Of all the denim styles out there, the best low-rise jeans tend to be the most polarizing. Those who love the look wouldn’t be caught dead in waistlines that hit remotely close to the belly button, praising the style’s inherent ease. But on the other side of the spectrum, there’s an entire cadre of hip-slung haters (read: millennials), most of whom still have PTSD from the early 2000s.
Sure, low-cut denim can go wrong if you go with an early-aughts relic. However, the look has staged a major comeback over the last few years via slouchier designs, straight-leg styles, and leggy cigarette cuts. Plus, low-rise jeans are far more comfortable than high-rise alternatives when sitting or eating, and they eliminate the should-I-or-shouldn’t-I of tucking in your top. (The answer is almost always no.) Hailey Bieber is a fan for a reason, after all.
Ahead, we’ve pulled together the best low-rise jeans for every style and sensibility, from sleek stovepipe picks you can wear to the office to beautifully baggy fits perfect for a weekend coffee run.
Our low-rise jeans shopping list
Best low-rise jeans under $100
Can’t commit to abandoning all of your beloved high-waisted jeans just yet? Try branching out with these relatively budget-friendly picks which start at just $35. They all fit well—trust us!—and look far more expensive than they actually are. Extra points if you use this selection to give a new cut (like subtle bootcut flares) or wash (like a dark, grungy fade), a try, too.