by Katie Hinderer

Created on: January 15, 2009

Despite the momentary trend of high-waisted (or very high-waisted) pants and skirts that we've seen throughout 2008, low-rise jeans are still a fashion staple. Most teens and young professionals closets are full of pants that rest no where near their natural waist. These hip-riding jeans can now be found everywhere, even the most refined retailers stock the trend. But with their incredible presence in our society does that mean they are fashionable? Could it be that they are a major fashion blunder? Unfortunately, the answer is both yes and no to both questions.

As with most things in style the line between fashion slate and fashion blunder is determined by a number of things including the other things being worn with the item, the situation or event they are being worn to and the way each person carries themselves. Let's translate this into real life.

You are going to a casual work party where you will be standing and mingling with people most of the evening. Since you won't be bending over, moving too much, squatting down, etc... low-rise jeans can be fashionable.

You are going to do some gardening out in the yard. Low-rise jeans - fashion blunder. The last thing your elderly neighbor needs is to see your underwear popping out as you bend to pull the weeds in your lawn. The same criterion can be used if you are going babysitting, where you'll be running after kids all day and other such activities that will have you bending over or squatting down.

You are going out with friends to a bar or club to dance and meet people. Those fashion-forward among you probably think the low-rise jeans are the way to go. Well, maybe yes, maybe no. When you lift your arms above your head, as you are likely to do while dancing, will people be forced to see your stomach, the edge of your underwear? If so, you are about to be a fashion victim. If instead you are going in a longer top (like one of the longer vests or a baby-doll shirt) those low-rise jeans can be a great option.

How to know if you are blundering or or styling:

Try the outfit on and sit down. Do you automatically try to pull them up? Is there a gap of skin between the top of your pants and the bottom of your shirt? If you answer yes to either you are one step away from a fashion nightmare. That one step - is walking out the door in that get-up.

With your outfit on lift your arms above your head. Again is there that patch of skin exposed? We don't need that.

Are you uncomfortable in them? No need to wear something that is considered fashionable if you don't feel yourself in it. You'll carry yourself with more confidence and poise if you like what you are in. (A sidenote to this is that many people who shy away from low-rise jeans after wearing waist-high jeans for years and years believe they would be uncomfortable. But in reality, many people do find them more comfortable.)

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