Low Rise Jeans: A Revolution or a Revulsion
Image Courtesy: Strike FSU
Popularized by rock sensations like Mick Jagger and fashion icons like Alexander McQueen in the mid ‘90s and since their more public inception by Levi Strauss & Co. in 2000, these controversial hip-bone grazing pieces – the top of which lay only about three inches below the belly button – were the sh*t in the ‘00s. Their ability to showcase a “tasteful” amount of “bum cleavage” quickly became a craze and apparent staple for moguls like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.
As we experience a resurge in the Y2K – shorthand for the year 2000 – fashion movement marked by the turn of the millennium, we have also experienced the re-popularization of saddle bags, bandanas, button-up cardigans, butterfly clips, baby tees, biker shorts, chunky chain jewelry, colorful eye-makeup looks, detailed camis, tennis skirts, tiny sunglasses, and to the dismay of many, low-rise jeans. If you’re anything like me, you’ve grown more than comfortable sporting high-rise or even super high-rise denim (shout out Levi’s Ribcage Jeans) on the daily. This resurge in low-rise may feel forced and arguably problematic. Not only do low-risers notoriously cut at the hip, resulting in a rational fear of muffin top, but they also run the risk of propagating the once prominent “bum cleavage” fiasco. For many, these styles, as they were popular in the late ‘90s and ‘00s, simply are not body-type inclusive and may bring up unnecessary feelings of dissatisfaction when seen hugging the trim hips of supermodels. The dreaded combination of itsy-bitsy tees and barely there, or worse yet, lace-up low-rises is enough to make the even trendiest Y2Ker shed a tear from the brim of their tiny sunglasses. More comparable yet were the restrictive tight leg of mid-rise skinny jeans popular throughout the ‘10s; the consideration of which becomes a battle between the lesser of two denim devils. And, as bad as it sounds, I cannot say that I would be willing to revert back to the era of Abercrombie & Fitch or Hollister skinny jeans reminiscent of my middle school years.
On a more hopeful note, social media platforms like Instagram or Pinterest are marked by more wearable versions of these Y2k staples that may actually make trending low-rise denim a more practical possibility for people of varying size, shape and style; especially considering the comfortable craze for billowy streetwear. So, the question now is, is low-rise or not to low-rise? Are they totally hot or totally not? The answers to which will likely reveal themselves with the progression of the year 2000 movement within coming years and should, in this Striker’s opinion, stem from whatever makes you feel most confident. After all, high-rise denim and body positivity will never go out of style.
Strike Out,
Writer: Grace Castilow
Editor: Joey Flanagan
Graphic: Emily Boden
Tallahassee