I Was Always Hesitant to Wear This Controversial Jeans Trend—This Exact Pair Changed My Mind

It's been over a decade since I wore anything denim that sat below my belly button, but after a slew of sightings of members of the celebrity style set, my colleagues have convinced me to give them a second chance.

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A collage of Who What Wear UK editors, including deputy editor Rebecca Rhys-Evans, fashion editor Remy Farrell and shopping editor, Florrie Alexander, testing the best low-rise jeans for women.
(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)
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When it comes to jeans, it’s always a question of how low you should go. Given how widespread the trouser style truly is—you’d honestly be hard pressed to find a well-edited wardrobe that doesn’t feature at least one pair—it sometimes feels like the options are endless. But whether you love them or hate them, low-rise jeans are certainly gaining momentum, and the silhouette’s adherents certainly make a compelling case for why you should invest in a pair.

A staple of the early 2000s where hip-bone-baring pants were at an all-time high, low-rise jeans were relegated to the annals of Y2K fashion for the better half of the decade before being resuscitated by legions of off-duty supermodels, nascent Gen Z style icons and even everyday shoppers who can’t help but seek bottoms that cut off before the small of their backs. And who can blame them? When you have poster girls like global pop sensation Katseye in that viral Gap denim, Olivia Dean in heeled boots and an oversized Bottega Veneta bag or Hailey Bieber in softly-slung and slouchy iterations, a persuasive argument in favour of the divisive style is to be had.

An image of Hailey Bieber wearing one of the best pairs of low-rise jeans for women.

(Image credit: Backgrid UK)

Speaking to Leighanne Jones, the senior creative director at leading bohemian retailer and certified denim destination Free People, she explains to me that the appeal of low-rise jeans lies in the fact that they’re “a classic style marked by an untraditional twist”. Through “unexpected proportions”, as Jones puts it, the style offers a fresh and directional take on denim that’s unexpected, a little cooler and far more effortless.

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It’s these exact qualities that resonate with so many Who What Wear UK editors, with a number of my chicest colleagues gravitating towards the shape. As someone who is slightly trepidatious about denim at the best of times, let alone feeling comfortable in a low-rise, I sought out their expert recommendations for the best styles to shop, given the plethora of enviable options available has piqued my interest.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Margot Robbie arrives at BBC Radio Studios promoting new movie 'Wuthering Heights' on February 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/GC Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

One of the things I noticed most from this exercise is just how universal low-rise jeans could be. I initially had written off the style, thinking they would only resonate with Blumarine Barbies, Hypebeasts or E-Girls. However, with the spectrum of my co-worker’s personal styles being quite broad, I simply adored how they’ve taken the crop in stride and tailored it to their own sense of dress, be it more classic and minimalistic or ornate and maximalist.

This is something Jones resonates with, too. “Feeling comfortable in your [low-rise jeans] is all about styling,” she notes. “This season, it's about outfitting around your denim, playing with proportions, exploring volume and fresh fabrications,” she continues.

Paris Hilton wears low-rise jeans in the early 2000s.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

With this renaissance only heating up, it’s time to acquaint yourself with the best low-rise jeans available. Hand-picked from our own wardrobe, along with a few additional styles of note, uncover the pieces that’ve earned our endorsements, hips and all.

The 7 Best Low-Rise Jeans for Women in 2026

1. Reformation Elora Super Stretch Low Rise Bootcut Jeans

An image of Who What Wear UK shopping editor, Florrie Alexander, wearing one of the best low-rise jeans from Reformation.

(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: "As a dedicated denim wearer, I've tried on hundreds of jeans in my time. But I've mostly steered clear of low-waist styles. Growing up in the '90s, my idea of low-waist was the very dramatic low-slung version, but it's clear that the 2026 styles are far more wearable.

"As a fan of Reformation's jeans, I tested out their Elora style and was seriously impressed. As ever, they hug my body in all the right places, though at a petite 5'2" they do require some hemming. At first glance, the V-shape dip in the middle made me nervous, but actually, the rise sat over my hip bones with just a little plunge in the middle. The bold seam detailing is another nice touch that sets this pair apart, along with the distinctive waistline and the absence of a waistband for a streamlined effect." — Florrie Alexander, shopping editor

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2. Free People We The Free Tennessee Low-Rise Boyfriend Jeans

An image of Who What Wear UK news writer, Natalie Munro, wearing one of the best low-rise jeans from Free People.

