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Courtesy of Todd Snyder

9 Best High-Waisted Pants That Look Great on Everyone

Yes, even you.

By

You know the saying: When everyone else goes low, go high? While that specific phrase may have been referring to taking the high road, we like to take it literally with regard to our pants. High-waisted pants, that is. This style of trousers is on the rise (sorry, had to) in 2024 and should be every man’s new, must-have closet essential.

High-waisted pants themselves aren’t new—they first came onto the scene in the 1940s when Levi’s produced jeans for women during the war effort—but their popularity lost traction over time, and other rises, like mid and low, became the new norm. Now they’re back and, might we say, better than ever.

  • Refined Pleated Stretch Chino

    Best Classic High-Waisted Pants

    Bonobos Refined Pleated Stretch Chino

    $99 at Bonobos
    Read more
  • Japanese Loomstate Selvedge Full Saddle Jean

    Best Denim High-Waisted Pants

    Buck Mason Japanese Loomstate Selvedge Full Saddle Jean

    Read more
  • Fresco High Rise Trousers

    Best Pleated High-Waisted Pants

    Spier & Mackay Fresco High Rise Trousers

    Read more
  • Gurkha Trouser

    Best Vintage-Inspired High-Waisted Pants

    Todd Snyder Gurkha Trouser

    Read more
  • Original 874 Work Pants

    Best Affordable High-Waisted Pants

    Dickies Original 874 Work Pants

    Read more



Believe us, we know this style of pants can be intimidating. But it’s helpful to know that high-rise just refers to the length of the crotch seam to the top of the pants. You can breathe a sigh of relief that they actually sit at your natural waist right above the belly button, which helps make your legs look longer and your torso look leaner. And if you’re still not convinced, hopefully this list of the nine best pairs will get you there.

Best Classic High-Waisted Pants

Bonobos Refined Pleated Stretch Chino

Refined Pleated Stretch Chino
Best Classic High-Waisted Pants

Bonobos Refined Pleated Stretch Chino

Now 38% Off
$99 at Bonobos
Pros
  • Can be dressed up or down
  • Machine-washable
Cons
  • Can run small

It’s no surprise that a pair of high-waisted chinos by Bonobos made the list—when it comes to pants, these guys do it right. Style the bottoms with either a blazer or a crisp dress shirt for a sophisticated (and, dare we say, sexy?) fit.

Waist Sizes33-36
Colors
Materials97% Cotton, 3% Elastane
FitStraight
Best Denim High-Waisted Pants

Buck Mason Japanese Loomstate Selvedge Full Saddle Jean

Japanese Loomstate Selvedge Full Saddle Jean
Best Denim High-Waisted Pants

Buck Mason Japanese Loomstate Selvedge Full Saddle Jean

Pros
  • Available in multiple colors
  • Made in USA
  • Copper rivets and a metal tack button fly
Cons
  • Sell out quickly

Your ass (and the rest of the world) will thank you for this pair of high-waisted denim. An ode to the bold style of the ’90s, it’s inspired by vintage shrink-to-fit jeans and has an organic texture that develops more character with every wear.

Waist Sizes29-38
Colors3
MaterialsJapanese Selvedge Denim
FitStraight
Best Pleated High-Waisted Pants

Spier & Mackay Fresco High Rise Trousers

Fresco High Rise Trousers
Best Pleated High-Waisted Pants

Spier & Mackay Fresco High Rise Trousers

Pros
  • Side-tab adjusters on waistband
  • Unique Air Force blue color
Cons
  • Dry-clean only

These trousers look as good on the clock as they do after-hours, and you can wear them just about anywhere. (Trust us, our editors have.) Designed with breathable, wrinkle-resistant fabric, they’re the ultimate grab-and-go option.

