{"id":868404,"date":"2026-08-25T23:54:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T23:54:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/868404\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T23:54:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T23:54:17","slug":"low-rise-pants-return-styling-tips-for-grown-ups-as-the-2000s-fashion-trend-makes-a-comeback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/868404\/","title":{"rendered":"Low rise pants return: Styling tips for grown-ups as the 2000s fashion trend makes a comeback"},"content":{"rendered":"

For those of us who lived through the early \u201900s, fashion is in a confronting era, with many of the hallmark trends of two decades ago \u2013 from lace-trimmed camisoles<\/a> to boho<\/a> to capri pants<\/a> \u2013 firmly back in the zeitgeist.<\/p>\n

But, undoubtedly, the most divisive and daunting of these comeback kids is the low-rise pant. Yes, the waistbands that terrorised our hips (and, often, pelvic regions) are back, and Millennials<\/a> and Gen Xers<\/a> don\u2019t know how to feel about it.<\/p>\n

\"Keira<\/p>\n

2003 called, and it wants its hipbone-gripping waistbands back.\u00a0Getty<\/p>\n

Chrissy Teigen<\/a> captured this uncertainty in a recent Instagram video, asking her followers, \u201cHas the low-rise ship sailed for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am late on this, but… I am a high-rise girl, but I\u2019m liking low now. Is that cool? I\u2019m 40, don\u2019t forget, I\u2019m 40,\u201d she wondered out loud as she toyed with a pair of black trousers.<\/p>\n

Moving the pants to sit high on the waist, she said, \u201cIs this me?\u201d before sliding them down to her hips and asking, \u201cOr is this me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Chrissy<\/p>\n

\u201cHas the low-rise ship sailed for me? … I\u2019m 40, don\u2019t forget,\u201d Chrissy Teigen said as she pondered revisiting the trend.\u00a0Instagram<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the dilemma many of us now face as we contemplate revisiting a trend from our teens and 20s. <\/p>\n

Are we really doing this again? Can low-rise pants even feel \u201cgrown-up\u201d? Can we shake off the haunting memories and learn to love them all these years later? <\/p>\n

We took our questions to personal stylist Melissa Murgana<\/a>, aka @MelissaGotStyle<\/a>, who readily admits she \u201cwas witness to and wore\u201d the trend the first time around.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still have my low-rise, butt-crack-hitting\u00a0Bettina Liano jeans and Sass and Bide denim shorts,\u201d the Melbourne-based stylist tells nine.com.au.<\/p>\n

\"Olivia<\/p>\n

Olivia Wilde, 42, rocked a pair of white low-rise skinny jeans at a recent premiere.\u00a0AP<\/p>\n

From conversations she\u2019s had with clients, Murgana believes the hesitation over revisiting lower waistbands all these years later is twofold.<\/p>\n

She says for many women, the physical changes that come with growing up, be they from having children, bloating or conditions like endometriosis, are part of it: \u201c[Some] clients don\u2019t have the confidence to carry off a low rise, as it doesn\u2019t offer the tummy support they feel they need this time around.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other factor is comfort, which Murgana says is now the \u201cnumber one thing\u201d people want from their clothing, especially post-COVID.<\/p>\n

\"Paris<\/p>\n

Will waistbands go this low again? Watch this space.\u00a0WireImage<\/p>\n

\u201cOften a low rise needs more adjusting, and clients simply aren\u2019t willing to compromise comfort for that or any fashion trend.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re still feeling game, read on for Murgana\u2019s tips for styling a low-rise pant in 2026.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s different this time<\/p>\n

According to the stylist, we\u2019re taking a more mindful approach to the look when compared to its 2000s halcyon days.<\/p>\n

\u201c[People] are far more conscious than back then in terms of how they spend their money, the versatility [they] are looking for in the pieces they buy and wear, and\u00a0tendency for comfort to be a key non-negotiable in purchasing,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think many see low rise as not comfy [and] requiring too much fuss, and are thinking about moving in them and feel they\u2019ve been there, done that.\u201d<\/p>\n

