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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I hate high-waisted trousers! AIBU?

90 replies

Jourdain11 · 27/05/2023 20:54

I really, really dislike the feeling of high-waisted trousers round my middle. It just feels so constrictive and uncomfortable. I much prefer trousers that sit more on your hips or mid-rise. Since it seems like you can only buy high-waisted trousers, I guess I must be weird and the only person in the world who feels like this!

AIBU to hate high-waisted trousers and where, oh where, can I buy a pair that aren't high-waisted?

OP posts:
Vicliz24 · 27/05/2023 22:03

They're the work of the devil to us short torso folk . I get most of my trousers and jeans from charity shops nowadays because they still have lots of low rise availability

Original poster
Jourdain11 · 27/05/2023 22:04

I was all ready to be told that I must have sensory issues, or that I'm the wrong shape or something 😂

OP posts:
ZiriForEver · 27/05/2023 22:05

I hate them as well. I gained some weight and sizes over last 10 years and I just need mid rise straight cut. It is hard enough to find trousers that fit in all other dimensions to add unnecessary part on top.

My sister is slim and sporty, and she wants only hipsters.

My best bet over the time is M&S, they tend to have some basic models unaffected by the trends.

I have a theory, that this intentional ploy to make sure the clothing from different years won't fit together. High rise and shorter tops, low rise next year, so the shorter T-shirts can't be used with them, different colour/pattern, so the next year will be incompatible again...

Bramshott · 27/05/2023 22:05

I'm totally with you here! I just feel nauseous in high rise trousers if I wear them for longer than a few hours.

I've worn Gap low rise bootcut jeans for several years but they don't do them now. I live in fear of the pairs I have wearing out and already have had to patch one pair.

However, I did get a nice low rise pair from Hollister last year which are super comfy. I keep meaning to go back and see if I can stock up.

Taytocrisps · 27/05/2023 22:07

GarlicGrace · 27/05/2023 21:29

It's a stealth boast, innit 😂 This is why the better-upholstered among us prefer legwear that covers our tummies, OP. Haven't been able to hang anything off my hips for quite some time!

Agreed. Low waisted jeans with an overhang is NOT a good look (looks down sadly at middle aged tummy).

TedMullins · 27/05/2023 22:08

personally I like high waisted because despite being slim-ish I’ve got a gross paunch flap on my lower abdomen that I can’t shift and it hangs over the waistband of low or mid rise trousers. If you can see my belly button they’re too low for me! But I think M&S do different waist heights

Squiblet · 27/05/2023 22:08

Jeans - look up old Diesel ones on eBay and Vinted. My 29" Cherock diesels are so low-slung it's unreal ... and so, so comfortable.

BlackWhiteColour · 27/05/2023 22:09

I love my flabby waist to be covered. But my teen daughter only wants low-waisted.
And it is a nightmare finding her trousers that fit . We have had to send so many pairs back. The only luck we have had is with some of H&M and urban outfitters trousers. Maybe take a look there

Original poster
Jourdain11 · 27/05/2023 22:14

TedMullins · 27/05/2023 22:08

personally I like high waisted because despite being slim-ish I’ve got a gross paunch flap on my lower abdomen that I can’t shift and it hangs over the waistband of low or mid rise trousers. If you can see my belly button they’re too low for me! But I think M&S do different waist heights

They do! But they never seem to have my size to try on in store. I probably just need to take the plunge and order online, hoping that they'll be okay.

OP posts:
Twitch45 · 27/05/2023 22:14

I can't bear high waisted jeans! So uncomfortable.
Diesel jeans are low rise. I get mine from eBay or Vinted. They are all I can wear!

TheRainMustFall · 27/05/2023 22:19

Hairbrushhandle · 27/05/2023 21:48

As a short person I hate that all trousers or jeans nowadays seemingly have to end before your ankle. It just makes your legs look shorter. And the combo of high waisted and short trousers just makes you look like a toddler whose mum has 'jumped' them into trousers to pull them up.

Ah, I love cropped jeans for this exact reason. ‘Ankle grazer’ = jeans that don’t need to be altered or rolled.

Re high waisted jeans, though, I loathe them. I definitely have the 80s child sugar addict (perfect description) layer of fat, but that just makes encasing my stomach in thick denim even more uncomfortable. I’m short-waisted and even if they’re ok when I’m standing up, I find the jeans ride up to just under my bra when I’m sitting them! My body doesn’t actually have anywhere to accommodate all that fabric. Awful.

