Vogue ’s Ultimate Guide to the Best High-Waist Jeans - Yahoo Lifestyle
The best high-waisted jeans are those you feel most confident in—every woman knows a less-than-comfortable pair comes with debilitating effects. Pinches and gaps—no, thank you. When a high-rise hits just right, the rest of your outfit sings, whether you're styling in a waist-skimming crop, French-tucking a crisp button-up, or opting for a fitted bodysuit or tee.
Of course, the best high-waisted jeans will vary in wash, fabrication, and silhouette—it's about personal preference and the look you aim to embody when a denim mood strikes. Timeless styles like straight-legs and skinnies sans distressing are the most versatile in medium-blue tones and well-suited to dressed-down days and elevated moments alike. Flares and crops are popular classics, too—the former looks great in deeper washes, and the latter helps to spotlight your footwear. Laidback ease is the overarching tone guiding trendier high-rise jeans this season, with baggy legs as the silhouette du jour.
When it comes to fit and fabric, a hint of stretch adds comfort. On the other hand, rigid cotton is beloved for its structure, becoming perfectly lived-in, wear after wear—this rings especially true in vintage-inspired cuts like mom jeans and roomier straight-legs. There's also a tremendous shift toward more sustainable production among many denim brands. Recycled fibers, eco-friendly wash, and dying techniques, and ethical working conditions are just a few ways denim makers continue to improve their products and standards. Without further ado, Vogue's edit of the best high-waisted jeans currently on the market.
Straight
High-waisted straight-leg jeans are the epitome of classic denim. Lighter hues and slightly roomier legs exude vintage-inspired style, while inkier tones and simmer fits look polished with the potential to skew dressy.
A.P.C. New Sailor high-rise cropped straight-leg jeans
$235.00, MATCHESFASHION.COM
Brock Collection Wright high-rise straight-leg jeans
$475.00, MODA OPERANDI
Slverlake Hero straight-leg jeans
$259.00, THE WEBSTER
Good American Good '90s Icon straight jeans
$149.00, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
Goldsign the Martin ultra high-rise jeans
$295.00, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
Totême high-rise cropped straight-leg jeans
$262.00, MATCHESFASHION.COM
Cropped
Whether you're petite or want all eyes on your shoes, cropped high-waisted jeans are a casual staple. Pair yours with flats or slides on your most leisurely days and heeled boots or stilettos when dialing things up.
Tu es mon Tresor Emerald rigid high-rise cropped straight-leg boyfriend jeans
$345.00, MODA OPERANDI
Everlane the Way High jean
$88.00, EVERLANE
Hudson Remi high-rise straight cropped jeans
$205.00, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
Ganni high-rise cropped flared jeans
$325.00, MATCHESFASHION.COM
Rag & Bone Maya high-rise crop flare
$225.00, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
The Row Lesley cropped straight-leg jeans
$590.00, MATCHESFASHION.COM
Skinny
Do skinny jeans ever really go out of style? Quick answer: No. For maximum freshness, look to ultra-clean lines, rigid fabrics, or throwback features like pale and acid washes.
Re/Done 90s high-rise skinny jeans
$265.00, NET-A-PORTER
L'Agence Marguerite cropped high-rise skinny jeans
$275.00, NET-A-PORTER
Balenciaga high-waisted skinny jeans
$625.00, FARFETCH
Gap Sky high-rise universal jegging with secret smoothing pockets
$60.00, GAP
Re/Done 90s comfort stretch high-rise ankle crop skinny jeans
$260.00, RE/DONE
The Attico high-waist slim-fit jeans
$387.00, FARFETCH
Baggy
Perhaps it's a response to comfort fashion ruling the past year, but baggy jeans are the It silhouette of 2021. Whether you go the ultra-relaxed route with a wide leg that pools around your ankles or take a sleeker approach via a billowing trouser or slouchy straight-leg, the key is offsetting the volume with a fitted or polished piece on top.