(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: "After plenty of consideration, I came to the realisation a year or so ago that high-rise jeans were never especially flattering on me. That discovery opened the door to trying low-rise styles for the first time, and I haven’t looked back since. So when the brief to test the chicest low-rise denim landed on my desk, I was more than ready.
I opted trial Free People’s We The Free Tennessee Low-Rise Boyfriend Jeans in a light wash.

"With a relaxed, slightly baggy cut, they sit neatly on the hip bone, and in a size 27, sat comfortably, without restriction. I styled them with longer knits and tops, which balanced the lower rise nicely. The hem fell just below my ankles, working well with boots now, though I can see them pairing just as well with strappy sandals or ballet flats in summer." — Natalie Munro, news writer

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3. Agolde Low Curve Mid-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans

An image of Who What Wear UK Deputy Editor, Rebecca Rhys-Evans, wearing Agolde low-rise jeans.

(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: "As with all denim, low-rise jeans come in many cuts and silhouettes. The Low Curve mid-rise wide-leg jeans are the slouchy type that is slightly baggy, not only due to their longer length, but also their wider leg. For me, low-rise denim looks best when either slender and bootcut—pandering to the Y2K nostalgia many of us have—or like this, worn almost oversized and loose. There’s just something very effortless about them—if you want to feel ‘cool’, wear them with a sneaker (perhaps the Isabel Marant Bekett wedge trainers, if you’re as short as me), and if you want to make them feel chic, opt for a heeled boot, as I have done here.

"I’m usually a size 10 to 12 in trousers, and wearing a 29” pair here. They sit on the hips at the perfect place, just above my underwear. I would say they fit true to size, but if you’re between sizes or, like me, hate anything to nip on your hips, then I would size up an inch and wear with a belt. They are, however, quite long. I’m 5"4', and even with my 2-inch heels, they still drag the floor. So great for tall people! The denim feels thick yet soft, and the zipper is sturdy. Generally, wearing them feels like wearing an expensive, quality pair of jeans, which is exactly what you want when you pay £330." — Rebecca Rhys-Evans, acting deputy editor

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4. Juicy Couture Vintage Wash Low Rise Flared Embroidered Jeans

An image of Who What Wear UK Fashion Editor, Remy Farrell, wearing Juicy Couture low-rise jeans.

(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: "Given the fact that I didn't start regularly wearing jeans until a couple of years ago, I'm always sceptical about denim trends. My aversion to denim stems from the fact that finding the right pair always took so long, and after a lifetime of gaping waistbands and trailing hems, I was ready to give up on jeans altogether until the return of 90s and noughties denim profiles piqued my interest again. As a child of the 90s, I was immediately drawn to pared-back, understated Calvin-esque jeans, but like all millennials everywhere, I heard the term 'low rise jeans' and immediately thought of my Y2K icons.

Only one brand could get this right, and Juicy Couture's newly launched denim line scratches the itch I didn't even know I had. Stretchy, figure-hugging, and just the right amount of distressed, these have "It girl" written all over them. After wearing them for hours the comfortable stretch avoids the need to unbutton for jeans for comfort, but be warned. Those used to an ultra-rise will find the transition stark—these pull no punches in just how low they sit on the hips (think Margot Robbie in that Dilara Findikoglu corset and leather trousers). These jeans are not meant for bending over, but there's no denying just how good they look standing up..." —Remy Farrel, fashion editor

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5. Asos Low Rise Baggy Jeans

An image of Who What Wear UK Fashion Editor, Remy Farrell, wearing Asos low-rise jeans.

(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: "Listed as low-waist jeans but actually sitting quite high on the body, ASOS’ Low Rise Baggy Jeans are great for those who want to try low-waist jeans without the commitment of actually wearing something particularly low.

