Fashion

You'll Be Wearing These Jeans Soon

by Erin Mayer

Friends, high-waisted jeans are coming. If you are anything like me and my short-torso brethren, that thought will make you shudder more than the idea of being locked in a room with King Joffery. But if you have mile-high legs or simply enjoy a bit more coverage when it comes to pants, you're in luck. Because the high-waisted jean is here to stay.

According to BuzzFeed Business, retail execs are anticipating a major resurgence of the style, last popular in the 1980s. Susan Kellogg, president of VF (which owns major denim brands Seven for All Mankind, Splendid, and Ella Moss), predicts high-waisted jeans will be the biggest trend of the spring:

It hits the Millennials because it’s cool and new and it hits the little bit older customer who just needs more coverage. So whenever a trend like that is so commercial it means money.

The influx of high-waisted jeans will come in right at the fall of colored denim, a trend that industry insiders claim has already peaked. Goldman analysts have declared a "macro shift" where high-waisted denim is concerned. This means that the trend will be slower to take hold than something like colored denim, but will signify a lasting shift and "serve as catalysts for complete wardrobe turnover."

What does that mean for lovers of the low-rise skinny jean? Time will tell, although it is unlikely that the style will permanently disappear. After all, most companies that specialize in denim carry many styles and recognize that not all trends work for all body types. However, it may make it a bit harder to find low-rise styles. As Kelly Faircloth wrote at Jezebel, "As for those of us without the body shape for this particular look: Meet me in the Thunderdome to battle it out for the last pair of low-cut skinnies?"

Roger Kisby/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

If we must style the high-waisted jean, how do we do it successfully? While I personally like the insouciant blouse/flats/bangs the girl pictured above is rocking, not everyone can pull off the twee English rose look and be taken seriously. Here are some tips for a successful transition to the high-waisted jean:

  • Go with a crop top a la Lauren Pope. Sure, it's not for everyone, but if you like showing some skin, a crop top is a great way to do that while still going for maximum butt-coverage.
  • Ruth Crilly of A Model Recommends suggests tucking in an oversized sweater for an hourglass shape.
  • If you want to try out the look without committing to a new jean wardrobe, try black. It's such a universally flattering shade that you won't need to worry about whether the wash and the cut are weird on you.
  • Heels are not mandatory, but if you are shorter they can be the difference between totally nailing the look or striking out. Consider a traditional pump.
  • And please, please make sure they fit! Whether you choose skinny or flared, fit is of the utmost importance when it comes to all pants but especially high-waisted ones.

I will be patiently awaiting the return of low-rise, but best of luck to those of you willing to brave the new trend!