January 24, 2008...2:17 am
High Waist Jeans: Love’Em or Hate’Em
A recent e-mail from ShopBop and Neiman Marcus set off a firestorm of e-mails between myself and my friends. The topic of these e-mails centered around what seems to be the new trend of high waist jeans and whether we liked the trend or not. When I say high waist jeans I mean the super high rise jeans that come way up past the belly button, not the mid-rise jeans that are just a tad higher than the super low rise jeans, see the pictures below.
The reviews were mixed among my friends, some like the look and some hate it. I lean towards the “hate it” side. I think they are hideous and unflattering on everyone including the anorexic models they are putting them on in an attempt to sell them to the general public.
I know that fashion is a swinging pendulum and the designers like to go from one extreme to another and these high rise jeans are just the designers rebelling against the super low jeans we have been sporting. But seriously, these jeans will just be doing a dis-service to the general public, fooling women into thinking they will look good in them and also traumatizing us by having to look at them. I am afraid these new high waist jeans if not worn properly will spawn the dreaded and disgusted camel toe, something we should all avoid at all costs! Plus, they make your bottom look a mile long and who wants a mile long bottom!
Fashion is not always pretty and my advice to you this season is to stick with your low to mid rise jeans and let the models on the runway wear the high waist jeans. What do you think? Will you wear them? Please leave me a comment with your thoughts on the high waist jean look.
36 Comments
January 24, 2008 at 2:25 am
I am with you …High waisted jeans are horrible! I don’t think they flatter anyone.
January 24, 2008 at 6:48 am
if they look that awful on people with perfect, amazing bodies, what will they look like on ordinary people?
i am no so much a fan.
January 24, 2008 at 7:24 am
Yuk! Flashbacks to my childhood. Now all I need are some striped toe socks…
January 24, 2008 at 8:01 am
As a male who generally thinks more clothing on women is a good thing, I have to say those are particularly repulsive, some middle ground between showing your butt and almost negating the need for a shirt would be nice…
January 24, 2008 at 10:57 am
i think certain styles of the pants look ok on certain body types.
but that tends to be the case with everything that is “stylish.” certain people can pull it off (i.e., audrey hepburn in skinny pants) and others shouldn’t try (the olsen twins in trapeze dresses.)
January 24, 2008 at 2:54 pm
They make these in a water-proof verison, they are called “waders”, fishermen wear them.
January 24, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Two words…. Mom Jeans. Please enjoy this piece from SNL that explains why I don’t care for this style of jeans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1Ai6Ch2R7E
January 24, 2008 at 3:19 pm
The You Tube video posted by Allie is so funny and worth checking out! It will make you laugh!
January 24, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Very interesting discussion. I would say that everything in fashion depends on the cut, the fabric and the body wearing them. As a short person, I would wear them because they elongate the leg, as shown in the first photo you have from NM. The other photos in your post today? Ugh, ugh, ugh!
January 24, 2008 at 3:45 pm
The fashion world only has to promote them for long enough with celebs & models wearing them, then like the usual flock of mindless sheep that are overly concerned with what everyone thinks of what they wear, the multitudes will follow….. Like the young ones that wear their boxer shorts sticking out the top of their trousers & think it’s cool.
Doesn’t matter what a fashion looks like, good or disgusting, the fashion concious will wear it so as not to be uncool. Give it time & they will be everywhere.
January 24, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Is it just me, or does Jessica Simpson look like a fat midget on stilts?
January 24, 2008 at 9:10 pm
That is a good way to describe how Jessica Simpson looks in her high waist jeans!
January 24, 2008 at 9:19 pm
i read somewhere that higher rise pants are another option for those women who realized they had a muffin top.
but these are just way too far.
and JGS, i agree with you!
January 24, 2008 at 9:45 pm
it’s just the seventies all over again. seriously can we not come up with our own generations style? really i only think the purple ones (on Fergie?) are even remotely flattering, but they’re skinny and on Fergie!! and all the other ones TOTALLY look like mom jeans. ugh.
January 24, 2008 at 11:02 pm
they dont look that comfortable either…
January 25, 2008 at 2:58 am
Oh, come on. I’ve been waiting for the days they would go back to the /normal/ waisted jeans of about five years ago. You know, the kind where they’re not low rise, or mid cut, or shallow crotch or whatever they are these days. No, I’m talking about jeans that are at your waist. Plain, simple ol’ jeans. I think they look the best on the widest range of people, and I miss them; you can’t find them outside of salvation army.
