I Conquered My Fear of Low-Rise Jeans With These Elevated Outfits

After years of despising the controversial style, I’ve finally embraced it.

Danielle Prescod's avatar
By
published
in Buying Guides
Danielle Prescod wearing a cream sweater and jeans; Danielle Prescod wearing a red sweater and jeans; Danielle Prescod wearing a gray sweater and jeans
(Image credit: Danielle Prescod)

I’m a millennial, so I was young when the first low-rise jeans came along. Well, not the first, but you know what I mean. I remember the 2001 Levi’s commercial where computer-generated belly buttons sang Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out” (IYKYK).

Intrigued by the Y2K-era denim trend, I enthusiastically purchased several pairs of low-rise jeans. But truth be told, they ended up making me feel extremely uncomfortable. The low-slung silhouette never fit my proportions, and while some people were excited to show off a “whale tail” (an exposed thong), I was self-conscious about baring skin down there.

Several years later, when American Apparel said let’s go high and skinny, I was totally on board. I even remember saying that I wanted my denim to double as a bra—that’s how high I liked to wear my pants. And for quite some time, I remained committed to the high-rise look.

However, everything changed when I got diagnosed with uterine fibroids, and very suddenly, I couldn’t pull my pants up above the equivalent of a 20-week-pregnant belly. In desperate need of a quick fix, I reluctantly returned to low-rise jeans.

At first, the hip-skimming style served as a solution to my health condition. But even after I had a myomectomy to get the fibroids removed, I kept wearing low-rise jeans because I learned how to style them comfortably. I felt silly for having such stringent policies on the cut of jeans that I was willing to wear. So, nowadays, I’m open to whatever fit feels right.

If you’ve carried around some early-aughts trauma surrounding low-rise jeans, I’m here to ease your anxieties with some tips on how to wear them.

Danielle Prescod wearing a sweater, jeans, and uggs

(Image credit: Danielle Prescod)

While some low-rise jeans are fitted, this style is considerably baggy. These pants are so spacious, they make me feel like I’m wearing a pair of cozy denim sweatpants. Here, I paired them with an oversized rugby sweater for an ultra comfortable feel. Not to mention, the length of this top prevents me from possibly showing off a whale tail.

This kind of roomy look is a great way to soft launch yourself into wearing low-rise jeans. Plus, it's the perfect outfit for those days when you want to feel like you’re wrapped up in a plush blanket.

Danielle Prescod wearing a sweater, jeans, and heels

(Image credit: Danielle Prescod)

Look at how low these pants are! Absurd! I never thought I would be wearing jeans like this and yet, here we are! These bottoms are made from recycled denim, so they're more accommodating than the low-rise jeans of yesteryear. They don't pinch or squeeze me in the wrong places and I feel okay with having more midriff exposed than I normally would.

Since these low-rise baggy jeans can drift toward the “boyish” end of the style spectrum, I like to balance them out with feminine pieces that show more skin. For this reason, I chose a cropped bandeau top and a matching shrug, both cut from a soft knit fabric. It’s quite cold where I live, so the shrug is not just stylish, but also very necessary.

Danielle Prescod wearing a red sweater, jeans, and leopard-print flats

(Image credit: Danielle Prescod)

These jeans are a little more fitted than the rest, but still incredibly comfortable. Paired with kitten heels, a designer bag, and a slim cardigan, this outfit works well for those moments when I want to feel more put-together—whether I’m running errands or hitting the town for a weekend outing.

Danielle Prescod
Danielle Prescod
Contributing Editor

Danielle Prescod is a 15-year veteran of the beauty and fashion industry, dedicated to researching how feminism and social justice intersect with pop culture. She's the author of The Rules of Fortune, Token Black Girl, and a recently-launched Substack newsletter called Highly Recommended.