Best High Waisted Jeans For Women [January 2020]

For the last few years, high waisted jeans have been more and more popular. And for good reason, they’re flattering, good for going out or going to work, and can be worn up or down.

From skinny to wide leg — and distressed to khaki — below we put together a lists of all the best high waisted jeans. Next, we get down to business and show you the best ways to wear those jeans, featuring some of our favorite influencers.

Love to try on and get a feel for yourself? Last, check out the best stores for high waisted jeans, so you can test them out for yourself.

Editor’s Choice

Editor’s Choice 🌟

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Mother $248.00

Featuring a super-high waist, this pair kicks out at the knee for a retro ’70s feel. About MOTHERThe denim mavens at indie label MOTHER are know

The Shortlist of Our Favorites

See our picks for the best below ↓


our favorite jeans

And a little about what makes each special…

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Mother from NET-A-PORTER $228.00

Mother’s Lela Becker and Tim Kaeding reinvent classic jeans, making them feel equally timeless and cool. Designed to sit high on your waist, thi…


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Joe’s Jeans from Nordstrom $228.00

Gleaming zippers and a leatherlike coating toughen up the look of these stretchy skinnies designed with a leg-lengthening ultra-high rise. Style…


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Mother from Nordstrom Rack $248.00

Machine wash cold 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane Zip fly with button closure 5 pocket construction Bootcut Fading a…


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Mother from Nordstrom Rack $248.00

Details Fading through the thighs and seat adds a vintage-inspired, worn-in quality to relaxed jeans with deeply slit hems that highlight the bo…


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J Brand from Intermix $248.00

Product Details J Brand’s Natasha skinny jeans are updated in an ultra light wash denim. Silver-tone button fly and side pockets. Back patch poc…


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J Brand from Shopbop.com $278.00

These J Brand jeans have a flattering high rise and an extra eye-catching look, thanks to sleek and glossy coated denim. Fabric: Lightw…


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R 13 from Farfetch $319.00

Black cotton high waisted skinny jeans from R13 featuring a button and zip fly, a waistband with belt loops, a five pocket design and a regular …


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RE/DONE from MODA OPERANDI $320.00

Re/done’s everyday jeans are designed in a light wash with a cropped hemline. They are fitted with a high-rise waist and a straight-leg silhouet…


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Alice + Olivia from Alice + Olivia $330.00

AMAZING TWO TONE HIGH RISE JEAN ALICE + OLIVIA JEANS is a capsule collection from Alice + Olivia that was born and raised in Los Angeles and mad…


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Jordache from Farfetch $364.00

JORDACHE made its name in the 1970s and 80s thanks to the brand’s classic American blue jeans. Today, the collection is updated with modern stap…


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Ulla Johnson from MODA OPERANDI $375.00

Reflecting the mood on Ulla Johnson’s Fall ’19 runway, these ‘Storm’ jeans were designed for the spirited, warm, and nomadic. They’re made from …


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from NET-A-PORTER $430.00

E.L.V. Denim’s ‘The Twin’ jeans are created by cutting up two vintage pairs and sewing them back together – the environmentally aware brand uses…


Once you’ve got the jeans, you need to style them. Here’s how some of our favorite influencers have done it with blazers, crop tops, and more.

High Waisted Jean Outfits

high waisted jeans with a crop top
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Jean Atelier High Waisted Jeans with a Crop Top


sweater, tucked in
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Gigi Mae Ringel High Waisted Tucked In w/ Sweater

Gigi in Nobody Denim looking very chic


high waisted jeans
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Cyndle Komarovski Straight Leg High Waisted with Oversized Shirt

Straight leg are a flattering choice as you get all the benefit of the high waist with too much of a reveal


Best Place to Buy High Waisted Jeans

Sometimes you gotta just get a pair on before you know that it’s right for you. We get it. Below are the best places to find high waisted jeans…

Levi’s – they have a ton of locations all through the US (check the map here) and have one of the best collections around

American Eagle gets a bad wrap, but they are in every mall (those still exist, right?) and they have a good selection and very good prices. Their webstore is good too!

American Apparel’s locations are entirely closed down now, but they do have a good selection online so I included them.

Do high waisted jeans make you look thinner?

High waisted jeans do make you look thinner because they have better tummy control which helps hold everything in place. It also helps elongate the lower part of the body in turn making you look thinner. When looking for the high waisted jeans, another tip is to make them dark wash as it will help with the overall slimming look.

What is the rise on high waisted jeans?

On high rise jeans, it is over ten inches. They are made to be worn at the waist rather than the hips.