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The closet upgrade youve been waiting for.
Photo:Real Simple
Read on for our four favorite high-waisted jeans, including wide-leg and straight-leg options.
And dont worryyou wont have to unbutton them at the dinner table.
The rigid denim doesnt have much give, so theyre less comfortable for extended periods of sitting.
PHOTO: Madewell
The thick waistband sat smoothly beneath our shirt, and the hardware was both comfortable and subtle.
Available in 11 washes, youll definitely want more than one pair.
They run long, even the petite length.
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So comfortable, that we went out and bought thestraight-leg version, too.
Westyled these jeanswith sweaters, tees, wedges, and sneakers, and they looked great every time.
They hold up well after washing, too.
PHOTO: Spanx
The lightweight denim may not be warm enough for cold weather.
They looked great with sneakers, clogs, heels, bootiesyou name itthey can help younail any look.
We even found them comfy after stuffing our faces atThanksgiving dinner.
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Theyre so cozy, wed compare them to yoga pants.
They maintained their shape and comfort after washing, with only a few frayed edges.
Made from 99% cotton and 1% elastane, the denim is heavy-duty and high quality.
PHOTO: Joe’s Jeans
We wore them three times before washing them, and they stiffened right back up.
Honestly, we could live in these.
They maintained their shape over weeks of wear, and washing them brought them back to their original fit.
PHOTO: Real Simple
Could we wear them during daily activities?
Could we easily dress them up and down?
After spending weeks with them, did we think they were worth the buy?
Our favorites range from budget-friendly finds to splurge-worthy picks, ideal for any price point.
Straight-leg jeans, skinny jeans, flare jeans, and bootcut jeans are fitted from waistband to knee.
Rise
When measuring jeans, rise describes the distance from your waistband to your crotch.
All high-waisted jeans have a high rise, but that rise can vary.
The rises on our list range from 10.5 to 15 inches.
Our top high-waisted jeans come in a range of inseam lengths, from 28 to 37 inches.
If youre not sure what inseam is right for you, you canmeasure your own inseamwith measuring tape.
The material composition affects both its comfort and durability.
Denim is often blended from different materials, like cotton, elastane, polyester, and viscose.
In addition to the feel, the blend also determines durability.
On the other hand, jeans with more elastane tended to stretch out more quickly.
However, we found that washing them often acted as a sort of factory reset, stiffening them up.
Unfortunately, the more we wore them, the more they stretched out and faded.
Questions You Might Ask
What is the difference between high-rise and high-waisted jeans?
High rise just means more than mid rise, Shapiro says.
PHOTO: American Eagle
Should you size up or down for high-waisted jeans?
Great high-waisted jeans fit rightno sizing up or down required.
That said, you’re free to usually expect your jeans to loosen over time.
PHOTO: Real Simple
If theyre made of elastane, specifically, they may get stretchier with use.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written byJamie Fischer, a writer forReal Simple.
She swears by high-waisted jeans and usually gravitates toward rigid, 100% cotton denim.
To find the best high-waisted jeans, we tested 14 pairs over several weeks.
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