excuse for an arse is no longer falling out the back of my jeans.
My ideal ones have no front pockets.
When wearing mine two people commented to say I had long legs- I’m 5,5 (at a push) so I would say they can give that appearance.
Still haunted by this prediction on Man Repeller this summer… (the comeback of low-rise jeans. NOOOOOOO)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXqFqmMDnuE/?taken-by=manrepeller
yeah but Aaf if it’s breaking on ManRepeller we won’t have to actually contemplate this for about 18 months
Ignore the fact that it’s “co-founded” by a Kardashian – and also the tremendously ripped and embellished items on offer (why??) and look at Good American Good Cuts or Good Straight. I got them in the US and they are SO COMFORTABLE and reassuringly high waisted without being peculiar. And flattering (well, I think so…) I think Selfridges has them and online from the GA website. You need to go for about 3 sizes (or more) smaller than normal to take into account American sizing and also that they are designed for the mahoosively bottomed market so it’s rather pleasing to slip neatly into a size 4 (or even 2!). Not cheap mind.
I love them jeans too and same here my husband hates them and ask me to wear only in the house ! It’s so comfortable and it’s my favourite jeans at the moment. Skinny do looks good on you but it’s so uncomfortable! What size is your one from top shop ? Xxx
Preaching to the converted, I’ve been high-waisting for years (maybe I started the trend? Something to think about) as I have a small waist but a stomach area that hasn’t forgiven me for growing people in it, and I actually find them really flattering if you get the right ones. I think the straight, relaxed kind have a a bit of a nineties grungy vibe that I like.
Selfridges all the way. It takes ages and is expensive but think Cost Per Wear. I would also advise having them altered there. You THINK you will do it locally but one look at my bedroom chair would tell you otherwise.
And another thought…my husband begged me to stop wearing Zara jeans because they made my arse look even more tragically flat than it does already (my words, not his, he was more diplomatic). Hudsons all the way for me now.
I like the no muffin top idea, HOWEVER… I don’t think these suit everyone, me included! They are as you’ve said, quite unforgiving on those of us with short pudgy legs and generous arses. The clue is in the name of some of these cuts ‘mom’ jeans for e.g. Tailored for the slim, teenage 20-something customer who for some reason want to make themselves look more dowdy and frumpy and ‘mom’-ish- is it an ironic, 80’s throwback vibe? I kinda don’t get it! Why would you want to give yourself a camel-toe and make your perfectly nice bottom look more expansive?! I’ve got small tits, and smallish waist with wide hips and short, fairly sturdy legs- i know these will look fucking dreadful on me as they’ll accentuate all the wrong things!
I’m with you on the idea to take yourself to selfridges or elsewhere and take your time choosing jeans that work on you. Jeans are my nemesis tbh, I didn’t wear them at all during my teens as on far too many occasions I found myself on the brink of tears in the changing rooms of topshop et al, red and sweating with shame at being unable to get the fucking things anywhere past my knees, even in the biggest sizes! (I’m a size 12-14 btw, so pretty average, I was poss smaller back then too, pre kids and all that) As a grownup, I’ve found jeans that suit my shape, and generally I think unless you’re a model or a total clothes- horse then you should be good to yourself and stick with what works on you, regardless of trends. By all means try stuff out, but don’t be surprised or beat yourself up too much if the lastest ‘in’ cut makes you look like a pudding.
Sorry for rambling- I’m not the biggest Jeans fan anyway, can you tell?!😅
I am in exactly the same camp Sarah. What jeans suit you? The only ones I can bring myself to wear are dark high-waisted skinnies of nearly 100% Elastane/Lycra content, covered in a long top to completely (I like to believe) disguise my bottom. I was a teenager during the 501s era. Bad timing.
Ugh, I hear you- jeans with zero stretch or give are no friend to the pear-shaped among us! Levi’s, g-star, ANYTHING from topshop in the 90’s😒.
