I've shared before that I'm a picky denim shopper. Hey, what can I say? I just know what I like in my jean selection, and I tend to stick with it. If you looked at my denim stack right now, you'd see a couple of common themes throughout all my pairs: They all have a high cotton content (aka they're on the rigid side), and they're as high-waisted as they come.
I love good high-waisted jeans because the rise sits perfectly right above my hips for the most flattering and comfortable fit. Plus, they're ideal for wearing with crop tops and tucking in non–crop tops. So luckily for me, the rest of the fashion world has been favoring high-rise denim over mid-rises lately (I'm paying no attention to those trying to bring low-rise jeans back…), and therefore, the internet and my favorite denim brands are filled with good old high-waisted jeans.
Speaking of my favorite brands, I'm sharing below the four best brands for high-waisted denim that have perfected the art of the high rise and even taken it to new heights (pun intended). Ahead, see which brands I trust, and shop my favorite fits from their lines.
1. Levi's
When I heard that Levi's was launching its highest-rise jeans ever last year, I scrambled to get my hands on a pair. With an over-12-inch rise, the ribcage-grazing waistline of the aptly dubbed Ribcage jeans gives new meaning to the term high-waisted. The name may sound scary, but once I buttoned my pair all the way up to my belly button and walked toward my mirror, it became immediately clear that these were the best-fitting and most comfortable jeans I had ever worn.
2. Re/Done
There's a reason Re/Done's High Rise Loose Jeans, which I'm wearing above, have garnered a fan club of celebs like Kaia Gerber and Bella Hadid. They perfectly toe the line between the relaxed, baggy look and the structured, classic look, and it's because the waistline fits so well.
3. J Brand
J Brand is another of my favorite denim labels for high-waisted jeans since the vast majority of its fits all feature a higher rise anyway. Between the wide-leg, straight-leg, and skinny fits, I really can't go wrong.
4. Agolde
It's no wonder why so many Who What Wear editors are loyal to Agolde's popular Pinch Waist Jeans: the higher-than-high rise, perfect length, and classic straight leg. I'm wearing the brand's slouchier '90s Jeans above, but rest assured that any of its high-rise styles will deliver.
Next, why I check the label of every pair of jeans before I buy them.
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