Welcome to I Tried It Month, where we’ll be publishing a new fashion, beauty, or wellness article every day in January that features a first-person account of shaking up an old habit, pushing beyond a comfort zone, or simply trying something new. Follow along for 31 days of storytelling, including everything from going without a cell phone for 40 days to trying the polarizing low-rise-pant trend.
I have an immediate reaction when I hear anyone say the phrase low-rise. My eyes widen, my anxiety flares up, and a cringe makes its way across my face. As you can imagine, I avoided the waistline at all costs—that is, until one day I stumbled into a vintage boutique in my neighborhood and tried on a pair of low-slung pinstripe pants that I surprisingly didn't hate. I'll admit I liked them, even.
After that moment, I couldn't help but notice fashion's attempts at bringing back everything Y2K. From cushy flip-flops to velour tracksuits to, yes, low-rise pants, the fashion era that everyone loves to hate is happening again, and although it made me nervous at first, I had to see what the hype was all about. So I faced my fears, ordered a few low-rise trousers (and one pair of low-rise jeans), and in the spirit of guinea pig journalism, I just went for it.
On the runways, plenty of designers have been putting a modern spin on the trend. So I gathered a handful of my favorite styling moments from Dion Lee, Christopher Esber, Sandy Liang, and Sportmax and used them as inspiration for how to make the scary trend actually wearable. I should explain, however, that the styles I tried on weren't the low-rise skinnies of yore but slouchy and wide-leg silhouettes that feel current for 2024 and 2025.
Whether you've been seeing them bubble up too or are simply curious to see how I managed to style them, keep reading for four low-rise-pant outfits I put together and the runway looks that inspired each.
The inspiration
I love how this Dion Lee look is a polished way to approach the throwback trend. By swapping out low-rise trousers for typical suiting separates, it's a fresh take on a fashion-favorite look.
My take
Wearability: 7/10
Here, the vintage trousers that started it all. I was immediately drawn to their loose and relaxed vibe, so I took Dion Lee's suiting idea and paired them with a coordinating cropped blazer and retro sneakers for something more casual but still put-together.
I won't lie—I'm not used to baring this much midriff since I usually prefer high-waisted trousers. But that being said, this look was a good entry point to the low-rise movement. Any type of matching set, including suits, tends to be pretty easy to wear.
The inspiration
At Sportmax, low-slung trousers were paired with a second-skin top, another notable spring trend, and it proves just how well the two pieces go together.
My take
Wearability: 9/10
People love to hate on low rises because they're intimidating, but I found this styling idea to be a lot easier to pull off. One, because tucking it a thin top means you don't have to actually show off your midriff if that's not your thing, and two, because jeans are pretty fail-safe. As I mentioned earlier, I think the key here is going for a pair that's looser and more relaxed to offset the low rise. I'm a fan of Agolde's Lana Low Rise Vintage Straight Jeans.
The inspiration
Christopher Esber's simple separates are a case study in beautiful basics. I love how the designer paired low-rise black trousers with a white blouse and strappy sandals, and I immediately knew I had to try something similar.
My take
Wearability: 8/10
Even though I had fun putting together the other looks, it was this outfit consisting of simple basics that were arguably my favorite. The loose trousers give an elevated polish to my casual attire, and while the low-slung trousers are certainly trendy, the addition of a button-down shirt makes them feel more classic.
The inspiration
Sandy Liang is the queen of playful nostalgia, so, of course, her spring collection delivered on the low-rise front with several ensembles.
My take
Wearability: 5/10
The waist chain adds a cool element and draws the eye there. I love this look in theory, but I have to be honest that this was the least wearable formula of everything I tried. I wanted to love it but ultimately realized that I probably wouldn't actually wear it again. So I'll try it with my high-waisted pants and maybe layer the chain on top.
Shop more low-rise pants:
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.