No: http://www.piercemattie.com/fashionprdivision/low_cut_waist_jeans.jpg
Good!: http://serafinablog.com/petitefashion/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/gorgeous_fit_back.png
Too far!: http://www.dailydenim.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/cheapmonday.jpg
January 25, 2008 at 3:13 am
Bleh…one of the few fashions from the 80s that can STAY in the 80s.
January 25, 2008 at 4:32 am
Ugly, wretched aspect of “retro”… Did someone say “Kitty” from “That 70’s show”?
January 25, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Note that they show no pictures of models sitting down. That’s why low-rise jeans are nice–they look normal while standing and don’t damage internal organs while sitting. You can’t have something that high-waisted that a) doesn’t look really stupid, b) fits, and c) doesn’t hurt if you’re not standing in exactly one pose.
January 26, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Oh dear Lord, no!
I remember these things from grade school. Even as a flat-chested twig these pants look awful. Reciently, my mom fount a pair lurking in the back of some storage in her closet and told me I HAD to see if they fit… they did and oh yeah, I couldn’t breathe. So if you’re going on an O2-starvation-diet to decrese brain cell activity to match Ms. Simpson up there, go get a pair! Ugh.
January 27, 2008 at 3:15 am
I had been waiting for this old fashion jeans to come back. It’s so disgusting to see women with low-waisted jeans showing their so unflattering butt cracks. I disagree with those calling it “old grandma pants”, it depends who wears it and how you carry yourself. These jeans are a lot more decent than the low waist ones that ruined the fashioned industry after the 80’s.
January 27, 2008 at 4:15 am
Personally, as a girl who loves fashion. I think they are very cute and stylish. Everyone just wears the same old low jeans and these ad variety to your jean drawer!! I wear them and get tons of compliments. I love my high waist skinnys.
January 27, 2008 at 4:42 am
Wait till this trend hits Target and Wal-Mart, and then trickles down to the ten-year olds! We’re in trouble.
I won’t wear them ever. That’s a promise. They look like sailor pants. But you bring up a good point - we have to look at others wearing them.
January 27, 2008 at 5:23 pm
The really terrible thing that occurs with these pants is not cameltoe…it is the phenomenon known as ‘Front-Butt’! My work uniform over the summer included a pair of pants in this style, and I couldn’t bend at the waist at all, not to mention the mysterious materialization of a paunch at the front of your pants doing a good imitation of your butt, which has now elongated to at least a mile on the back.
January 27, 2008 at 10:42 pm
It is good to see that there a few people who like the trend, I was beginning to worry that all the stores would be stuck with them and as a former retailer it is never good to be stuck with merchandise that no one will buy even at 75% off. However, I think overall this trend will not catch on and be super popular.
January 28, 2008 at 1:42 am
The biggest problem is that the ratio of big sized women are higher than those who have nice figures in which they can flaunt themselves wearing the high-waisted jeans. So what ends up with these heavy set women is wear low rise jeans and see all those overhanging “thing” in the middle. It is a complete eye sore. Just because everybody sees that low rise is most welcome in fashion, they didn’t realize that it is unflattering to a higher percentage of women wearing it. Actually, the normal waist jeans is the best. I agree with Zeke and Natalie, normal waist is the best.
January 28, 2008 at 2:22 am
Gosh no, those things look horrid! If the thinnest high models can’t make them look lovely, then what chance do the common folk have?
A frightening thought: with the pendulum swung to this far of an extreme, it’s sure to leave scars; what if it inspires humongous buttocks to come back into fashion?
January 28, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I can’t help but smile at these people arguing about their point of views. We have different opinions, various outlook in fashion. I would say, it is going to be a perpetual discussion defending each and everyone’s ideas and how they perceive the jeans fashion. We can’t say I like this better since not everybody will agree with you. I think it is important to respect the opinion of others. We are all entitled to that. Ms. Clotheshorse had been very generous to host this topic. And it is very surprising indeed, to find out how many different views we all have. What I can say to all women is that whatever will look good on you, whatever is comfortable for you— wear it. We are not following certain rules here, it’s your body, you pick your clothes, your own style and that’s freedom.
