The 16 Best High-Waisted Jeans, from Skinnies to Wide-Leg Crops

Best Overall

• Value: 20/20
• Functionality: 19/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Aesthetics: 20/20
• Fit: 18/20
• TOTAL: 96/100

Offering ample wiggle room, a relaxed fit throughout the leg, an extra high rise waist and an array of different washes makes this pair from Everlane a top pick. If you really want to make sure your jeans hit well above your belly button, these feature an impressive 12 1/8 inch rise. Yeah, that’s over a foot of denim hugging your midsection. But even on shorter frames, they aren’t overwhelming, which is why Tori—who’s 5’2”—loves them. “These jeans are really handy. I can tuck in all my shirts and tops for a really flattering outfit that makes my waist look small and my legs look really long,” she says. “However, they do run big. I bought a 26 and they were a little large around the waist but I like the bit of room around my butt, so it works perfectly.”

Best Curvy Fit

• Value: 18/20
• Functionality: 20/20
• Quality: 17/20
• Aesthetics: 19/20
• Fit: 20/20
• TOTAL: 98/100

These Madewell jeans are a popular fave due to their semi-stretch denim and curvy fit that hugs you in all the right places. “I like my denim a little stretchier, so I can sit more comfortably. I prefer Madewell jeans that are the ‘Curvy’ fit because they have a higher rise and eliminate weird waist gaps but still leave me some space for my butt,” says Claire, a former Madewell employee. She also notes that they have a little extra coverage in the front to hide the tummy pooch that high-waisted jeans tend to create (or emphasize).

Budget Friendly

• Value: 19/20
• Functionality: 18/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Aesthetics: 20/20
• Fit: 20/20
• TOTAL: 96/100

Looking for some denim that won’t make you wish you were wearing sweats two minutes after putting them on? Good news, the search ends here. One editor here at PureWow loves these babies for their ultra cozy fit. “I love these jeans from H&M. They aren’t stiff and have a bit of stretch while still keeping your midsection supported,” she says. “I really hate wearing jeans for more than a couple hours but these I don’t mind at all.” Best of all, these stylish blues are currently on sale.

Best For Short Torsos

• Value: 19/20
• Functionality: 18/20
• Quality: 17/20
• Aesthetics: 20/20
• Fit: 18/20
• TOTAL: 92/100

Ladies with short torsos know that finding a pair of high rise anything that doesn’t drown your midsection is easier said than done. But these straight leg jeans from Old Navy really step up to the plate. “Honestly I loathe high waist jeans, but I’ve found that Old Navy’s fit my short torso better than most,” a PureWow editor says. “They’re wonderfully soft while still feeling supportive, and I love that they come in tall and petite lengths too.” Sounds like a homerun to us.

Best Non-Stretch

• Value: 20/20
• Functionality: 20/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Aesthetics: 20/20
• Fit: 20/20
• TOTAL: 98/100

“I like my jeans to feel like actual denim—with little to no stretch. The Wedgie’s keep their structure over time and hold everything in. I also love a good button fly, which these have,” says Julia. She notes that they run true-to-size but they take about two days to wear in—after that, any stiffness is gone. While Julia gave these jeans an almost perfect score, she docked two points for quality, since they do tend to wear out in the thighs pretty quickly.

Softest Denim

• Value: 18/20
• Functionality: 19/20
• Quality: 20/20
• Aesthetics: 20/20
• Fit: 19/20
• TOTAL: 96/100

We’ll admit that transitioning from our quarantine uniform of leggings and sweats back into rigid denim has been rather tough. That is, until we discovered these cropped jeans from AMO, which are woven from the softest cotton and rayon mix. “I love these because they don’t feel super stiff and still flatter my belly and bum,” says a PureWow editor. “In my opinion, they’re worth every penny, especially if you can feel like you’re wearing sweats even when you’re dressed up.”

Best Plus Size Skinnies

• Value: 19/20
• Functionality: 20/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Aesthetics: 20/20
• Fit: 20/20
• TOTAL: 97/100

Although we adore skinnies for their overall simple and sleek vibe, finding a pair that feels less like being stuffed in sausage casing and more like second skin is way harder than it should be. But Torrid, a plus size centered brand focussed on size inclusivity, has done just that. Besides their super flattering fit, this buttery soft denim has generous wiggle room so you won’t feel constricted. “These jeans are flexible and roomy, allowing for shapely calves and thighs to finally shine,” comments Dylan. “And, the shockingly cozy waist has an inner elastic waistband, making them so much comfier than the rigid denim I’m used to.” So basically, if you’re sick of buttons and zippers being smushed into your stomach whenever you sit, these are your saving grace. But hold on because it gets better. “I don’t know what kind of curve-loving sorcery goes into the back yoke and small pockets, but it’s literally like a free butt lift that requires nothing but your natural goodies,” Dylan says. Safe to say we’re completely sold.

Best Vintage Look

• Value: 15/20
• Functionality: 19/20
• Quality: 17/20
• Aesthetics: 19/20
• Fit: 19/20
• TOTAL: 89/100

Finding a pair of vintage jeans that actually fit how you like, look how you want and feel they should can feel like a wardrobe pipe dream. Luckily, Re/Done takes vintage Levi’s and reworks them to better fit today’s trends which is why this slightly ripped pair is one of PureWow’s editor’s go-tos. “I’m a huge fan of this brand, since every pair arrives in a super soft, pre-worn (and pre-loved!) condition but they button-up to fit like a glove,” she says. “Since they are vintage, these jeans can be a bit delicate and have a tendency to rip in the crotch after a year or two of wear—but in my experience, it’s usually something a tailor can fix.”

