The Truth About Pant Rise: Numbers You Need to Know Before You Shop
If you’ve been in a dressing room lately, or scrolled through new arrivals online, you may have noticed a shift: low-rise pants are creeping back into fashion in 2025. Cue the collective groan from anyone who lived through the early 2000s.
But here’s the thing: whether you love them, hate them, or feel neutral about them, rise matters. It changes the way your clothes fit, how comfortable you feel, and even the proportions of your outfit. The tricky part? What one brand calls “high rise” might be another brand’s “mid rise.” That’s why shopping by measurements instead of marketing labels is the easiest way to know what you’re getting.
Today, we’re taking the mystery out of pant rise and giving you the exact numbers so you can shop with confidence.
First Things First: What Is “Rise”?
In clothing terms, rise is the distance from the crotch seam straight up to the top of the waistband. That’s it.
A shorter rise means the waistband will sit lower on your body (closer to your hips).
A longer rise means it’ll sit higher (closer to or above your natural waist).
Why it matters: Rise affects comfort, coverage, and proportion. If your waistband is constantly digging into you, sliding down, or cutting your torso in half, chances are the rise is working against you.
Your Pant Rise Cheat Sheet
No more guessing! Here’s how I classify them by the numbers:
Low Rise: 8"–9.5"
Hits well below your natural waist, often around the hips. Gives off that “low-slung” look that’s trending again. Can work if you like a slouchy, relaxed vibe, but not always the best choice if you want tummy coverage.
Pros of Low Rise:
Extremely fashion forward (lots of the 20 somethings are embracing this rise)
Especially good for showing off midriff or pairing with a bodysuit
Comfortable as it hits below the belly button
Cons of low rise:
If you’ve lived through it once, a second time may be painful
If you have a belly, low rise can accentuate it by hitting under and highlighting the overflow
You constantly feel the need to pull up your pants
If you’re long waisted, it accentuates the disproportionateness
Mid Rise: 9.5"–11"
Sits between your hips and your belly button. This is the Goldilocks rise for most women, as it’s flattering, comfortable, and easy to style. Works with almost every top length.
Pros of Mid Rise:
Works for both long and short waisted ladies because it is not extreme will always be in style
Typically comfortable as they offer coverage without feeling restrictive
Cons of Mid Rise:
Because they sit in the middle, they can cut a belly and accentuate it
Because they do not sit on the actual waist, they can slip down (especially if you're thicker in the middle)
They're not as leg lengthening as a highrise
High Rise: 11"–13"
Sits at or above your belly button. Creates a long leg line, pairs beautifully with tucked-in or cropped tops, and offers more coverage.
Pro tip: These numbers are based on front rise. Some brands also list back rise, which is always higher to accommodate curves and movement.
Pros of High Rise:
Leg lengthening
Waist snatching (even if your waist is thick)
Tummy control
They stay up
Can feel dressier because it adds sophistication
Cons of High Rise:
Super high rise can be challenging for short waisted ladies, especially with a large bust
Can feel restrictive if the denim is rigid
How to Measure the Rise You Already Own
Use what you already own as data. What pants do you have that you LOVE!? Find their rise and see how it measures up. Let them be your guide for future purchases.
How To Measure the Rise:
Lay your pants flat on a table or bed.
Find the crotch seam (where the legs meet).
Measure straight up to the top edge of the waistband.
Compare your measurement to the chart above.
Once you know your “sweet spot,” you can check product descriptions online for that measurement. No more gambling on where the waistband will land.
How Pant Rise Impacts Your Outfit
Low Rise works best with longer tops for balance or a more casual, easygoing feel.
Mid Rise is the most versatile, you can wear it with almost anything.
High Rise shines when you tuck, half-tuck, or wear shorter tops that let the waistband show.
Low Rise in 2025 — Should You Try It?
Fashion is cyclical, and low rise is having a moment again. If you want to experiment without fully revisiting the Britney Spears era, look for:
Relaxed, wide-leg trousers with a low rise.
Slouchy jeans styled with an intentional belt.
Tailored low-rise pants with longer blazers for coverage.
It’s not about recreating 2003, it’s about using the trend in a modern, wearable way.
Shop Pants by Rise
Shop Low Rise (8"–9.5")
Shop Mid Rise (9.5"–11")
Shop High Rise (11"–13")
Jeans that are Great for Everyone
These are pairs that I have personally seen to be universally flattering.
Final Takeaway
Ignore the label on the tag and look at the number in inches. That’s your best friend when shopping online (or even in-store). Measure a pair you already love, find your personal rise range, and stick to it. Because when your pants fit exactly where you want them to hit? Everything else in your outfit just works.