Learning To Love High-Waisted Jeans

Ah, high-waisted jeans — how I used to despise them. But, like anything I tend to dislike in my life, sometimes I magically decide to love them. That’s what happened with high-waisted jeans. I used to throw SO MUCH SHADE at them, until I found the most perfect first pair.

Listen, I know high-waisted jeans aren’t for everyone. For example: every single time that someone comes into my work looking for jeans, they aren’t happy that all we currently carry is high-waisted ones. I can’t help that the 70’s trend of high-waisted bell bottoms is back! That’s just how fashion works!

But truthfully, I love when trends we used to love/hate come back into style because it’s the perfect opportunity to give them another shot. I’m a big fan of a good mid-rise jean, and sometimes I even enjoy wearing low-rise, but high-rise jeans were honestly never on my radar until I moved back to Cleveland.

I live in jeans — and that’s not an exaggeration … like I LOVE jeans. I’m really picky when I’m shopping for them. I definitely think they are one of those clothing items that you need to go to a store to try on. You can’t beat a good ol’ denim fit sesh!

Anyways, when I moved back to Cleveland, I was so beyond pumped to be able to wear jeans comfortably again. Living in South Carolina was no joke when it came to the humidity and heat. I’m that person who enjoys wearing jeans year-round, even in the summer. So, the fact that I couldn’t function in jeans because I felt like I was bursting into flames from the heat wasn’t really a vibe for me. Clearly why I ended up moving … LOL.

During one of my first shopping trips when I moved home, I decided to hit up Urban Outfitters because I was in desperate need of some new pants for work. I remember grabbing all of these high-waisted jeans just for the hell of it, knowing that I would probably hate them. But, ALAS! My opinion of high-waisted jeans was altered that very day!

Now that I think about it, what drove me away from high-waisted jeans initially was sizing. I could never find the right size. They were either too tight in the butt or too big in the waist and I just couldn’t win! But when I went to Urban Outfitters that one day, I decided to grab my current size, as well as the size below and the size above. That way, I couldn’t say I didn’t try!

My collection of high-waisted jeans began with my black button-fly crops, and has currently ended at these light-wash Topshop ones. Also — I got these for $11 at Nordstrom Rack. My jaw actually dropped when I saw the price at the register. A true jean miracle, I tell ya.

Well, that’s my high-waisted jean story. So great! Let’s move on to shopping tips for high-waisted jeans! I’ve compiled my knowledge into a handy-dandy list that you can easily access the next time that you’re shopping!

High-Waisted Jean Shopping Tips!

Begin your shopping at stores that you already buy jeans from. That way, you know whether or not you like the quality of the fabric, the length, the waist, etc.

Don’t pay attention to sizes when buying high-waisted jeans. If they fit, they fit! There is no consistency in sizing amongst my high-waisted jean collection.

If you can, bring someone along whose opinion you trust. I’ve gone rogue jean shopping far too many times, only to come home to realize the jeans I just bought are horrid and there was no one there to tell me otherwise.

Bring a belt with you. I know not everyone wears a belt in the first place, but high-waisted jeans offer the ideal opportunity to show off that vintage Western-inspired belt you found while thrifting.

Pay attention to where the jean hits your ankles. This is a big thing for me because I’m really tall, so it may not be something everyone needs to worry about. There’s a certain spot on my ankle that a high-waisted jean needs to hit for me to consider it a crop.

Last, but certainly not least: don’t give up on finding your perfect pair! Scour the internet or your fave social media accounts to see what brands other people are loving. This will give you a great starting point for your search for the high-waisted jeans of your dreams.

Okay, that’s all I’ve got for ya today! Oh! My favorite stores to find high-waisted jeans are: Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom Rack and Levi’s. Happy February, by the way! Ah, a new month … and one month closer to summer! Yippee YAY!

Have a super fun week, everyone!

Until next time!

Alicia <3

Outfit Details

Puffer Coat (Sparkz Copenhagen – found at Anthropologie), Sweater (Free People), Belt (Urban Outfitters), High-Waisted Jeans (Topshop – found at Nordstrom Rack), Scarf (Anthropologie – no longer available), Bucket Bag (Fount)