High-waistedjeansmight sound like something your mum used to wear with shoulder pads and door-knocker earrings, but don’t relegate them to the '80s fancy dress box just yet. They’re super flattering, thanks to their high-rise waistband that cinches inwards, and look great with all your favourite cuts of jeans (skinny, flared, cropped, straight, wide, you name it).
It all comes down to styling - and the key is in their name. High-waisted jeans are designed to showcase, all together now, the waist so it follows that you should always tuck tops in instead of letting them drape willy-nilly. A fitted tee, a cropped blouse, a ribbed knit polo neck and a button-down shirt (that isn’t too long lest you want to spend hours rearranging when you go to the loo) will all look great tucked in.
And what about shoes? It very much depends on the cut. A pair of wide-legged, high-waisted jeans that fall past the ankle will look brilliant with chunky sandals, loafers and ballet pumps. An ankle-cropped pair, meanwhile, can take heels. A block-heeled ankle boot adds some nice height, while kitten-heeled mules with an anklet will make a lovely combo for late spring. I’d recommend loafers and ballet pumps, again, with skinnies - I find trainers look too bulky - and ankle boots with straight-leg jeans.
The Best High-waisted Jeans 2024, Grazia’s Edit
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Best Overall High-waisted Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love Ultra High Rise 90s Straight Jean
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Best Affordable High-waisted Jeans: M&S The Wide-Leg Jeans, £35
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Best Designer High-waisted Jeans: Toteme, High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans, £290
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Best For Comfort: H&M Wide Ultra High Jeans, £27.99
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Best Size Range: Good American GOOD '90s Relaxed Jeans, £160
Finding the right pair of jeans might be one of fashion's hardest exercises, despite the vast offering at hand. So, to make things (a bit) easier, we've rounded up our personal favourite styles which have gained our seal of approval from trialing them over the years.
Shop: The Best High-Waisted Jeans 2024
Best Affordable High-waisted Jeans
M&Swww.marksandspencer.com
These high-waisted M&S are the absolute staple to a capsule wardrobe as you can pair them with almost anything.
| Available in six colours | |
| Ranging from size 6-24; and three different lengths |
Best Plus-size High-waisted Jeans and Best Size Range
Abercrombiewww.abercrombie.com
Tried and tested, Abercrombie & Fitch delivers a sleek denim offering for plus sizes, without gaping waistbands and surplus fabrics that bulges up. 10/10.
| Available in nine colours | |
| Ranging from size W:23-37, and five different lengths |
Best Straight Leg High-waisted Jeans
Calvin Kleinwww.calvinklein.co.uk
In the most classic style of denim wash Calvin Klein have created a waist-defining straight jeans you're going to immediately want to add to your basket.
| Available in 24 colours | |
| Ranging from size W:24-34 and L:30-34 |
Best Designer High-waisted Jeans
Net-A-Porterwww.net-a-porter.com
There's nothing not to love about Toteme's (perfect) straight-leg jeans, which lay the groundwork for a solid capsule wardrobe. What's more, they're made from considered materials.
| Available in three colours | |
| Ranging from size 23-32 |
Best Flared High-waisted Jeans
ARKETwww.arket.com
These high-waisted jeans from ARKET features a slim fit and flared legs. The recipe for a great pair of jeans.
| Available in two colours | |
| Ranging from size 25 to 33 |
Best High-waisted Mom Jeans
& Other Storieswww.stories.com
If an indigo wash is your thing, & Other Stories have the perfect pair of mom jeans that'll see you through the autumn.
| Available in two colours | |
| Ranging from size 24/32 - 32/32 |
Best Wide-Leg High-waisted Jeans
Mint Velvetmintvelvet.com
These Mint Velvet jeans are made from the softest cotton and can be style with both trainers and heels. They also have a slight flare cut that elongates and flatters the legs.
| Available in one colour | |
| Ranging from size 6-18, and three different lenghts |
Best Boyfriend High-waisted Jeans
Levi'swww.levi.com
It wouldn't a list of the best jeans without featuring trusted brand Levi's. Its Ribcage Wide Leg jeans promises to give you that leggy look of the 70s and 90s - one that's inspired by the super high-rise trend of those two decades.
| Available in eight colours | |
| Ranging from size 24-33 |
Best Dressed-Up High-waisted Jeans
Victoria Beckhamwww.victoriabeckham.com
A brand synonymous with tailoring, off-kilter prints and modern cuts, Victoria Beckham has created the most fabulous pair of high waisted jeans in nine different washes.
| Available in nine colours | |
| Ranging from size 24-32, available in regular and long fit |
Best Mid-Range High-waisted Jeans
My Theresawww.amiparis.com
Luxury brand AMI PARIS lead the way when it comes to creating timeless basics. And its jeans are no different.
| Available in one colour | |
| Ranging from size 25-34 |
Best For Comfort
H&Mwww2.hm.com
For a classic pair of high waisted jeans, head to high street brand H&M to find these wide leg jeans with an extra high waist that's sure to flatter.
| Available in four colours | |
| Ranging from size 4-30 |
Best Skinny High-waisted Jeans
Veronica Beardveronicabeard.com
Rely on the American one-stop-shop Veronica Beard to offer up high-waisted jeans with a va-va-voom effect. Consider these the perfect partner for your favourite platform heels.
| Available in eight colours | |
| Ranging from size 23-34, and two different lengths |
Best Petite High-waisted Jeans
www.goodamerican.com
Rely on Khloe Kardashian's denim brand, Good American, to bring forth a failsafe jeans edit for every body shape, from petite to plus-size. Starting at size 00, these jeans go all the way up to size 32 PLUS.
| Available in six colours | |
| Ranging from size 00-32PLUS |
Gemma Lavers is a Fashion Writer at Bauer Media, writing for brands like Grazia, heat and Closer. Gemma specialises in all things clothing and enjoys outfit planning (especially for holidays), scrolling social media for the next trend and shopping (probably for a new coat).