I have an hourglass figure and I personally didn’t think high waisted jeans were for me until I got this pair from DL1961 (c/o). At first, I was completely unsure, but once I got them on, I was hooked. I am in love with this pair because they are ultra-stretchy, super comfortable, and ankle length, which I personally love. The reason I’m such a fan of ankle length is that I think they look great with boots and flats. The ultra stretch in the jeans hugs my curves, and the flat waist works well. Also, the pockets sit a bit higher, so I get some lift on my bootie.
The Best High Waisted Jeans for Your Body Type
Petite
When you have a petite build, high waisted jeans will make you appear taller. Skinny high-waisted jeans will seriously elongate your legs. Look for mid- to high-rise pants with a short inseam, like 29 inches. I’d suggest you stay away from ultra-high-waisted jeans and also don’t go for the wide-leg high-waisted, as they will make you look shorter. Stick with the high-waisted skinnies with a short inseam.
Pear
If you carry your weight in your lower body with wider hips, fuller thighs, and a bigger bootie, you’re probably pear-shaped. The best way to downplay a larger lower body is to choose mid-rise jeans in darker washes. You should wear lighter colors on top and darker colors on the bottom to balance the larger bottom. High waisted jeans can still work on you if you find a pair with a wider waistband to give you full coverage. Make sure you look for a pair with a flat front – no pleats or pockets, as they will add more bulk and draw unwanted attention. Unlike petite frames, pear-shaped girls should avoid ultra skinny jeans, and instead look for boyfriend jeans, straight fit, or slight bootcut jeans to try to balance out the wider lower half.
Tall
Ultra tall women, over 5’9”, may find they have issues with their pant length. Depending on your tall frame (are you also curvy or athletic or pear-shaped?), you can follow the recommendations for the other categories. You might love wide-leg, or you might look better in skinny jeans. Just make sure to find pants that are long enough – unless you’re trying to rock the ankle length.
Curvy
If you’re plus-size, you can find cute high waisted jeans. Some good places to consider: ASOS Curve, NYDJ Plus, and Forever 21 Plus are just a few of the brands that offer denim sizes over 14. When you’re searching for high waisted jeans, look for stretchy materials and contoured waistbands that fit your body. Just like for pear-shaped girls, opt for a straight fit or bootcut – too skinny will make you look very off-balanced.
Athletic
If you have an athletic body that’s straight up and down, high-waisted jeans will create curves for you. You can pull off almost any leg style – flare or wide leg will add curves to your frame. You can definitely rock embellishments, unique washes, pockets, and rips – as all those additions will create curves for you. If you feel like high-waisted jeans make your booty look flat, try brands like BLK DNM, with back pockets that sit higher. It will give you an instant butt lift.
Apple
Do you carry your weight in the middle? Then you are likely an apple shape. You’ll want to look for high-rise or ultra high-rise jeans to avoid the dreaded muffin top that often happens with lower rises. Since you probably have great legs, you can opt for skinny jeans and wear a blazer to balance out your heavier top.
Hourglass
If you are an hourglass shape, you will follow similar rules to the pear shape. Lean toward stretchy jeans that give with a contoured waistband for full coverage. Avoid wide-leg jeans and ultra skinny jeans – instead, look for straight, slightly tapered or boot-cut legs. They will hug you in all the right places and show off your fantastic curves.