Any true denim aficionado knows, the best high-waisted jeans are a wardrobe essential. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t own at least one pair. And as much as the low-rise and middies have been having their moment as of late, you truly can never go wrong with a perfect hi-rise jean. Since high-waisted jeans come in virtually every different type of wash, leg silhouette, inseam, and now even sizing specified to body types—such as petite, plus, and curvy—finding the right, no-gap pair is even easier.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best High-Waisted Jeans:
- Best Ankle-Length: Frame Le Jane Ankle Grind Hem, $278
- Best Wide-Leg: Slvrlake Grace high-rise wide-leg jeans, $330
- Best Straight-Leg: Khaite Danielle high-rise straight-leg jeans, $480
- Best Classic: Levi’s Ribcage high waist straight leg jeans, $98
- Best Vintage-Inspired: Madewell The Perfect Vintage Jean, $128
- Best Stovepipe: Re/Done rigid high-rise stovepipe jeans, $265
- Best Black: The Row Carlton high-rise straight-leg jeans, $750
- The Editor Favorite: Agolde ‘90s Pinch Waist high-rise straight-leg organic jeans, $210
- The Affordable Find: Gap High-Rise ’90s Straight-Leg Jeans, $80
- The Curvy Fit: Everlane The Original Curvy Jeans, $88
Straight-leg lovers will find their match in high-rise silhouettes such as Frame’s Le Jane or Levi’s The Ribcage (one of the highest rises on the list, which coincidentally are extremely budget-friendly, too), while wide-leg devotees know that Citizens of Humanity and Slvrlake are go-tos to get that cool, laidback California feel. If you want to go the fashion-forward route, both Khaite’s Danielle stovepipe jean and The Carlton from The Row are consistent sell-outs (that every editor owns or has on their wish list). And for those who love vintage denim, but hate the hunt that comes along with it, there are retro-inspired styles from Agolde, Re/Done, and Still Here—that look and feel just as good as those hard-to-find thrifted ones would.
Take a peek at our guide below that includes all of these styles and brands, plus everything else in between—from trouser length and cropped options, to rigid cotton and those with a little more stretch. Trust us, these 15 best high-waisted jeans are worth taking for a spin.
Frame
The Le Jane is a beloved customer favorite from Frame, thanks to an ultra high-rise fit. Its ankle-length version has a bit of stretch to them, for the ultimate in comfort. A note to the wise: catch them while you can. These jeans fly when new washes hit.
Slvrlake
You can’t go wrong with any of Slvrlake’s high-waisted styles, but we especially love the Grace silhouette. It’s a wide-leg silhouette that is made from non-stretch cotton with a slightly distressed, raw-edge hem that gives it that little bit of California cool.
Khaite
New York-based brand Khaite has developed a cult following from their origins in denim. The Danielle jean has a higher rise waist, which elongates proportions and creates that supermodel-worthy, legs-for-days look.
Levi’s
The Ribcage is well known to be one of the highest rises that Levi’s offers (it’s 12 inches!). The classic, straight-leg style hits at the ankle and offers a slimming effect at the hip, with a waist-defining look made for tucking T-shirts, sweaters, blouses, and more.
Madewell
Think of these as your modern version of Mom jeans—high rise, slim-cut, and with just the slightest touch of stretch for all-day movement. The Perfect Vintage jean also comes in petite, standard, curvy, tall, and taller inseams. There is truly something for everyone.
Mother
The Tomcat style has been in Mother’s denim offerings for years. This high-rise straight pair has a slightly cropped hem that makes it perfect for showing off your sneakers, sandals, or boots, no matter the season.
Agolde
The ’90s Pinch Waist is a non-stretch, cotton favorite that our editors are obsessed with. Inspired by the decade synonymous with straight-leg denim, don’t blame us if you keep going back for new washes.
Re/Done
Re/Done has perfected the art of making denim that looks authentically vintage, without the headache of scouring secondhand stores. These are made from rigid denim and have a waistline that sits high up.
Citizens of Humanity
Not just a good wide-leg jean, these are great. Designed with a 30” inseam, the Annina offers the ability to get dressed up when paired with a blazer and blouse, to weekend-ready with a T-shirt and denim jacket.
Gap
Don’t sleep on the ’90s straight-leg from Gap. There is a reason they remain an evergreen style, coming back season after season in new washes. They are just that good—and budget-friendly, to boot.
The Row
Besides the impeccably tailored, high rise on The Carlton, what sets this jean apart is the unique fabrication. They’re made with a blend of cotton and linen, for a truly breathable feel—even in summer.
Jeanerica
Stockholm-based denim brand Jeanerica works specifically with organic materials to produce an eco-friendly product with lasting power. Besides this dark indigo and black wash, you will find this flare in four other hues, ranging from soft gray to light blue.
Still Here
Still Here’s denim collection nods to the classic, American fashion icon (the blue jean—itself), while inspiring a new generation. The Childhood jean has a super high-rise and relaxed leg that’s exactly what you want to wear everyday.
Everlane
Everlane takes its customer-favorite Cheeky Jean to the next level, with two inseams (26.5 and 28.5-inches). This pair is designed specifically with curvy body types in mind, ensuring that waist bands that gap are a thing of the past—especially where high-waisted silhouettes are concerned.
Triarchy
Triarchy’s wide-leg, Ms. Onassis jeans are inspired by none other than the style icon herself—Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Whether worn on the New York streets or a yacht off the coast of Capri, this high-rise style will look ultra-cool, no matter the setting.
