8 Outfits That Prove High-Waisted Jeans Are Eternally Chic
When it comes to denim jeans, the choices are endless. From low-rise styles to wide-leg silhouettes, you can customize your jeans like your morning latte. But I firmly believe nothing trumps high-waisted jeans. There’s an effortless and sophisticated air about them that doesn’t translate as easily with other styles, hence why I’ve become so enamored with them. That said, knowing which outfit combinations work best with high-waisted jeans is essential. You’ll want to focus on proportion and pair them with pieces that compliment the high waist, like cropped shirts or tops that are simple to tuck in. Adding a belt or coat is another way to play up the silhouettes that can create an even more interesting sartorial take.
To get your styling juices flowing, we’ve selected some of our favorite high-waisted jeans outfits worn by some of the most fashionable people on the Internet. Their outfits are so good it won’t be long before they become your go-to outfit formula. Scroll below to see and shop them all.
1. White Button-Down + Chunky Loafers
Take your high-waisted jeans to new heights with the addition of a silhouette-hugging corset layered over a turtleneck. For extra points, add a linen button-down blouse for a breezy look.
2. Golf jacket + Graphic Tee
It's time to dig the golf and Harrington jackets from your grandpa's archives–they're trending pretty hard right now, so here's your chance to get ahead of the craze early. Turns out they also look amazing with a logo tee and a pair of light-wash high-waisted jeans.
3. Sweatshirt + Dad sneakers
You probably have more sweatshirts than you know what to do with right now, so consider this start of a new go-to outfit. Throw on some dad sneakers for days spent on your feet.
4. Floral puff-sleeve top + Chain belt + Point-toe heels
Jeans can absolutely be fancy if you come ready with the right accessories. We love the idea of a frilly, dramatic blouse and a trendy chain belt.
5. Lace bodysuit + Colorful bag
Here's another lesson in dressy denim styling. A lacy bodysuit is an interesting contrast to the utilitarian vibe of jeans. Complete the look with a colorful, eye-catching handbag and a simple coat, and you're good to go.
6. Shacket + Bucket hat
Furry hats have been on my radar for a bit, and when worn with high-waist jeans, it's the ultimate cool-girl uniform. Try adding another trend-forward piece like a shacket as an alternative to a basic jacket.
7. Black button-down + Western belt
It truly doesn't get much chicer than black on black. To accentuate the high-waist, cinch it with a sleek belt.
8. Striped button-down + Mens belt + Black sweater
Lean into the menswear look, adding a minimal black belt and a blue and white striped shirt to high-waisted jeans. In keeping with the vibe, choose jeans that are loose-fitting.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Next, I just got back from Mallorca—here's the outfit formula I wore every day.
Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter where she started working at Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her work at Who What Wear, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times.
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