Put to the Test: High-Rise Vs. Super High-Rise Jeans
Photo Credit: J. Birdie Photography
So I started on the higher rise trend with my mid-rise flares and thought . . . why not try all of the rises and see what they look like? I was surprised by all of the positive reviews on the high rise and SUPER high rise jean leggings from Express and wanted to see what all of the fuss was about. To be honest, I thought maybe the high-rise would work but hell no on the super high rise. The results surprised me . . .
High-Rise
I had a hard time figuring out what to wear with these . . . as you can see by the fact that I changed my top. I just didn’t like them on me. Maybe because I’m pear-shaped and I felt like these highlighted that even more . . . they were not flattering on me. BUT . . . they looked GREAT on Mom! (See below)
Wearing:
Express High Waisted Jean Legging in Dark, also available in Black Here (Mom models below)
BaubleBar Necklace (sold out, get on the wait list for this fab choker here) or this one is similar
Mom Wearing High Rise
Mom loved the high rise! She’s opting out of the crop top trend, but loves that the high rise smooths out her tummy and holds everything in nicely. They kind of act like Spanx . . . there’s no muffin top with these! (PS How cute is she??)
Wearing:
Express High Waisted Black Jean Legging
Super High Rise
I was definitely more comfortable in the super high rise jeans. Because I have a smaller waist and wider hips, these were more flattering as they came all the way up to my waist. I wore them with a tighter crop top in these photos, but I’ve recently found these crop tops from ASOS, and they are the PERFECT crops for those of us who don’t want to be baring midriff. (This is about as much midriff as I’m willing to show these days!) They’re looser and a bit longer and are the perfect way to “dip your toe” in the crop top trend without diving all the way in. (Plus they’re $9 . . . with free shipping both ways. My kind of deal.) More colors here. These jeans are also great with regular tops because they hold you in like shapewear.
Wearing:
Express Super High Waisted Jean Legging in Dark, also available in Medium Wash Here
Two (very) Different Body Types in High (and higher) Waisted Jeans
In the end, Mom and I both liked the higher rise on the jeans. We were surprised by how much we liked them, but the shapewear effect, the fact that there’s no muffin top (or butt crack when you bend over), and the comfort level of them all made them some pretty awesome jeans in our opinion. You can choose to wear them with a crop top or a regular top and they work with both. I have a pear-shaped body with a small waist and big hips/butt. Mom is more straight up and down and petite.
*A note about sizing: as the waist went up, my sizes went down. I wear a 6 in the mid-rise flares, a 4 in the high-rises and a 2 in the super-high rise. Mom was wearing a 2 in her high rise jeans . . . and the black color runs a bit smaller than the regular washes.
Hey EXPRESS! What I’d REALLY love to see is a SUPER high waisted flare jean . . . anyone else? Please, please!
XOXO,
Scotti
Yes — super high rise flare! Please, please!!!
The Madewell Flea Market Flares have a pretty high rise. I just got mine back from the tailer, love them (I’m 5’2″ so had to have them hemmed a ton). The rise comes just below my navel.
It’s definitely not for me, but I think that comes from knowing your body type and what works. The older I get, the more I realize that while it is important to stay current and work with trends, I also need to be true to what’s flattering on my body. I’m all about the mid-rise these days, since post-baby body does not agree with my pre-baby low rise jeans/[ants. At first I resisted hard core- midrise sounded so middle aged!- but a midrise skinny jean is now my sweet spot. (Although I do still love me some AG bootcuts.) But hi-rise would definitely highlight some of my trouble spots (post baby hips and thighs). Thanks for trying them out for us. PS- Your mom is super cute!
Your mom is adorable! What shirt is she wearing?
I’m shorted-waisted enough as it is, so I definitely won’t be trying hi-rise jeans. I think they look great on you though Scotti. I actually think that being pear shaped works in your favor for this look. Bootie is in Baby!
p.s. Yes, love your mom. She looks great too!
Your mom is seriously too cute- how about making her a contributor?! I know my own mom is always looking for ways to modernize her wardrobe without looking age-inappropriate.
You guys look great! I have a problem with high waist. It seems that when i like it standing, it is super uncomfortable and constricting on my waist when sitting, and i have to sit a lot at work. Any way around this?
Super curious now about the super high rise. I’ve tried high rise, but I’m both super pear shaped and tall with a long torso, and the proportions just don’t hit me right. I see some super high rise testing in my future.
I have the same body type, which makes these tempting to me as well, but have a major fear of Long Butt.
Mom and Kid I love this.
I love your blue nail polish. What brand/color is it? Thanks for the review of the jeans. I am also pear shaped and was wondering about the high rise /super high rise. Express has great jeans for the price. And love your momma. BTW- I am a former Yooper – from Negaunee.
HAD to leave a comment — your momma is unbelievably cute AND cool. The bracelets! The hair! The shirt! She’s fantastic! I want to be her when I grow up! Fist bump to her keepin’ it fresh and real and cute.
Thank you so much for that ASOS find! I want so bad to do crop tops and it gets insanely hot here and I need new camis, so perfect! Also, those super high rise pants make you look like you are miles of legs! I found that at JCrew the opposite is true in sizing. The lookout high risers (similar to the supers) i am a 27, the high rise toothpick i’m a 26. and now in some denim i’m a 25 which is, frankly, BS. go figure.
Scotti! Do you see how AMAZINGLY FABULOUS you are in the SUPER HIGH RISE!? I mean, come on! You’re WAIST! So flipping HOT!! And your mom is a CUTIE! Love her!!
I really, really enjoyed this post Scotti. I cannot wait to get home and try out Express!
Much love,
Ann from Kremb de la Kremb
I love a high rise jean. Will be keeping my eyes peeled for the super high rise in Australia. I like a jean that keeps the muffin top in check. Great post…..and gorgeous mum (mom). x
Love your earrings!
-Hannah
Alright Scotti, I trust you. Crop tops freak me out (Mombod over here) but I just got some Jag high waisted skinnies and I have NO idea how to wear the darn things. So I’ll give the croptop a shot. Thanks for linking something affordable!