Low-rise pants, also known as hip huggers, have a shorter distance from crotch to waist than standard pants. They were popularized by rock icons in the 1960s, replaced by high-rise pants in the 1970s, and made a comeback in the mid-90s. They are often worn with midriff-baring tops and come in various styles and fabrics.
Low rise pants are often called hip huggers because the waist band hits at or just below the hips. The distance from the crotch to the waist in a pair of pants is known as the rise. Standard pants have a rise of approximately 11 inches (28 cm). Low-rise pants reduce this average measurement to about 7 inches (18 cm), with some just 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10 cm) from crotch to waist.
The counterculture of the 1960s brought the first incarnation of hipster trousers, often worn with paisley-print lightweight cotton tops or Nehru-collared jackets. Rock idols like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and Robert Plant made low hoods synonymous with cool. By the late 1970s, disco was replacing rock n’ roll in popular culture with high-rise pants replacing hip huggers. Wide flared pants gradually gave way to straight-leg jeans in the 1980s pop scene, with commercial designers like Gloria Vanderbilt and Calvin Klein leading the way.
By the mid-’90s, it was time for a change yet again, and the low rise returned with a vengeance, as did the bottom of the hood. While Vogue magazine reportedly declared the trend back in May 2002, the public still hasn’t lost their taste for the style. Low-rise pants are as popular as ever, usually worn with a midriff-baring cropped or tube top. Due to the revealing style, these pants aren’t flattering on all figures, though that hasn’t affected their consistent popularity, especially among teens.
Cropped pants can be found in all sizes and styles. The low-rise capri pants button up to the mid-calf and come in cottons and lightweight khakis, perfect for the spring and summer months. The dressiest styles can be found in classic black, brown, or gray woven fabric with slash pockets and a hook-and-loop waist band. The casual pants are available in denim, linen, blends, and stretch cotton, and can be paired with stylish shoes, coats, and cummerbunds for fall and winter.
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