Advice on pants rise

[pixelsmith]

I'm in a pickle.

According to what I've Googled, my pants should sit just below my belly button. Like one inch.

But this requires a waist tightness that makes my stomach feel uncomfortable. It's bearable when I stand but not when I sit. Feels like it's cutting into my waist a bit, and some belly hangs over like a muffin top.

So I go for a more relaxed waist tightness, which naturally falls and sits more like low rise jeans. This goes for jeans, drawstring pants, smart trousers, joggers, shorts, the lot.

It's comfy and I can sit in them all day, but I worry it doesn't look so good. A bit baggy. Especially if the pants are designed to sit just under the belly button.

So: proper rise and discomfort, or loose trousers and comfort. I can't find the goldilocks pants that solve this conundrum.

Am I worrying about nothing?

For reference, I am 1.7m tall (5ft 7) and 64kg (10stone). I usually wear small size clothing and wear a 77cm (30 inch) waist. I'm about 16% body fat, though the fairly little fat I have does tend to be around my belly (I used to be 90KG/14 stone).

 

[paxonus]

That is exactly what suspenders (braces) are for. You can wear a looser waist size and keep the trousers at the proper height. For jeans and khakis, go with a lower rise.

 

[pixelsmith]

Interesting - I hadn't thought of that as a solution!

With that said, I think 90% of my sartorial setups might look a little odd with braces. I veer very much towards the casual.

 

[KOz]

This is a question only you can answer since it pertains to your willingness to suffer discomfort for certain aesthetics. It's hard to give stylistic advice without any visual reference. Perhaps lower rise suits you and your style. In which case the whole point is moot.

 

[pixelsmith]

Good point! Let me take a bunch of photos with a pair of trousers - drawstring hybrid smart/casual from Reiss.

This is a question only you can answer since it pertains to your willingness to suffer discomfort for certain aesthetics. It's hard to give stylistic advice without any visual reference. Perhaps lower rise suits you and your style. In which case the whole point is moot.

 

[pixelsmith]

Sitting low

 

[Mr Tickle]

I think those are low-rise pants that are supposed to sit just above your hips (like most casual jeans etc). Definitely the pics where they are lower look more natural. You have to buy pants that are designed to sit high if you want to wear them high, otherwise they just look like you've hoisted them up and they will definitely feel uncomfortable.
Proper high-rise pants will be cut in a way so they will sit higher and feel that's the natural place for them.
You can also get mid-rise if that's a better natural fit for you!

Generally speaking, mainstream/mall brands don't always specify what rise they are supposed to be and they just assume that they will be worn low, as that's how jeans/chinos/cargo pants have traditionally been worn in recent decades. More dressy, "menswear" brands (the sort of brands people talk about on here, Drakes, Spiers & Mackay etc) are more likely to be cut to be worn high. From what I know, higher-rise casual pants haven't really been the mainstream fashion for a while (fifty years ago it was a different matter) but they are getting more popular now so there are more of them about.

(And yeah, don't wear braces with casual outfits unless you are going for a very specific kind of vintage/skinhead look, or something, which you probably aren't. They are usually for dress pants worn as part of a suit).

 

[pixelsmith]

I think those are low-rise pants that are supposed to sit just above your hips (like most casual jeans etc). Definitely the pics where they are lower look more natural. You have to buy pants that are designed to sit high if you want to wear them high, otherwise they just look like you've hoisted them up and they will definitely feel uncomfortable.
Proper high-rise pants will be cut in a way so they will sit higher and feel that's the natural place for them.
You can also get mid-rise if that's a better natural fit for you!

Generally speaking, mainstream/mall brands don't always specify what rise they are supposed to be and they just assume that they will be worn low, as that's how jeans/chinos/cargo pants have traditionally been worn in recent decades. More dressy, "menswear" brands (the sort of brands people talk about on here, Drakes, Spiers & Mackay etc) are more likely to be cut to be worn high. From what I know, higher-rise casual pants haven't really been the mainstream fashion for a while (fifty years ago it was a different matter) but they are getting more popular now so there are more of them about.

