When it comes to jeans, it’s always a question of how low you should go. Given how widespread the trouser style truly is—you’d honestly be hard pressed to find a well-edited wardrobe that doesn’t feature at least one pair—it sometimes feels like the options are endless. But whether you love them or hate them, low-rise jeans are certainly gaining momentum, and the silhouette’s adherents certainly make a compelling case for why you should invest in a pair.

A staple of the early 2000s where hip-bone-baring pants were at an all-time high, low-rise jeans were relegated to the annals of Y2K fashion for the better half of the decade before being resuscitated by legions of off-duty supermodels, nascent Gen Z style icons and even everyday shoppers who can’t help but seek bottoms that cut off before the small of their backs. And who can blame them? When you have poster girls like global pop sensation Katseye in that viral Gap denim, Olivia Dean in heeled boots and an oversized Bottega Veneta bag or Hailey Bieber in softly-slung and slouchy iterations, a persuasive argument in favour of the divisive style is to be had.

Speaking to Leighanne Jones, the senior creative director at leading bohemian retailer and certified denim destination Free People, she explains to me that the appeal of low-rise jeans lies in the fact that they’re “a classic style marked by an untraditional twist”. Through “unexpected proportions”, as Jones puts it, the style offers a fresh and directional take on denim that’s unexpected, a little cooler and far more effortless.

It’s these exact qualities that resonate with so many Who What Wear UK editors, with a number of my chicest colleagues gravitating towards the shape. As someone who is slightly trepidatious about denim at the best of times, let alone feeling comfortable in a low-rise, I sought out their expert recommendations for the best styles to shop, given the plethora of enviable options available has piqued my interest.

One of the things I noticed most from this exercise is just how universal low-rise jeans could be. I initially had written off the style, thinking they would only resonate with Blumarine Barbies, Hypebeasts or E-Girls. However, with the spectrum of my co-worker’s personal styles being quite broad, I simply adored how they’ve taken the crop in stride and tailored it to their own sense of dress, be it more classic and minimalistic or ornate and maximalist.

This is something Jones resonates with, too. “Feeling comfortable in your [low-rise jeans] is all about styling,” she notes. “This season, it’s about outfitting around your denim, playing with proportions, exploring volume and fresh fabrications,” she continues.

With this renaissance only heating up, it’s time to acquaint yourself with the best low-rise jeans available. Hand-picked from our own wardrobe, along with a few additional styles of note, uncover the pieces that’ve earned our endorsements, hips and all.

The 6 Best Low-Rise Jeans for Women in 2026

1. Reformation Elora Super Stretch Low Rise Bootcut Jeans

Style Notes: “As a dedicated denim wearer, I’ve tried on hundreds of jeans in my time. But I’ve mostly steered clear of low-waist styles. Growing up in the ’90s, my idea of low-waist was the very dramatic low-slung version, but it’s clear that the 2026 styles are far more wearable.