"If I’m being honest, I have a mid-rise pair which sit lower than these. This being said, they’re a lovely cut—less wide than the Agolde jeans I tried, they’re more of an everyday silhouette, and would be easier to style. I’m 5"4', and these jeans are the perfect length—I can wear them with and without a heel. I do like a looser fit on the waist, this particular pair are a size 28, but I would buy one size larger for the more comfortable, baggier feel." — Rebecca Rhys-Evans, acting deputy editor

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6. Abercrombie Curve Love Low Rise Ultra Loose Jean

An image of Who What Wear UK copy editor, Georgia Seago, wearing Abercrombie jeans.

(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: "Abercrombie’s Curve Love range totally changed the game for me. If you’re fairly short with hips, thighs and a bum bigger than your waist, you need to buy your jeans from here. Trust me: you won’t look back. I love the look of loose, wide-leg jeans, but I automatically assumed they wouldn’t work for me with a low waist, until I learned that A&F make a Curve Love pair. The Low Rise Ultra Loose Jean fit perfectly, as expected, with no gaping space around my waist or uncomfortable tightness on my thighs. I even love the slightly frayed haw hem. All in all, they’re excellent." — Georgia Seago, copy editor

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7. True Religion Joey Low-Rise Flare Jeans

An image of a pair of True Religion low-rise jeans.

(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)

Style Notes: "There’s rarely a Gen Z-approved trend I wouldn’t try, but low-rise jeans isn't one of them. The True Religion Joey jeans, with their connotations to Paris Hilton's party wardrobe, are a fixture in my wardrobe.

"Sizing up to a UK10, I typically wear a UK 8, the stretchy, almost cocooning material clung to my legs like a second skin. With functional back pockets and a button closure, the close fit tapers at the knee into a bootcut finish, grazing the floor as you walk. (Which was a surprise as I’m 5'10", so most jeans are relatively short if not bought in a longer length). Having had them for a few months, I must admit I’ve pulled them out a fair few times, using them to add some edge to neutral colourways and biker boots. Are they my favourite pair? Definitely not. But they honestly fall into my top ten." — Imani-Nia Francis-Tsolaki, junior fashion editor

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What to Look Out for When Buying Low-Rise Jeans?

The most important factor of low-rise jeans is, as the name suggests, where the waistline sits. As some of Who What Wear UK's editors have noted, a lot of jeans they tried on that were labelled low-rise actually finished considerably higher up their abdomen, so it's important that you factor in exactly where you want the jeans to fall before purchasing.

The second thing is sizing. As hinted at, a lot of low-rise jeans can be troublesome when finding the correct size, as they might be slightly bigger (or smaller) than your usual size to counter the fact that they rest quite far down on your hips.

However, the most important element to keep in mind is your comfort level. A lot of low-rise jeans can expose some parts of your mid-section that you don't usually display, so be sure to try on a few pairs and make the right decision that suits your specific tastes and needs.

What Low-Rise Jeans are Trending in 2026?

"This season, we’re especially excited about low-slung silhouettes with bowed legs and a puddled hem, which offer a fresh, directional take on modern denim," explains Jones. We're also seeing a lot of large waistbands come through in 2026, which is a departure from the traditional waistband-less styles popular in the noughties.

How We Tested the Best Low-Rise Jeans

Who What Wear UK editors rigorously tested the best low-rise jeans over the course of several weeks. This process began with looking at sales data and viral styles to determine which popular pieces were worth vetting in the first place, in order to see if they would live up to the hype. They also raided their own wardrobes, as any style that finds its way into a fashion editor's wardrobe is one that has already earned a sought-after stamp of approval. From this, we shortlisted styles and road-tested them for several weeks to see how easily they were to move in and how comfortable to live in. Then, we narrowed this wider selection down to just a handful that whole-heartedly vouch for and reccomend.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.

We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and each and every buy we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.

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Ava Gilchrist
SEO Writer

Sydney-born, London-based journalist Ava Gilchrist is Who What Wear UK's SEO Writer. An authority on all things style, celebrity and search related, she produces insightful fashion features, first-person clothing reviews, talent profiles and comprehensive trend reports chronicling the latest happenings from the runways, zeitgeist and red carpet. In her spare time, she can be found trawling vintage boutiques and hunting down the city's best dirty martini.