Waist Sizes28-41
Colors
Materials100% Wool
FitSlim
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Best Vintage-Inspired High-Waisted Pants

Todd Snyder Gurkha Trouser

Gurkha Trouser
Best Vintage-Inspired High-Waisted Pants

Todd Snyder Gurkha Trouser

Pros
  • Adjustable side tags
  • Available in a wide variety of sizes
  • Rugged but still refined
Cons
  • Sell out quickly

Now, these are what we’re talking about. Inspired by a vintage British military style, this pair of Todd Snyder pants is breathable, durable, and comfortable—basically the blueprint of what high-waisted trousers should be.

Waist Sizes26-38
Colors3
Materials97% Cotton, 3% Elastane
FitRelaxed
Best Affordable High-Waisted Pants

Dickies Original 874 Work Pants

Original 874 Work Pants
Best Affordable High-Waisted Pants

Dickies Original 874 Work Pants

Pros
  • Wrinkle-resistant
  • Stain-resistant
  • Available in big-and-tall sizing
Cons
  • Can run large

Dickies is known for its no-nonsense approach to functional workwear, and this pair of high-waisted trousers just might be America’s favorite thing to wear to the office. Timeless, durable, and sleek, these best-sellers look just as good with sneakers as they do with loafers.

Waist Sizes28-58
Colors23
Materials8.5 oz. 65% Polyester/35% Cotton Twill
FitRelaxed
Best Luxe High-Waisted Pants

Suit Supply Belted Sortino Pants

Belted Sortino Pants
Best Luxe High-Waisted Pants

Suit Supply Belted Sortino Pants

Pros
  • Sustainably made
  • Crafted in Italy
  • Versatile and stylish
Cons
  • Limited colors available

Picture this: You’re sitting on a patio on the Amalfi Coast, lounging in these beautifully draped cotton pants and blissfully drinking an Aperol spritz. While you may actually be scrolling through this list at your 9-to-5, it doesn’t hurt to dream, and this type of pants will let you do just that.

Waist Sizes26-44
Colors2
Materials100% Cotton
FitRelaxed
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Best Lightweight High-Waisted Pants

Everlane The Pleated Air Chino

The Pleated Air Chino
Best Lightweight High-Waisted Pants

Everlane The Pleated Air Chino

Pros
  • High-quality materials
  • Machine-washable
  • Transparent pricing
Cons
  • Can run large

If you want to look stylish this summer while also staying cool, add these high-waisted chinos to your cart immediately. Crafted with lightweight organic cotton, they’re perfect for the warmer weather and won’t let the heat cramp your style.

Waist Sizes28-40
Colors4
Materials98% Organic Cotton, 2% Elastane
FitTapered
Best Silk-Lined High Waisted Pants

Saint Laurent High-Waisted Pants

High-Waisted Pants
Best Silk-Lined High Waisted Pants

Saint Laurent High-Waisted Pants

Pros
  • Two concealed side pockets
  • Elevate any fit
Cons
  • Shipping times vary

When you think of high-waisted pants, your mind probably jumps to Urkel from Family Matters, right? And though he did rock the hell out of his trousers, these Saint Laurent pants are a far cry from what the nerd next door would wear.

Waist Sizes36-44
MaterialsSilk Lining
Colors
FitStraight
Best Fashion-Forward High-Waisted Pants

Helmut Lang Men’s High-Rise Trousers

Men’s High-Rise Trousers
Best Fashion-Forward High-Waisted Pants

Helmut Lang Men’s High-Rise Trousers

Pros
  • Intricate detailing
  • Run true to size
Cons
  • Dry-clean only

Helmut Lang is a global force in fashion, creating minimalist, utilitarian designs inspired by cultural landmarks. The brand’s high-rise wool trousers are a tribute to the spirit of N.Y.C. and are guaranteed to stop traffic from Park Avenue to Houston Street. (Just remember the yellow ones will hit you.)

Waist Sizes29-38
Colors
Materials100% Virgin Wool
FitSlim
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Why You Should Trust Us

shape, rectangle

We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great.

Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams. When it comes to high-waisted pants, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our fashionable colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear.

We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these high-waisted pants are the ones that are simply the best. Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to start.

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