Have you heard of low-rise jeans? Like all jeans, they are denim trousers in which the weft thread goes under two or more warp threads. Low-rise jeans are simply distinguished from all other jeans by their rise. They sit lower on the waist when worn, resulting in a unique style. Even if you’re familiar with this style, though, there are probably some things about low-rise jeans that you don’t know.
#1) Popularized in the 1970s
Low-rise jeans were popularized in the 1970s. During this time, famous musicians and celebrities began wearing them, some of whom included Jim Morrison of the Doors and Robert Plant of Led Zepplin. This introduced millions of people to low-rise jeans. It wasn’t long before the general public began wearing them, thus creating a new fashion trend.
Throughout the 1970s, low-rise jeans remained popular. They were part of the disco scene. Disco dangers would often wear low-rise jeans. Low-rise jeans had been around for a few decades prior to this time, but they were popularized in the 1970s.
#2) Preceded By Hip-Huggers
Before low-rise jeans were invented, there were hip-huggers. Designed by American fashion executive Irene Kasmer, hip-huggers were close-fitted jeans that sit relatively low on the waist. They weren’t necessarily low-rise jeans. While low-rise jeans sit about 3 inches below the naval, hip huggers sit higher on the waist. Regardless, hip-huggers still shared many of the same characteristics as low-rise jeans.
It’s believed that hip-huggers paved the way for low-rise jeans. Hip-huggers still had a relatively low rise — just not as low as their low-rise counterparts. As more and more people began to wear them, hip-huggers eventually led to the creation of low-rise jeans.
#3) Available in Ultra Low-Rise
There are standard low-rise jeans, and there are ultra low-rise jeans. Ultra low-rise jeans are characterized by a very low rise. The rise, of course, refers to where jeans sit or rest on the waist when worn. High-rise jeans sit high on the waist when worn. Low-rise jeans sit low on the waist when worn. As previously mentioned, most low-rise jeans are designed to sit about 3 inches below the naval when worn. Ultra low-rise jeans, though, sit even lower on the waist when worn.
Ultra low-rise jeans are the same as low-rise jeans; the only difference is that they sit lower on the waist when worn. If you prefer the look of this time-tested fashion trend, you may want to invest in a pair of ultra low-rise jeans. Not only are they stylish, but most people will agree that they are super comfortable to wear as well.
#4) Regained Popularity in the 1990s
While they were popularized in the 1970s, low-rise jeans didn’t remain popular. Like many fashion trends, they faded in the following years. People began to switch from low-rise jeans to skinny and straight-leg jeans in the 1980s. This was partially attributed to the fact that skinny and straight-leg jeans were more appropriate for the workplace. But low-rise jeans regained their popularity in the 1990s.
Fashion designer Alexander McQueen is credited with bringing back low-rise jeans in the 1990s. While debuting a fashion line at one of his shows, McQueen revealed a pair of low-rise jeans. This helped to bring back low-rise jeans by introducing them to the general public once again. Low-rise jeans have since remained popular. You can now find them available for sale at countless clothing stores, both local and online, throughout the world.
#5) Available in Plain and Stretch Denim
You can find low-rise jeans available in plain denim and stretch denim. Plain denim is the most common material in which they are made. It’s a type of durable cotton-based material in which the weft thread passes under two or more warp threads. All jeans, including low-rise jeans, were originally made of plain denim. It wasn’t until the late 1970s when stretch denim emerged as an alternative to plain denim.
Today, many jeans are available in plain denim and stretch denim. You can find medium-rise and high-rise jeans available in these materials, and you can find low-rise jeans available in these materials. Stretch denim is still a durable cotton-based material, but it contains a small amount of an elastic material like polyester or lycra. Even with just 2% or 3% lycra, stretch denim becomes more elastic. You can stretch it without breaking or performantly deforming it.
When made of stretch denim, low-rise jeans offer the following benefits:
- Increased comfort
- Protection from damage
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Softer texture
- More forgiving in regards to the size
#6) Offer a Classic Style
You can rest assured knowing that low-rise jeans offer a classic style. They’ve been around for over a half-century. Low-rise jeans were invented in the 1960s, and they were popularized in the 1970s. Because they’ve been around for such a long time, low-rise jeans offer a classic style.
Other styles of jeans may fail to weather the hands of time. Some styles may fade over the years. A particular style might be popular this year, only to fall from popularity next year. This isn’t an issue with low-rise jeans. Low-rise jeans offer a classic, time-tested style that’s here to stay.
#7) Not All the Same
Not all low-rise jeans are the same. While they do, in fact, sit lower on the waist than other types of jeans, there are different types of low-rise jeans.
Some low-rise jeans feature a boot-cut opening. Boot-cut means that the bottom of the pant legs are wider than the rest of the pant legs. With wide bottoms, you can wear them over the top of your boots. Other low-rise jeans feature a straight-fit design in which the legs run straight from the top to the bottom. Regardless, you shouldn’t assume that all low-rise jeans are the same. There are dozens of different types of low-rise jeans, each of which offers a different appearance and fit.
