H'wood Party Girl
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MORE PHOTOS +Saying Hi to High Party Pants
Trevor Kent/INFGoff.com, Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com, Nancy Kaszerman/ZUMA Press
The high-waisted pant has had its ups and downs. In the 1940s, it allowed actresses like Marlene Dietrich to achieve a glamorous menswear style, and then in the '70s, it gave stars like Farrah Fawcett the chance to develop California cazh. But who can forget (though we've sure tried) the tapered '80s versions that made even that decade's glamazon models look like they had a pooch?
Well, they're back again—but thankfully, this time around, the high waist has been reincarnated in a way that flatters both today's skinny minnies and curvelicious cuties. "When people think of high waist they think of mom jeans," says Anlo denim designer Jenna Andreola. "But now, designers are making jeans more flattering and more universal." Case in point: With variation, the styles work on all ages and body types, from curvier Mary J. Blige to superskinny America's Next Top Model winner Jaslene Gonzales—both of whom have been going high at bashes on the East Coast.
Even out West, fall's cooler temps have caused many party girls to cover up with high-waisted denim. While celebs like Kim Kardashian (who just wore a pair two weeks ago at an Intermix party) have stylists to find the perfect fit, you can just follow Jenna's advice.The denim guru suggests opting for wider-leg bottoms to balance out curves and hide flaws. Once you decide on a style, remember the purpose of the high waist is to make yours look tiny. So, keep shirts tucked and jackets cropped. It's also important to steer clear of flats. "You have to wear high-waisted jeans with a high heel to elongate your legs," Jenna insists. "Unless you're really thin, if you don't wear platforms or stilettos, you'll look dowdy and stout."
If the idea of mom jeans still scares you, slowly work your way to new heights with high-rise. These nine-inch inseam alternatives still help you create the elongated illusion and definitely avoid muffin top (you know, the unflattering love handle spectacle that resulted from the über-low-rise craze?). A great option is Anlo's Sofi, which is popular with the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Kate Bosworth since it works on all sizes.
Sure, the style is a fave of the stars, but does it get high points in everyday life? Find out in my test-drive series over on mystyle.com!
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