Mid rise with a belt is the only way I’m comfortable in jeans.

Elemenohp · 27/05/2023 22:19

I'm 5ft 3, but have the same inside leg measurements as my d bro (5ft 11) and my husband (5ft 8). I'm all leg with practically no torso.

High waists on me come up stupidly high on me, so I refuse to wear them. On one memorable occasion there was no gap between my bra and the top of the trousers.

I source the majority of my trousers from charity shops or vinted, occasionally primark as they had a few mid rise styles last year.

I also agree that mom jeans suit no one.

GreenMarigold · 27/05/2023 22:21

High waisted have been in for soooo long, it must be 8-10 years now and I’m fed up of waiting. Surely it’s time for a new trend.

I literally cannot wear them, I just can’t stand that feeling of them being up so high up and want to rip them off. And on top of that, they don’t even look flattering!

I have one old pair of bootcut mid-rise that are the only pair of jeans that look nice on me. I don’t know how much longer they can hang on in there!

Original poster
Jourdain11 · 27/05/2023 22:26

I also don't understand why people feel low rise/mid rise are less flattering! You don't have to expose bits of stomach if you don't want to.

Vero Moda used to have decent trousers not super high rise, but they're hard to find anywhere now.

OP posts:
PickAChew · 27/05/2023 22:26

Anything that isn't high waisted hurts me.

And falls down.

Throughabushbackwards · 27/05/2023 23:25

My jeans? Just looked and they're actually a 'Dad' jean, Miss Selfridge from ASOS. Maybe that's why they fit me better? I have short, straight-ish torso, so am shaped a bit like a man I suppose Grin

GarlicGrace · 27/05/2023 23:29

I'm 5ft 3, but have the same inside leg measurements as my d bro (5ft 11) and my husband (5ft 8). I'm all leg with practically no torso. Shock

Blimey. I mean I can see the problem, @Elemenohp, but what a fantastic problem to have!

I'm 5ft 8 and think they gave us each other's legs by mistake 😆

GarlicGrace · 27/05/2023 23:36

I also don't understand why people feel low rise/mid rise are less flattering! You don't have to expose bits of stomach if you don't want to. Well, I showed you a picture ...

It's not about exposing stomach, it's having to throttle your abdomen with fabric that bunches itself under your tummy. Nothing 'hangs off' padded hips, it slithers down unless worn so tight that it wedges itself into your flesh. The tummy bulge can then only be covered by a tent-like garment hanging loose from bust to lower hip. It just ain't worth it - I completely stopped wearing jeans & trousers while they were all low rise.

YANBU for hating them for yourself. But for pete's sake let the rest of us say why we like 'em, hanger-hips!

heyitsthistle · 27/05/2023 23:41

High waists 4eva

LadyVictoriaSponge · 27/05/2023 23:59

heyitsthistle · 27/05/2023 23:41

High waists 4eva

Well quite, that’s the problem, they have been around forever, women should have the option to be able to purchase high/mid or low rise, we don’t have that choice, it’s incredibly frustrating, men on the other hand never seem to have issues like this with the fit of their jeans……

Elemenohp · 28/05/2023 00:08

To be fair, @GarlicGrace, DH is the only normally proportioned one of the 3 of us. D Bro has a silly long torso so has issues with some shirts looking way too short.

But yes, it's not the worst problem in the world to have, unless the only trousers available are high waisted only. And in that case there are always dresses.

Siameasy · 28/05/2023 02:00

My bum always looked better in low rise but now I’m nearly 50 and no longer have a flat stomach I feel I need my stomach to be encased. It feels vulnerable in low rise/

There are loads of pairs in charity shops by the way

GarlicGrace · 28/05/2023 02:29

I've just done a quick search and there are LOADS of low-rise jeans, including very low. H&M has 152 styles, about half of them under £30. Hip-hanging all over the place!

RedToothBrush · 28/05/2023 03:53

SamanthaVimes · 27/05/2023 21:56

High waisted are SO uncomfortable. I literally can’t handle it even though I like the look of them. Low rise for me, I don’t care if my c section pouch hangs over I need to be comfy!

This for me.

They make me bloat too so it makes the problem worse!

They are awful.