(And yeah, don't wear braces with casual outfits unless you are going for a very specific kind of vintage/skinhead look, or something, which you probably aren't. They are usually for dress pants worn as part of a suit).

This is a super helpful reply, thank you!

 

[William Kazak]

I have found that Lands End long rise classic fitting chinos have worked well for me in the past. I like them pleated and cuffed. Lately, I have gone to Orvis Ultimate Kakis, pleated. The rise is quite sufficiently long for me. IMHO.

 

[rjc149]

I'm in a pickle.

According to what I've Googled, my pants should sit just below my belly button. Like one inch.

But this requires a waist tightness that makes my stomach feel uncomfortable.

I too find that trouser rise that sits above the hips just below the navel give me stomach cramps. I'm fairly trim so if I don't tighten them with a belt, they will fall down.

I dabbled with the high-rise renaissance and after realizing that they are not actually more comfortable, but less, decided to stick with mid-rise trousers that sit on the hip bones.

 

[jamie411]

I figured out years ago when I had a vintage suit from my dad that was high-waisted that my body isn’t built for high-waisted trousers. They’re unflattering in that they either fit me at my widest point with suspenders (but make me look fatter by accentuating my widest point) or fall to my natural waist just above my hips (creating a dropped crotch, dumpy butt scenario).

I’ve found trousers with 10.5”-11” rise work best for where my natural waist is and where I carry any extra weight. They’re far more flattering than any high-waisted pants I’ve ever tried. Sadly they’re not necessarily “traditional” or even “on trend” with the return of high-waisted trousers, but they’re still classic. Not low and not high.

Hopefully OP can find what works for him - and it may not be high-waisted trousers.

 

[volcanotristate]

I use braces. If casual i wear a sweater vest or waistcoat to hide them.

 

[youwinatlife]

So relatable!
I love the style of higher rise pants, that goes for casual chinos and jeans too, but over 2020 and 2021, perhaps because I was spending more time sitting (and possibly putting on a little weight at the same time) I was feeling less and less comfortable and noticing my waistband (or belt) digging into my gut.

Some pants have a split waistband at the back. I think that gives your pants a little more give when you sit, although your belt might counteract this. I actually started just going around with my top button undone! I wish this was normal, as it honestly just ticked every box for me. I got my high-rise pants with a flattering fit, and just a little give in the waistband!

I've been thinking about pants that give a little more comfort at the front - the rise for me would be around 11.5 inches - but still sit up higher at the back. The trade off isn't just a more casual look, it's also a bit of plumbers crack if you're working with a shirt or t-shirt that's untucked. The rear rise needs to be over 16.5 inches - but this is not normally done and might look sort of weird if the front rise is too low in comparison.

 

[William Kazak]

So relatable!
I love the style of higher rise pants, that goes for casual chinos and jeans too, but over 2020 and 2021, perhaps because I was spending more time sitting (and possibly putting on a little weight at the same time) I was feeling less and less comfortable and noticing my waistband (or belt) digging into my gut.

Some pants have a split waistband at the back. I think that gives your pants a little more give when you sit, although your belt might counteract this. I actually started just going around with my top button undone! I wish this was normal, as it honestly just ticked every box for me. I got my high-rise pants with a flattering fit, and just a little give in the waistband!

I've been thinking about pants that give a little more comfort at the front - the rise for me would be around 11.5 inches - but still sit up higher at the back. The trade off isn't just a more casual look, it's also a bit of plumbers crack if you're working with a shirt or t-shirt that's untucked. The rear rise needs to be over 16.5 inches - but this is not normally done and might look sort of weird if the front rise is too low in comparison.

Talk about analyzing a situation! My gosh. I had been wearing Lands End long rise pants for years. My waist has expanded to a size 40 trousers. So, after deliberation and noticing their current Chino's offerings, I have transitioned to Orvis Ultimate Kakis for my Chino's in size 40. Their rise is very similar. I have a rack of size 38 and 36 Land's End and a rack of size 40 Orvis Ultimate Kakis. I am working out now, fasting and being careful with my diet so I anticipate being able to fit into my 38 size again. 36 seems a long way off at the moment.