How is that a man can walk into a store, pick up a pair of pants in his usual size, never even try them on, and still get a great fit? Meanwhile, shopping for women’s pants seems more complicated than ever. Okay, we just got down terms like “boot cut.” But now manufacturers are hitting us from all angles—not only do you need to consider how the pants flow at the bottom, but there’s all kind of fits at the top to consider. Super low-rise? Natural waist? What does it all mean? Here’s what we figured out with the help of a fashionista friend. (Thanks, Halsey—you’re the best!)
Super Low-Rise
This style usually sits at least 4 inches (!) below the belly button, on or below the hips. The super low-rise was first made popular by gals like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera and is not for the faint of heart. Basically, it’s best if you have abs worthy of showoff.
Low-Rise
The “hip huggers” of the 1960s (think Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin) are the ancestors of our generation’s low-rise pants. Low-rise pants usually sit 1 to 3 inches below the belly button. A low-rise can actually be flattering to a lot of body types, but the right fit is essential. Here’s a good rule of thumb for buying low-rise pants: Buy one size up to avoid the dreaded “muffin top,” or its even crueler cousin…“the inner tube.” You should also know that a low-rise can shorten the legs, so choose a boot-cut leg in a dark wash to offset that.
Natural Waist
This rise just feels…natural. Pants with a natural waist, or “regular rise,” sit just on or above your belly button—where you would measure your waist size with a measuring tape. A natural waist is flattering for everyone—not to mention, the most comfortable place to wear pants.
High-Rise
If you have a long torso and short legs, this higher-than-usual rise—usually 1 or more inches above your belly button—can seem to lengthen your bottom half. Just be careful—it’s a common myth that high-rise pants can hide a larger tummy or bottom. But they can actually accentuate both.
By the way…The rise is the distance from the waistband to the crotch.
Comments from Members
Interesting info. Always wondered what the difference between these were.
good jnfo. helps a lots.
Thanks for the info.
the info is great....but what I want to know is why can't a woman just go in and buy a aize 10 without having to try on to see if they fit. A 10 should be a 10 and so on. Seems each pair of pants I have is a differnet size because they are made by differnt companies...I hate shopping. I just got some pants the other day and they said the length was "short", they usually hit just the right place, but all the "shorts" I tried on this time are about half an inch longer than the pants I bought last year.
I am short-waisted, thin with a thick waist. Short-waisted women have a tendency to have a thick waist and a tummy bulge no matter how thin they are. Buying jeans are a pain!!!!I agree with Patricia. I think the pant legs are getting longer.
Shopping for pants is always a pain. I know that I can always wear a medium top- but I have pants from size 10-14 that are all actually the same size!
Now if we could only get them to make true to size pants. I need petite pants but often they are way too long. If I buy them, I still need to hem them and that is a pain.
Somehow, in my area of the country, regular is way too short, and long is way too long. There seems to be no happy medium. I have pants that are from 6 to 10!! On a positive note, I have found some "medium rise" that fit really well, do not make me look like baked goods or car parts, and are extremely comfortable.
I think I would rather pull my own teeth out than have to buy jeans( and wouldn't you know it my fav pair is about to give out) My issue is the waist fits the legs are usually long enough -after afew attempts but no one seems to get that some of us no matter how much weight I lose, my bubble butt is still bigger than the size that fits in the waist and legs. I usually look like I have pants 3 sizes too big on bc of the butt is right and waist is WAY TOO BIG. When are they going to quit pretending we are all scarecrows and get real women to design jeans for real women , not two deminsional sticks.
I LIVE IN NEW YORK AND I HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING THE RIGHT SIZE OF PANTS TO FIT.
I think the reason why "short" has now become too long is because the fashion industry think women are suppose to wear heels with everything. Yes, a pair of heels can make a pair of jeans go a long way, but MAYBE I would like to wear my flip flops with my jeans...Have you ever thought of that. Noooo, that would be too much like right. The industry think if it is "in" for one crowd, it is "in" for everyone else. That is bunch of crap. Don't compare me to Hollywood that has nothing better to do but look good in a pair jeans. I want to be comfortable with my Hanes T-shirt, Levi's and ON flip flops. 