Best Distressed

• Value: 16/20
• Functionality: 19/20
• Quality: 20/20
• Aesthetics: 20/20
• Fit: 20/20
• TOTAL: 95/100

We love ripped jeans for the texture it gives any fit. Take a basic white tee, some sneaks and add in distressed denim and the look instantly feels that much cooler. So it’s no surprise that this distressed pair from Agolde is a fan fave. “I'm obsessed with my Agolde 90s Jeans!” a PureWow editor states. “I absolutely adore the distressed look, especially when I’m wearing a simple top—the jeans seem to zhoosh it up without me having to put much effort in. I also sized down two sizes from my normal size for a tight fit for two reasons: I find that they run a bit large, and I love when my jeans have little-to-no stretch to make me feel snatched.”

Best For Petites

• Value: 20/20
• Functionality: 19/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Aesthetics: 18/20
• Fit: 18/20
• TOTAL: 93/100

If you’re a shortie you probably dread trying to track down denim that doesn’t pool at your feet and totally drown your smaller frame. And after an arduous day spent in fitting rooms only to come up empty handed, you frustratingly resign yourself to having to wear cuffed pants 24/7. But Kara, a shortie herself, loves these babies for their super flattering fit and ideal length. “Loft’s petite jeans are quite literally the only ones I’ve found that I don’t have to cuff to be short enough for my 5’2” frame. They also stay up and don’t stretch out throughout the day unlike other pairs I’ve worn,” Kara says.

Best Tall Style

• Value: 17/20
• Functionality: 19/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Aesthetics: 19/20
• Fit: 19/20
• TOTAL: 93/100

On the other end of the spectrum, trying to track down a pair of denim that doesn’t hit mid-calf is an obstacle tall gals constantly run into. But those with a bit of height rejoice, because these bad boys have an impressive 30-inch inseam and run true-to-size. “As a lady of a certain height (okay, I’m 6’), Rag & Bone is one of the only brands that’s consistently long enough for me,” Sarah tells us. “I love that their high-waist pairs shape my waist area without being too restrictive and the hem falls at the perfect spot.”

Best For All Body Types

• Value: 19/20
• Functionality: 18/20
• Quality: 20/20
• Aesthetics: 19/20
• Fit: 20/20
• TOTAL: 96/100

Before you scroll past these oh-so-flattering pants because they’re white, just know that they also come in four additional shades, including black and a perfectly faded blue, and three different lengths (27-inch, 30-inch and 32-inch). Not to mention, Universal Standard is notorious for creating gorgeous plus-size pieces that actually cater to your curves—and then their website features each piece on 11 different models, so you can see how sizes 00 to 40 actually look on a human. “I’ll be perfectly honest, I had never thought of jeans as a comfortable piece of clothing,” admitted Alex. “I love these so much because they are an absolutely classic look while being comfortable enough to lounge in….every day!” While they do technically have a mid-rise, they have a comfy hug at the waistband, which can be worn just as high and low as you like.

Best Straight Leg

• Value: 20/20
• Functionality: 20/20
• Quality: 20/20
• Aesthetics: 20/20
• Fit: 18/20
• TOTAL: 98/100

We’re not sure what we love more: the subtly faded light wash of this denim, the perfect slouchy, relaxed fit or the vintage-y vibe they have. Regardless, the looser, more casual leg on this pair works for that date you have coming up, just as much as it does running errands. “These give me the perfect amount of breathing room, while the form-fitting high rise waist doesn’t create that dreaded diaper-looking pouch,” Lauren says. “And I love how easily I can take these from day to night. I can just trade in my sneakers for some heels and I’m good to go.”

Best Wide Leg

• Value: 19/20
• Functionality: 20/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Aesthetics: 20/20
• Fit: 18/20
• TOTAL: 96/100

Slipping on a pair of flared jeans is one of those things that can pull an outfit together, elevating the look to instantly make you feel cooler, giving your confidence the lil boost it needed. And these trouser-style jeans from Reformation are no different. “I absolutely love the fit and the length on this pair,” says Jordan. “Their wide cut really helps to elongate my legs and gives off that hippie-straight-out-of-the-70s feel. Not to mention these are ridiculously comfortable and don’t make me feel like I’m suffocating for hours on end.”

Best Cropped

• Value: 19/20
• Functionality: 20/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Aesthetics: 20/20
• Fit: 19/20
• TOTAL: 97/100

We love a good cropped jean for those days when you’re rocking a killer pair of shoes and want to show em off in all their glory. And not only are these cropped raw hem jeans crafted to seamlessly fit and contour your waist, they hit at that “just right” spot on the leg that is worthy of Goldilock’s stamp of approval. “I haven’t bought a new pair of jeans in the past six years because I can’t ever find jeans that fit perfectly, but these fit like a glove!” states Elise. “I have long legs, wide hips, and skinny lower legs and ankles, so it’s always hard to find jeans that are wide enough in the hips but also fitted through the legs, but these are perfect all the way around. I also prefer an authentic denim feel to my jeans, and these are the perfect mix of denim and stretch while still feeling like a true jean.”

Best Jeggings

• Value: 20/20
• Functionality: 20/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Aesthetics: 19/20
• Fit: 18/20
• TOTAL: 95/100

Heading back into the office but not quite ready to give up your yoga pants and hoodies? Jeggings land in that harmonious sweet spot between jeans and leggings, with all the comfort of the latter and all the professionalism of the first. “After finding these American Eagle jeggings, they’re the only ones I wear,” says Ali. She added that she can actually wear a crop top with these, without feeling over-exposed as she does with other high-waisted styles. And, they passed the stranger test: “I've had people stop me on the street to ask me where I got them,” Ali noted.