& Other Stories Precious Cut jeans
$99.00, & OTHER STORIES
Off-White main denim Cool baggy jeans
$615.00, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
Frame Le Baggy Palazzo high-rise flare jeans
$278.00, FRAME
Levi's high loose jeans
$108.00, LEVI'S
Citizens of Humanity Eva stretch high-rise relaxed baggy straight-leg jeans
$228.00, MODA OPERANDI
Samaria Leah Virgo vintage Levi's with zodiac print
$130.00, SAMARIA LEAH
Flared
With a decidedly '70s feel, high-waisted flare jeans can go one of two ways: Tailored and sophisticated or chilled-out and casual. When aiming for the former, seek out a dark or medium-blue wash without distressing. To lean into the season's current surfer vibe, sun-soaked washes, gentle distressing, or a two-tone design will hit the nail on the head.
Chloé braided high-rise flared jeans
$895.00, NET-A-PORTER
Paige Genevieve high-waist flare jeans
$229.00, NORDSTROM
Nili Lotan Celia flared-leg jeans
$395.00, MATCHESFASHION.COM
Celine Jane flared jeans
$890.00, CELINE
JW Anderson high-rise flared jeans
$465.00, MYTHERESA
Veronica Beard Beverly high-rise jeans
$300.00, NET-A-PORTER
White
Synonymous with warm-weather locales and easy summer living, high-waisted white jeans look best with nautical knits, breezy tops, and simple tanks. For a 2021 take on white or creamier shades of denim, try a roomy barrel or slouchy straight leg. In favor of timelessness? You can't fail in a clean wide-leg or slim pleated style.
Victoria Beckham Alina high-rise flared jeans
$480.00, MATCHESFASHION.COM
Bottega Veneta high-rise straight jeans
$890.00, MYTHERESA
Citizens of Humanity Calista high-rise tapered jeans
$230.00, NET-A-PORTER
Erdem x Universal Standard Hana patchwork jeans
$148.00, UNIVERSAL STANDARD
Slvrlake Beatnik high-rise skinny jeans
$260.00, NET-A-PORTER
Warp + Weft NCE Plus wide-leg
$98.00, VERISHOP
Black
The ultimate evening jean is unquestionably black, whether you prefer a slim-straight, cropped, or boyfriend silhouette. Washes range from the blackest black to faded hues that border on charcoal—we're partial to small details like top-stitching or brushed hardware for extra style points.
Mother high-waisted Rider Skimp jeans
$198.00, MOTHER
Madewell the perfect vintage ankle jean
$128.00, MADEWELL
Isabel Marant Dilali high-rise straight-leg cropped jeans
$415.00, MATCHESFASHION.COM
Khaite Isabella rigid high-rise straight-leg jeans
$380.00, KHAITE
Still Here poppy stitch Tate cropped straight-leg jeans
$320.00, BERGDORF GOODMAN
Acne Studios Mece high-rise cropped straight-leg jeans
$290.00, MATCHESFASHION.COM
Distressed
Distressing can easily skew sloppy, but if you're discerning, the result reads anything but. Like baggy jeans, high-waisted distressed jeans appear infinitely more polished when paired with the right pieces. Think trim blazers, body-skimming knits, and crisp shirting for a stylish offset.
Grlfrnd Isabeli distressed jeans
$248.00, MYTHERESA
Favorite Daughter the Jordie super high-rise straight
$198.00, VERISHOP
Gucci ripped eco-washed organic denim pant
$890.00, GUCCI
Jonathan Simkhai Standard Eliot high-rise boyfriend jeans
$275.00, NEIMAN MARCUS
Khaite Danielle distressed high-rise straight-leg jeans
$420.00, MODA OPERANDI
R13 distressed boyfriend jeans
$445.00, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
Criss-Cross
Though the criss-cross jean trend skews modern, it's officially a must-have in any denim wardrobe. Maintain a timeless look by opting for a clean, high-rise pair sans distressing, whether you're for a true blue, charcoal, or a faded wash à la the '90s.