The best high-waisted jeans in every style, starting at $35
Jeans are a wardrobe staple that will always be in your outfit rotation, and for good reason. They’re easy to dress up and down, they can be extremely comfy, and they’re just easy to wear. While there are many styles of jeans available, high-waisted jeans are the undeniable winner, despite low-rise jeans coming back in the spotlight (cringe). High-waisted jeans are flattering for every body type, go with every type of top (hello crop-tops!), and are the most fuss-free style since you don’t have to worry about accidentally showing some extra skin. Because of that, we’ve decided to round up our all-time favorite high-waisted jeans, categorized by silhouette and body type. From skinny and boyfriend jeans to the best plus-size jeans and ones best suited for petites, here’s our list of A-class high-waisted denim we always go back to.
The Best High-Waisted Jeans of 2020:
1Best High-Waisted Mom Jeans: AE Highest Waist Stretch Mom Jean
For all of the tight, restrictive skinny jean options out there, we love the comeback of comfy-casual, slightly baggy Mom jeans. This pair feature’s American Eagle’s highest rise, plus a tapered, ankle-skimming fit. These are slim through the top and relaxed through the leg with the perfect blend of structure and stretch that makes them great for all-day wear.
2Best High-Waisted Black Jeans: Warp + Weft PHL Slim Bootcut in Black
Our one pet peeve about black jeans is that their color can easily become faded after a few good washes, but not this pair. Warp + Weft’s sustainable fabric is not only made out of recycled denim, plastic, and cotton, but it uses a true black wash that keeps its color. We’re obsessed with this vintage-inspired slim bootcut option that comes in both regular and plus sizes and features cool exposed silver buttons. It’s extremely flattering on all body types.
3Best High-Waisted White Jeans: Everlane The High Rise Skinny Jean
We’re re-writing the rule that you can’t wear white jeans after Labor Day and storing these in out closets for year-round use. The bone color is the perfect toned-down shade of white and designed specifically not to be see-through. There’s just a touch of stretch in this high-waisted pair for comfort, but they’ll otherwise hold you in for a sleek fit.
4Best High-Waisted Jeans With Stretch: LOFT Chewed Hem High Waist Skinny Jeans
LOFT is known for its wonderfully comfortable loungewear, and it has adopted some of the same feel-good principles with these soft, stretchy jeans. The fabric features 1% Spandex for a body-responsive stretch that maintains its shape over time and wear.
5Best Petite High-Waisted Jeans: Madewell Petite Roadtripper Crop Jeans
Petite ladies need not worry about high-waisted jeans swallowing them up. This Madewell pair has a flattering 24-inch inseam and a cropped hem that hits just above the ankle for perfect proportioning. We love that these have been road-trip tested—meaning their lightweight and stretchy enough to still be comfortable in hours-long car rides.
6Best High-Waisted Skinny Jeans: J. Crew 9″ High-Rise Toothpick Jean
These classic jeans will go with everything in your closet and can easily be dressed up or down with a sharp blazer or a pair of comfy sneakers. They have a 9″ front rise which sits right above the bellybutton; they come in classic, petite, and tall fits; and they’re available in sizes 23-37.
7Best Plus Size High-Waisted Jeans: Universal Standard Marne Bootcut Jeans
When it comes to fashion brands, Universal Standard is the gold standard for size inclusivity. Their products go up to a size 40, and the tall and petite sizes give shoppers a ton of options.
8Best Boyfriend High-Waisted Jeans: Gap Mid Rise Boyfriend Jeans with Raw Hem
Honestly, Gap’s denim is incredibly underrated. The quality is top-notch, the comfort is beyond, and the styles fit as advertised. We love this pair of laid-back distressed jeans with the slightly frayed hem—and they’re begging you to go out and have fun in them.
9Best Wide-Leg High-Waisted Jeans: Everlane The Wide Leg Jean
At HelloGiggles, we love Everlane, not just for its transparent pricing and cool styles, but also for its sustainability efforts. Style, attainable prices, and the environment—love! Our Sr. Fashion Editor owns this pair and wears them at least once a week. They’re stylish, laid-back (but can also be dressed up), and super comfortable. Wide-legged styles also mean you get a nice fresh breeze run up your calves ever once in a while, which is always a blessing on during those warmer days.
10Best High-Waisted Bootcut Jeans: MOTHER The Tripper High Waist Crop Bootcut Jeans
These bootcut jeans are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do… cheesy, but true. This silhouette is the ultimate cool-girl fit for its laid-back style and universally flattering fit. Also, all of MOTHER’s jeans are made in the U.S., so if you’re trying to buy more local, you can feel good about this pair.
11Best High-Waisted Jeggings: AE 360 Ne(x)t Level Highest Waist Jegging
If you’re looking for jeans that feel more like leggings, well, jeggings it is! This comfy pair runs from sizes 00-24, are super stretchy, and hug the body in all the right places to help give you a great look without sacrificing comfort. In fact, these may very well replace your pajamas.
