Fun fact: I haven’t bought a pair of low-rise jeans since 2010.

Don’t get me wrong; a low-slung pant will always scream crazysexycool to me, but the effortless femininity of a high waist has ruled my heart for the last five years.

A staple in every great modern (and vintage!) wardrobe, the high-waisted jean is a timeless piece that every sartorially obsessed college student should own. However, here at College Fashion, we understand how difficult it can be to find the perfect pair– especially when you’re inundated with lots of options.

{RELATED POST: The Best High-Waisted Jeans Outfit Ideas & Styling Tips}

So, down below is a compilation of tip, tricks, and techniques that’ll guarantee you the best pair of high-waisted jeans.

Table of Contents

The Lingo

Proper denim terminology can often be a confusing jumble of rises and runs, inseams and ripped seams, and various fits and cuts that come together to create the perfect pair. Here’s a quick rundown of words and phrases you need to know before you go out shopping.

Leg Opening

The leg opening of a pair of jeans is exactly what it sounds like– the width of the bottom hem. The most common denim leg openings are wide, flare, boot-cut, straight, and skinny.

Currently, the reigning champion of high-waisted denim is most definitely the skinny jean. But recently, the flare jean has seen an impressive resurgence among fashion trendsetters.

Inseam

The inseam of a pant is essentially the inside (inside/inseam) length of the leg. It is measured from the crotch to the hem of the jeans. Many brands offer jeans with various inseams to accommodate shorter and taller girls.

Rise

Rise is, by far, the single most important factor in pair of high-waisted jeans. It’s what gives them a high waist! Simply put– the rise in a pair of pants is how far up your torso they sit. It is measured from the center seam of the crotch to the top of the front waistband.