What to wear with high-waisted jeans
Although they were once seen as the height of uncool, high-waisted jeans are now extremely popular. Even with the ’00s fashion revival bringing hipster jeans back into fashion, high-rise pants aren’t going anywhere.
Not only do many people feel more comfortable in jeans of this cut, they’re easy to wear and look great with all kinds of outfits. If you’re wondering how to style high-waisted jeans, here are some tips.
How to style high-waisted jeans
You can find both high-rise jeans for women and for men, although the latter aren’t usually described as high-waisted. They may be described as sitting at the natural waist.
What’s great about jeans of this type is their versatility. You can wear them with practically anything.
With a tucked-in T-shirt
Tucking a T-shirt into your jeans is a great way of accentuating your natural waist. It instantly makes an outfit look more thought-out and put together. While this can make outfits look smarter, it doesn’t have to. You can still tuck in your T-shirt and look casual.
If you want to look a little edgy or effortlessly cool, a band shirt is a great place to start. You can find plenty of great retro-style band shirts, but stay true to your music taste by choosing a shirt from a band you love. Graphic T-shirts also have a relaxed look that won’t make your outfit appear too smart.
Conversely, if you want your outfit to look smart or have the ability to go from the office to a restaurant or bar after work, lean into the look. Wear black jeans with a well-fitting tucked in T-shirt, paired with a simple blazer and smart shoes.
With a button-down shirt
Button-down shirts look great with high-waisted jeans, whether tucked in or left untucked. Short-sleeved button-downs are more casual than long-sleeved options and great for warmer weather. There are all kinds of colors, prints and types of shirts to have fun with. For a more masculine look, wear a short-sleeved button-down buttoned all the way to the top.
With a crop top
Crop tops are perfect when worn with high-waisted jeans because you can embrace the cheerful summery look they bring without showing more skin than you want. You can find a wide range of crop tops, from loose, slightly cropped T-shirts to tight vests cropped to just below the chest. Your choice of crop top is a matter of preference, but whichever you choose, it will look great with high-rise jeans.
With a short, boxy T-shirt
If you don’t want to veer all the way into midriff-baring territory, but you want to mix up your style a little, try wearing a short, boxy T-shirt. To achieve this style, you need a T-shirt that sits an inch or two below your jeans’ waistband. This makes it shorter than an average T-shirt but it doesn’t expose any skin.
The slightly oversized, boxy look adds to the effect by playing with proportions. To look even more on-trend, cuff your T-shirt sleeves to shorten them. If you can’t find a T-shirt of this length, it’s fine to cut it to size.
With cozy knitwear
Embrace cozy fall and winter vibes by pairing knitwear with your jeans. Oversized, chunky knit sweaters look great with high-waisted jeans, especially when tucked in the right way. Large sweaters can look billowy when tucked in all the way around. Instead, try the French tuck, where you only tuck in your top at the front of your pants, letting it hang loose elsewhere. This accentuates your waist while retaining some casual cool.
With a monochromatic look
Black is popular for a reason, so try an all-black look. Black jeans are highly versatile, as they look great with everything, so they should be part of everyone’s wardrobe, anyway. You can pair them with a black T-shirt or button-down shirt and add a black sweater if it’s cold. Finish the look with black boots or sneakers and consider a bold statement accessory to bring a pop of color or sparkle to your outfit.
What you need to style high-waisted jeans
Levi’s Women’s 720 High-Rise Super-Skinny Jeans
These classic high-rise skinny jeans are exceptionally versatile and can be styled in a range of ways to look everything from smart to super casual. You can choose from a range of hues, including black, indigo and various light denim shades.
Lee Women’s Relaxed Fit Straight-Leg Jeans
With a high waist and a relaxed straight-leg cut, these jeans are both stylish and comfortable. They’re made of cotton, so they feel tough and sturdy with no stretch.
Wrangler Authentics Men’s Classic 5-Pocket Cotton Relaxed Fit Jean
Sitting at the natural waist, these are cut higher than most men’s jeans and look great on people of any gender. They have a relaxed fit and conveniently large pockets to hold all your essentials.
Cyberteez Pixies Lightning Logo Green T-Shirt
If you want to add a little edge to your style, this Pixies band shirt is just the thing to bring some ’90s cool to your vibe. It’s officially licensed with both front and back prints and a relaxed unisex fit.
Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Short-Sleeved Casual Button-Down Shirt
This button-down shirt looks great paired with high-waisted jeans, whether tucked in or left untucked. You can choose from a large variety of solid colors and prints, including solid navy and black, floral print and blue gingham check.
Champion Reverse Weave Cropped Hoodie
Bringing a relaxed sportswear look to your outfit, this cropped hoodie pairs brilliantly with high-rise jeans, particularly those with wide or relaxed fits. It comes in over a dozen colors in sizes XS-XXL.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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