January 28, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I like the high waist jeans. I don’t think they’re for everyone, but really - what style is? Paired with the right blouse and some stilettos, these are perfect for work or a casual evening out.
February 1, 2008 at 6:23 am
BOTTOM LINE: Do U! I bought a pair of super high waisted sailor pants and looked heavenly. Whatever u wear just rock them well.
Christine, I understand your point about the trend finding its way to 10 year little girls; especially when I just heard that there are thongs for lil girls; however, parents have the discretion to buy or not to buy.
Ladies, wear what makes you feel beautiful; high waisted or not!
February 5, 2008 at 10:41 pm
I think the look is cute & chic. I was tired of just the lowriders. At first I too was anti-high waist, but than I stumbled upon http://www.asos.com/Woman/Jeans/Cat/pgecategory.aspx?cid=3630.
And whola! I fell in love with pair of Ditto’s jeans. Im going to wear them with a strapless bodysuit and cork wedges. I think its how & what u wear them with. I can def see this catching on.
February 7, 2008 at 7:56 pm
There is a very specific body type, style of pant, and pieces to go with it that I think this cut works with. It is not the most versatile cut. I really don’t think high waist work on jeans. They would work much better with trousers than jeans, because the purpose of the high waist is to play with proportions. A dressier, heavier material doesn’t make you look sloppy or slouchy.
The pants are meant to nip in your waist (for you already skinny people) and get wider as the leg goes down. The wide leg of the pants provides a contrast for the type of form-fitting top you should pair with it. The bigger volume of the pants makes the rest of you look smaller, a result similar to that of a form-fitting top worn with an A-line skirt.
There are circumstances where this style works, but I think Jessica Simpson was the least successful of the examples you gave.
February 17, 2008 at 5:41 pm
This is the same debate I listened to in 1991. And I think I have a solution to everyone’s concerns. Clothing designers should make waistlines actually sit ‘on the waist’! Not 6inches above it, or 6inches below it! Let’s face it, super low waist jeans look great if you’re 5′1″ with a 21 inch waist and 32 inch hips. If you have a tummy, they look gross. And honestly I don’t want to look at the crack of your asses anymore! If you’re tall, you end up spending all your time pulling your jeans up. And the same for high waisted jeans, if you’re 5′10″ and all legs they look fantastic. If you’re petite they look like a diaper. If designers actually fit jeans to the waist, you can still show off your ‘tramp stamps’, but conceal the pouch. In 20 years I’ve watched jeans go from just below the boobs, to just below the pubes. There has to be some happy medium. I assure the world would rejoice, at least for another ten years.
February 17, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I totally agree with you Staci! My favorite jean rise is the mid-rise, not too high, not too low and it looks good on everyone! I think too many designers spend their days surrounded by anorexic stick thin models and they forget that most women don’t look like that and they should concentrate on clothes that make women look good!
February 26, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Actually I am a 5′10″, all legs, stick thin model! Hahahahaha but I wanted to give some props to all the petite girls out there! Doesn’t matter anyway, I have to have all my clothes altered. However, I still stand by what I said, on the waist, not above or below. I can’t take low waisted jeans anymore!! I end up ripping the damn belt loops off from pulling them up all the time. And the high waist jeans that are being shown right now make me gag. Ok, one more observation: What are the chances of labeling women’s jean sizes like they do for men? I’m a size 4-5, I have to try on every pair of jeans and still end up returning 60% of them because they’re floods on me. (Floods! Am I dating myself or what?) Men’s jeans are sized correctly, 30-34 or what have you. This just makes sense to me. Waist+length= proper fit! Can someone please put me in touch with the god’s of fashion?? PLEASE???
February 26, 2008 at 10:00 pm
lyk omg, they are all hideous except for the ones that Fergie is wearing, the purple ones. she’s really pulling it off & knows what suits her body type, unlike the others. i mean Jessica, we all love you, but WHAT WERE U THINKING? i love the high waist, skinny jeans look. it all depends on your body type, but they usually look good on anyone if the jeans are skinny from top to bottom. high waists with flares or boot cut are horrible-looking. a good place to purchase them is at Wet Seal
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