I’ve had some success (thanks to an Esther recommendation) with the gap ‘girlfriend’ jean, very comfy, slight stretch denim but not constricting in any way- think you need to try them on and decide though, as different washes often come up slightly differently in cut/sizing (as is often the way with gap). Levi’s are better these days in terms of choice I think. I really like M&s ‘jeggings’ as well, in black, they seem to really work on me and are only about £30 a pair, wash fantastically well too I.e don’t fade to shit! X
I wear the same! Whenever I’m wearing jeans there’s a little voice inside my head saying “except but they’re actually jeggings from M&S”. Next also do good jeggings for a similar price. I saw the GAP girlfriend jean recommendation too. Very helpful to hear they worked for you – I’m definitely going to try them. I’ve been waiting for spring to make the plunge as I’m already freezing and eyeing my Uggs/woolly black tights/all body snowsuits.
I’m 5’4″, take a 28″ inseam, and am a US size 0-to-4 in tops (no boobs, gradually expanding waistline) and US size 6 (or larger) in bottoms- the very definition of short and pearshaped. I love ASOS Farleigh jeans or Weekday Super High Waist Body jeans in a dark wash with a jumper that hits at high hip and/or a tucked-in flannel shirt and/or a sharp-shouldered blazer. It looks nice, I swear! Kind of vintage and pinup-y, rather than 90s grunge-y cool.
Do you tuck your tops in all the way around?? I’m finding it hard to imagine wearing high waisted but that’s probably because jeans were so stupidly low-rise when I was a teenager. I’m worried my bum will look really long?!
Also – Esther, is the Sezane boy shirt washable? I think you were wearing it on Stories… can’t see any washing instructions on their website but maybe because I was so distracted by the super seksay models I totally glazed over.
Verity no dry clean only 🙁 yes I tuck my tops in all the way round – your bum is supposed to look long? I know, I know – it’s just a new aesthetic, takes a while to get used to
Is not to tuck in to miss the point entirely? I’m a happy convert to high waisters, keeping the tum cosily encased, but when I tuck something in I feel weirdly 80s and not sure I can pull it off….
Clare do as you will! tucking in all the way around is not for one and all x
I’m short waisted with wide hips is this a trend I might have to skip? I really like the look on others.
Not sure about them. Esther you have lost a lot of weight recently so you look fab in them … but for those of us who carry some weight around their tum and arse … it’s going to just scream out FAT FAT FAT. I’m afraid I’m in the long waisted skinnies with an elasticated waist. Tragic I know but comfy for sitting in the office as long as I wear a decent shirt or long top.
Julie one of the KEYS to life is to know when to just let a trend pass you by, like a piece of challenging-looking sushi on a conveyor belt. No ma’am – not for me…
Ha ha or what she said!
You are so right Esther. I just panicked. It’s going, going, gone.
I hear what you are saying and I wear similar to you a lot of the time as well, but I remember it took me a while to get into wearing skinnies as I felt they would be unflattering for me – soon everyone was in them and they suddenly seemed “right” for lots of shapes and sizes. Things do move on and it’s hard to think about not wearing them now… so it’s just about giving it a try. I’m not terribly slender through the hips/thighs these days – I’m hourglass and eating crisps as I write this – but I think you can look cool without necessarily dressing to minimise your figure if that makes sense, as long as you feel good and comfortable in what you’re wearing.
I’m scared of high waisted jeans for all the reasons mentioned above – teen in the era of 501s (WHITE 501s, no less). So I’ll sit out till this becomes ubiquitous in my usual late-adopter style. I do miss my maternity jeans though, with that massive stretchy panel – so, so comfy and warm. Someone should make these for non-pregnant people.
can i just check the footwear situation? What do you wear on your feet with these weird new jeans?! The pics I’ve seen the models are suspiciously barefoot… And it’s now October.
I’m still wedded to Uniqlo skinnies (yes, yes, I know….) because I’m tall and hourglass and long legged and no that’s not a humble brag and Uniqlo jeans are actually long enough and stay long enough. They’re great with sandals/ Cons/ boots. But they sit too low for my post 2 babies mum tum to be a long term solution.
