Should You Wear High-Waisted Pants? - Trouser Rise Guide

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Gentleman's Gazette

Especially if you're new to the finer points of men's garments, the rise of trousers will likely not be your first consideration. The trouser rise is measured from waistband to waistband, through your crotch area.

Low-rise pants typically rest on or just above the hip bone, the medium rise pants usually go anywhere between the hip bones and the belly button, and a high-rise pair of pants or high waisted pair of pants, they're used interchangeably, reaches exactly at your natural waistline which is typically at the belly button.

So why does it matter what the length of a rise is, you might wonder. Well basically, the amount of fabric in the area between your crotch and your waistband has a huge impact on how the length of your legs versus your torso is perceived. A shorter rise makes it look like you have a longer torso and shorter legs. On the flip side, a high rise pair of pants makes it look like you have very long legs and a slightly shorter body.

The second reason your rise matters is when you wear a suit or a jacket with your pants, ideally, you never want the shirt to poke out underneath the buttoning point.

Also, if your shirt is invisible and you wear a longer tie, your tie pokes out from underneath your jacket and with the triangular shape pointing down, it accentuates your crotch even more which of course is bad.

If you follow us at the Gentleman's Gazette, you know we're big believers in classic men's style which often means that you avoid the extremes. In this case, you could argue that avoiding low-rise as well as high-rise pants will always keep you in solid middle ground.

Now one might assume that shorter gentlemen should always opt for low-rise pants but that is not the case. Basically when you wear a jacket and you look at it from a profile, the distance from the back of your collar to the end of your jacket should match the distance from the bottom of your jacket to the hem of your pants. Once you get that proportion right, you look at it in a mirror from the front, ideally without the jacket and you see where ideally you want that waistline to be.

If you're a little stronger in the waist area, a high-waisted pair of pants will help to cover up that extra body mass and nicely drape into your thighs. Meanwhile, low-rise pants would give you an overhang in the waist area, also known as a muffin top, of course, if you have a bigger belly, you have to take that into consideration and maybe let things out in the waist if you opt for high-rise pants.

In general, if you want to look contemporary, a tightly fitted pair of pants without pleats, a low rise, in a very snugly fitting blazer that is rather short is a look you wanna go for. However, if you look for a timeless style, maybe even something that is inspired by the Golden Age of menswear, then you should opt for a medium to high rise.

So what are good techniques or places to find trousers with the right rise for you?

If you truly want high rise pants, you likely will find them vintage, custom made or from small specialty retailers.

If you want to try a mid rise first, you could try classic brands such as Ralph Lauren maybe which often have a mid-rise pair of pants, they also often mention the rise on the detail section on their website. If you can't afford bespoke and you're not sure about vintage, you could also try this trick that Ethan Wong from Street x Sprezza is using, we interviewed him and he's a shorter gentleman who likes to wear high-rise pants, his trick is to buy pants that are two sizes larger than he is then he has the legs tapered taking the top of the waist in but it gives him a higher rise because larger sizes naturally will always have longer rises.

#pants #dresspants #notsponsored

[bouncingBrain]

At the ripe old age of 67, I've decided to dress like an adult. One thing I've started to do is to always wear a vest or waist coat. That hides the height on my pants or jeans, the length of the tie, etc. I have also made another life-changing decision -- suspenders instead of belts.

[sakiv]

My advice is.. Don't wear high waisted underwear with low waisted pants. 😭😭😭

[florian]

It‘s frustrating to see an formerly integral part of mens fashion being neglected by the industry. I really struggle finding affordable high rise pants and spend more time than I‘d like in thrift stores. It really suits my body type since I have a long torso and shorter legs. I don’t get why they are so popular in women’s clothing but not in mens. I actually tried women’s pants but they are too wide in the pelvis area. I hope they make a comeback in menswear.

[marioburgos]

Thanks to my proportions, I can benefit from a medium rise or (even better) go for a high rise. I love how it gives the illusion of longer legs, perfect for a classic or slim fit outfit.

[dylanhall]

That tip about buying pants that are too large, and tailoring them is excellent. One that I've used myself.

[greyareaRK]

I've hated low-rise since they arrived - incredibly uncomfortable. I like the look of high-rise, but suspect I'm medium.

[buckplug]

One great thing about high-wasted trousers worn with shirt is that by putting pressure on the waistline it not only helps with keeping the shirt tucked in, but puts the weight of the shirt higher and makes the excess fabric shoot up and make the shirt more roomy at the top instead of making a muffin top. This can be great in broadening one's shoulders and just generally making the upper torso appear larger and more masculine, which works for a more informal, relaxed style.

It's kind of like with pleated skirts, but (as it should) in reverse

[MrPolfavela]

I supprt a high rise pair of pants.
If they fit well, oh man! The feeling on your waist is so comfortable and unique.

[Zailen]

I discovered high rise trousers when I started doing WW2 reenactments. Fell in love with the look, and the comfort level and really wanted to find that in a more casual style that I can wear every day. I find myself constantly having to adjust low rise trousers, and find them very uncomfortable. Maybe I'll go for a mid rise. It seems easier to find. I'm also suspecting suspenders would be better for me too, because I never had to adjust my pants once during my reenacting time, but in my day to day with a belt I'm constantly having to. Thanks for the video!

[HoyeGraphics]

High waisted pleated trousers are all I wear.

[bobnelson]

I don't like low-wasted pants. And I detest short zippers.

[Gerryof]

I wish high waisted pants would be back in fashion, more comfortable. Growing up our waistbands were actually on our wastes, not on our hips.

[srhatfield]

Most days the question is "Should I wear pants?" 😁😂

[maximilienrobespierre]

So high rise is better if you're on the wider side of things.

That explains why I naturally always wanted to pull my pants up as much as possible, despite the fact that they were designed as a low rise, when I was a kid.

[TheRacso]

High rise is the only way. It looks so bad when people have low rise trousers with their suits, especially if its a three piece suit and the shirt is visible between the trousers and waistcoat.

[azizquadri]

I always go for a high rise in dress trousers, and a medium rise in more casual jeans and chinos. I despise the low-rise for how uncomfortable and unflattering it is (specially on dress trousers).

[giovannigobbi]

I love you Sven, you are awesome in giving advices and you are the most well dressed man I have ever seen.

[PLBL]

Please make a video about the importance of posture, as well as techniques to improve/maintain good posture.

[Harrypotterxx]

Love seeing the pics of Ethan, Spencer, and Jan! They're some of my top style inspo guys.

[eustace]

The 1930s look is the one I want! It is not just the golden age of high rise pants, but fashion as a whole. I especially like the look of the short vests.