I love denim and have several pair by several companies and several sizes...It sucks because I hate trying on clothes before I buy them, but I do love my jeans! 
I can't wait when the fashion industry and the public at large will not buy the low rise jeans any longer. I am so tired of seeing butt cracks and tattoes on the rear ends of women who shouldn't be out in public! Just a few and I mean 1% of women can wear these jeans and the rest just look pathetic, Yes, I am a grandmother and I feel that jeans worn in this way gives the wrong impression of who these ladies are. Britany Spears is No role model for anyone.
I agree with Merri. It is soooo difficult to find pants that fit in both the hip area and the waist. As far as the length goes, I just assume that I'll have to have the pants altered. I hate to spend money on alterations.....men have it so much easier than we do when it comes to clothes!
i also have the problem where i have jeans from 7/8 - 11/12 and i still weigh exactly the same and the jeans are basically the same this is stupid and needs to stop and manufacturers need to make them just like jeans for men where we can walk in and get a pair and don't even have to try them on. That's extremely frustrating
I only purchase men's jeans. They are constructed of better material and better stitching. My biggest problems with women's jeans, they are never ever long enough
This is for Merri... I am also one of the bubble-butted. No matter how much I weigh, and sadly it has varied by 40+ lbs, my waist is 12" smaller than the fullest part of my hips. I didn't even wear jeans for years because of this issue. You don't mention your size but Lane Bryant (if you're plus) and Fashion Bug (if your missy) have a line called Right Fit. The curvy Blue is a life saver. Also there is a website called truejeans.com that will allow you to enter your measurements and suggests jeans that are styled to your body type. It is awesome not to sit down in a pair of jeans and have two hands worth of space sharing my business with the world!
thanks for the good information.
The difference in sizes from brand to brand is what drives me crazy! It's a range of as much as 6 sizes for goodness sake. We need some standardization please. I also am not a fan of the trend to "downsize" the sizes. We are smart enough to figure out the clothes makers are calling the clothes a size 6 when it's really a size 10, come on!Thanks for the info on "rises"! Now I know to stop even trying the "low rise", they just won't fit me and look good......
I like the low rise jeans, they sit right on my hips. This is great for me because I am short-waisted. Although, they are not low rise on me and I have a hard time finding jeans that are really low rise on me. I am short as well and trying to find womens jeans that are low rise without being too long is really hard. I buy mens jeans alot because I know they will fit and most mens jeans sit low on the hip or right at the hip. Why don't manufactures of womens jeans size them like the mens jeans? I guess that would make too much sense! Yes, I think they need to make jeans for real women! We have curves!
I like mid rise jeans. They help hold the belly in.
I have a very difficult time finding a pair of jeans that are a becoming style for me. I am bigger in the rear and waist that doesn't go with any style of jeans,that will match my smaller thighs and legs. If you get a size to fit the fat part of yourself,you look ridiculous in the leg area,being way to wide. Any suggestions would be appreciated. By Sue 8-4-2009 2:46 PM
I'm quite short-waisted, so low rise jeans fit me best--they fall just below my belly button.
I LOVE low rise. So glad when these were invented.......
i love the natural waist, and it seems to be getting harder to find them, wish more of these jean companies would take that into cosideration Brenda
I wear natural waist, otherwise I'd look stupid, lol. Unless you have rock hard and flat abs, you should not wear the lower ones. Oh my I'm so amazed at the young girls going around with the low rise jeans and their tummies literally hang out over them.................ewwwwwwwww. The sad thing is I guess they think they look good because of magazines showing these as the "in style" thing. Actually what's in style is what fits your body correctly. So many young girls look pregnant because of not wearing something that's actually flattering to their bodies. I don't understand the "the tigher the better" attitude, lol. Spilling out all over is not an attractive look girls!