HWJ are theoretically very appealing but I don’t want to look even more 90210 than necessary.
https://tinyurl.com/y8olbse5
I’m afraid 90210 is exactly what we’re going for – I wear mine with Nike Internationalists or Nike Air Force 1s. Like I said, not a look for everyone…
Long time lurker first time poster who can’t quite work out how to reply to the commenter suggesting Next jeans but OMG those cracked it for me. I got the ‘Slim’ fit, described as mid-rise but as I’m a short-arse they actually, you know, hit my waist rather than ending up under my boobs? They’ve got quite a high stretch so are flattering on the midriff and bum, but aren’t too wide on the legs. And they’re £25 – TWENTAY-FAYVE PUNDHS! Basically a cheaper version of the ridiculously seksay Sezane ones. And this has made me v happy on a crap day, so thank you.
Katherine I’m so pleased these worked out for you! Next jeans FTW – apparently?!? xxx
Yes, who knew?! The denim isn’t quite the same quality but as I swish by in my Spiker capsule gear (thank you Esther!) and mad earrings no-one will ever notice
MAD EARRINGS FTW
Please can we have a link to the Next jeans?
Here you go! http://www.next.co.uk/g772080s5#158612
I also tried these from John Rocha which are slightly higher waisted and MUCH nicer than they look in the photos http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_120010171052_-1
I LOVE these comments as much as the original posts especially Sarah’s comment about looking like a pudding (at 5″2 this is a distinct possibility for me..). The m&s jegging things are good and cheap. Made me feel better when I ripped them on a pedal trying to teach son 1 how to ride a bike.😕
So, prompted by this post and by the ongoing irritation that is my jeans drawer, (ffs how can I have NO jeans that work?!) I took myself off to Selfridges denim department today to enjoy some child free time. OMG it was lovely! I put myself entirely in the hands of a lovely assistant who brought me about 125 pairs to try and enthusiastically told me how to wear them. Like I said above, I’m still wedded to the Uniqlo skinnies so she very gently introduced me to higher waisted, boyfriend/girlfriend fit. Cannot recommend highly enough. Just allow time.
In the end, I didn’t buy the beautiful high waisted AG Isabelle cropped pair, which had a brilliant Karen Carpenter meets art teacher vibe. And once I got my eye in, I loved the tucked in look. At £245, with a child’s birthday and Christmas immanent, I just couldn’t. BUT, I now know what I’m looking for. So Esther, thanks for pushing my very conservative style boundaries.
On another topic, Uniqlo is breaking my heart at the moment. I used to love it, but their shit website is like Ikea – forces you to go to their hot, messy, crowded, queue-addled stores which make me go postal. Sad.
So sad. But Emily thank you very much for this inspirational and instructive comment
How about these from asos http://www.asos.com/bershka/bershka-cigarette-jean/prd/8597456?clr=darkblue&cid=3630&pgesize=31&pge=0&totalstyles=31&gridsize=3&gridrow=2&gridcolumn=1
Only £22 so I bought a pair for fat days and smaller pair for less fat days. Not too high waisted, flattering slim cut, look pretty decent from behind
yeah those look good
Thank you to all the M&S jegging-recommenders; I have just been in for the first time in aeons and tried on some of their jeans. I didn’t leave with jeggings, though I think perhaps I should have as they are remarkably flattering even on the, ahem, sturdier woman, but did spend a whopping £15 on a ‘slim’ pair which should plug a longstanding gap, and at FIFTEEN POUNDS if they go baggy then who cares?
That’s so much better than £90 at an outlet shop on Levis which I dislike but wear faute de mieux (though thanks to this column have discovered they are at their best rolled at ankle and might be boyfriend jeans). And the mid rise on the M&S is like a training jean for high waisters.
Yay Spikers.
I am still lurking on here trying to decide if I have it in me to leave my jeggings behind. Just wanted to comment that Next also do great jegging-style jeans at a reasonable price and from several of these posts they seem to be coming through as a great option for test-driving a new style due to their range/prices. SO CHEAP.
AG Farrah skinny jeans are fab! I was skeptical of the high waisted trend, especially post baby, but they are surprisingly great!
Thanks Nikki I will have a look at these x