When it comes to styling the look for 2026, Murgana suggests keeping proportions in mind, noting a lot of the low-slung trousers available now are relaxed and have a slouchier fit that sits off the hips.<\/p>\n

\u201c[So] thinking about balancing the relaxation with something less relaxed in fit achieves a modern look and feel,\u201d she says, using the example of teaming a fitted baby tee with low-rise pants.<\/p>\n

Making it feel \u2018grown up\u2019<\/p>\n

Murgana says in our 30s, 40s and beyond, career and motherhood tend to be at the forefront of our lives, and we want our wardrobes to reflect this \u2013 which might explain why low-rise pants feel at odds with these life stages.<\/p>\n

\"Michelle<\/p>\n

The White Lotus star Michelle Monaghan, 50, has embraced the lower waistband look.\u00a0Getty<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also the mindset shift of moving from one wardrobe silhouette to something different.<\/p>\n

\u201cA low rise may involve more thought in terms of what tops to go with, or what footwear, so they put it into the too hard basket and stick with a rise they are more\u00a0comfortable with,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo\u00a0feel grown up, maybe try styling with a collared jacket or trench coat, a piece that\u2019s more classic to balance the trend element.\u201d<\/p>\n

Similarly, Murgana says low-slung styles can \u201cabsolutely\u201d work for the office and work environments.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could look at a wide leg, tapered or a barrel leg shape silhouette that provides a hint of volume to feel more polished for the workplace,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Then, of course, there\u2019s the issue of the midriff. Baring your bellybutton was all well and good at those 2004 high school house parties, but the office is a different story, so your selection of top is key.<\/p>\n

\"Anne<\/p>\n

Anne Hathaway bared her growing baby bump with a pair of low-slung jeans.\u00a0Getty<\/p>\n

\u201cA hip-height button-down cardigan, shirting or a knitted polo are smart suggestions to master the longer proportion required,\u201d Murgana says.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink about adding some structure to the work outfits, like teaming [your pants] with a blazer or boxy tote.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t overlook your footwear, either. Murgana suggests a pointed slingback, either flat or with a heel, or a structured loafer or boot as the best way to make your trousers feel more office-appropriate.<\/p>\n

\"Lindsay<\/p>\n

One last 2000s throwback (or jumpscare?) before we go.\u00a0Getty<\/p>\n

Is that the end of high-rise, then?<\/p>\n

Can\u2019t bear the thought of life without your beloved high-rise pants? Murgana is here to reassure you the style isn\u2019t going anywhere. (All together now: phew.)<\/p>\n

\u201cPlenty of women feel supported in a more high rise [pant], so it\u2019s more than a trend now as it\u2019s being hanging around for more than a season or two,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\u201cHigh rise is now a mainstream characteristic of clothing, and the majority of brands carry it, so women feel like it\u2019s an adopted movement nowadays.\u201d<\/p>\n

Murgana says the more important considerations when pant shopping are your shape, torso length, comfort level, personal style and what you feel good in, rather than what\u2019s trendy.<\/p>\n

\"Stock<\/p>\n

Always try on jeans before you write them off based on how the tag describes the rise of the waistband.\u00a0iStock<\/p>\n

Also, don\u2019t always believe what the label says: not all low- or high-rises are made equal.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll often say to clients that you can\u2019t always look at the description of a garment as a guide,\u201d she continues.<\/p>\n

\u201cOften they will reference \u2018mid-rise\u2019 or \u2018high-rise\u2019, and that\u2019s often not a truthful reflection … because they will sit differently on every body.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s often up to interpretation, as there a \u2018mild high rise\u2019 and \u2018super high rise\u2019, so use the zip and crotch length as a visual, more than what the tag says.\u201d<\/p>\n