If you're not interested in something super high-waisted but also don't want a particularly low option (sorry, low-rise lovers!), mid-rise jeans may become your go-to. They're a no-fail option that will never go out of style. Mid-rise jeans offer a variety of silhouettes, from classic straight to trendier barrel jeans. Add a pair to your current wardrobe, and you'll be reaching for them more than you think.
To showcase the best mid-rise jeans, we scrolled through our favorite sites, including Nordstrom and Shopbop, to uncover the standout styles. Below, you'll find a range, including light-wash picks, distressed options, and more. Keep scrolling to shop.
Top 5 Mid-Rise Jeans for Women
- Best Overall: Levi's 501 90s Jeans ($98)
- Best Barrel Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch Mid Rise Barrel Jeans ($90)
- Best Straight-Leg Jeans: Madewell The '90s Straight Mid-Rise Jeans ($110)
- Best Baggy Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love Mid Rise Slouchy Jeans ($90)
- Best Wide-Leg Jeans: Reformation Greta Super Stretch Low Rise Wide Leg Jeans ($168)
Customer Review: "My favorite jeans I own! Not too barreled and love the long inseam option."
Madewell makes incredible basics, but the brand is especially known for its denim. This pair fits perfectly right above the hips and has a relaxed and easy fit.
If Who What Wear editors had to pick a favorite denim brand, it would be Agolde.
If you're on the taller side, we'd recommend Reformation's jeans.
Yes, Zara's denim selection lives up to the hype. Sometimes, we gravitate toward them over our designer pairs. Plus, they mostly fall under $100!
Out of all of Levi's styles, the 501 is the ultimate classic. The mid-rise and straight silhouettes make for the perfect '90s-inspired look.
Customer Review: "These have the perfect fit and a really good wash. Make sure to size down, though."
Customer Review: "I bought these last month. I’m 5’5" and they fit perfectly. They are very soft and get a lot of compliments."
If you want affordable mid-rise jeans with a trendy touch, look no further than H&M's tapered jeans. H&M's jeans are usually softer than your average rigid denim, so this one's perfect for those who may have texture sensitivity and want to prioritize comfort.
Customer Review: "I LOVE these jeans, the mid-rise is great, they're extremely flattering, and I will wear them till they come apart at the seams."
If you're able to splurge, Khaite's denim has proved to be worth the investment.
Customer Review: "This denim checks all the boxes: comfort, style, wash, rise… it's really that good! I get compliments every time I wear it. The only thing to be aware of is it runs super big. I normally wear a 26 (5'4", 115), and the 24 fit perfectly. I also tried the petite 25 at first, but the petite sizing did not fit well. I will stick with the regular sizes from now on. I was so impressed; I bought the same jean in the whitewash.!"
We love roomy jeans, but this slimmer style from J.Crew is pure sophistication. Its sculpted fit elongates the legs and is made from new stretchy denim that forms the figure comfortably.
These new Mango jeans have a perfect silhouette. They're loose but not too baggy and can be worn from day to night.
Another splurgy-worthy brand for denim has to be Tibi, especially if you prefer a loose and baggy fit.
Customer Review: "I love these jeans, so comfortable and versatile. this is my second pair and my favorite style of Abercrombie jeans. I'm waiting for more washes to become available. It's the perfect amount of baggy, not too loose not too tight the fit is perfect."
We understand that not all of you may have given up slimmer jeans, and that's okay. Wear what makes you feel comfortable! Mother has a variety of mid-rise skinny and straight-leg styles to choose from.
If you're looking for luxe-like jeans at an under-$100 price point, Mango is your destination. This pair is proof.
In the denim world, Levi's will always be reliable. This pair fits nicely at a mid-rise level but is roomy and slouchy at the hip and thigh for maximum comfort and ease.
A black pair of denim looks classy, but a washed-gray pair adds an easy level of interest without jumping into another color range.
We've presented a lot of luxe and sophisticated options, so it only makes sense to balance things out with a more casual and affordable option. These are the kinds of jeans you want to run errands in.
We love Agolde's '90s jeans, and the Lana Mid-Rise is another great straight-leg option. It has a slight fray at the bottom and a faded wash that'll look great both casual and dressed up.
How We Picked the Best Mid-Rise Jeans for Women
When compiling this list of the best mid-rise jeans for women, we considered Who What Wear reviews and editor-approved styles, customer reviews, celebrity endorsement, hype on social media, and whether an item was so in demand it's currently out of stock. Then, we solidified our list, looking at what pairs of jeans stood the test of time despite fleeting trends. We also tried on the top pairs to ensure we provided our readers with an authentic review.
Why Trust Who What Wear
Who What Wear is a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource. Our fashion and beauty editors uphold Who What Wear's editorial standards and values every day with quality, expert-backed story ideas and product recommendations and selections.
This story was published at an earlier date and has since then been updated.
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