11 Best High-Waisted Pants That'll Make Any Guy Look More Stylish

ProsWrinkle-resistant, stain-resistant, and everything else great about workwear twill pantsIn nicer colors, they can look nicer than they areConsStill a cheap work pant Most guys that get into menswear these days start with a Dickies 874. When you're in high school or college looking for pants that look nice but can be purchased on a waiter's salary, Dickies is always there. Like most work pants, the 874 has a high rise for functional purposes. It gives you room to bend down, move around, and work. But if you keep a black, navy, or brown pair of Dickies pristine and creased, they can cosplay as a pair of more expensive pair of pants. All that makes them the ideal pants to try out a high waist in. Get a pair, put them on, and look in the mirror. For a few weeks, replace your jeans with a pair of Dickies. If you like what they do for you, move on to the rest of the list.ProsSeveral really nice fitsGreat price for what you're getting—made in Morocco is a good valueConsThe fabrics do trend pretty summery year-roundRead our guide to dressing when it’s hot; read our linen guide; read our guide to if you can wear shorts in the office (I don’t think you should). When the weather warms up, you still need pants. My Georgia-boy hack is a good pair of linen suit trousers. Casatlantic makes some of the best out there, in my opinion.There are four basic fits in the lineup—pretty much all inspired by the military-inspired silhouettes that founder Nathaniel Asseraf’s Moroccan grandfather would wear. For trousers, that means high waists and stovepipe cuts. For a summer pant, that is exactly what you want. Fabric to skin contact only happens on your hips, ass, or lower legs as you walk and fabric sways. The linen in breezy, and there’s enough space for sweat to evaporate.I prefer the El Jadida because I’m a thinner and shorter guy, so pleats have the opposite effect of what they’re supposed to, making my waist look too frumpy. These are flat front, a dream for me. But for a bigger guy, the Tanger—double pleats, wide-leg, high-rise—will do wonders for your figure, and the classically shaped Mogador also look great.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsClassic made-to-measure, so you can tweak details and fabricsOne of the best value brands out there at the momentConsInterface could be nicer, but if that's a problem just go in-personI don’t really need to explain this one that much. Suitsupply, though I think known for more slim I-just-got-a-banking-job tailoring, has some nice classic cuts in the lineup. One such cut is on this wide leg pant. You get a high waist with a simple straight leg.The great thing, as with anythign from Suitsupply, is the digital tailor interface. Make your own fabric choice, (again, personal preference) drop the pleats, add a cuffed hem, and you walk away with a special pair of pants for around $300—can’t beat that these days.ProsCool logo, nice workwear pocket details Generous cutConsHeavy fabric, can't be dressed up too muchMy oldest brother, a skate kid in the early 2000s, got me into Ben's. They're cut a little higher than Dickies, and the twill is a bit thicker. Fair warning that the original cut is healthy; Gorilla cut is huge. I wear the trim fit, and they fit me like high fashion pants: tight through the seat and thigh, straight stovepipe fit from the knee down.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsGood fabrics, Todd Snyder one of the best big brands for thatVery easy cut to wearConsBit of a sartorial step out for some guysThe easiest way to find a high-rise pant is to go Gurkha. The style is pulled from old British military travels to northern India and Nepal. It features an extended adjustable waistband. The Todd Snyder version isn't the highest-rise Gurkha you can find, but it's more than enough to qualify.These pants sit at your natural waist, but four pleats give you room to breath around the seat and thighs. Then, they taper down to the hem to give a more professional, less military, look.ProsIncredibly flattering silhouettesI find the pants to be easy to drag and drop into any wardrobeConsBit flashy, can be a turnoff for some guysI love Husbands, this French tailoring shop focused on Parisian bohemian elegance. It all leans very Gainsbourg, very ’70s but I think it’s all so flattering. These wide high-rise trousers explain my point. Last time I was in Paris, I went to the store and tried on something similar—I’ve never looked so tall and I hadn’t even put on the heeled boots.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsTried-and-True shapePercival is still able to make it feel youthfulConsWhen buying from America, the price (just above the J.Crews of the world) can be a bit strange to go forThe lads across the pond at Percival make a very nice pleated high-rise trouser. It’s a classic tailored look: side tab adjusters, double pleats, and a gentle taper.ProsGreat fabric, a classic chino twillUniversally flattering fitConsA tad expensive for what some guys wantBuck Mason does a great job of adapting old military and workwear inspiration for the average guy. These chinos are the perfect example. Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsHigh-rise is perfect for denim, a lot more comfortableSlight flare also helps you appear tallerUnbeatable priceConsTight on bigger guys, go for the relaxed fitI've already pledged my Wrangler allegiance on this website. For the money, there's not a better pant than the rigid indigo raw denim Cowboy Cuts. Just beware, this original cut is still pretty slim. Go for the relaxed cut if that's a worry. Little guys and rockstars can do the slim cut.And if you're worried about looking too cowboy, just cut the back patch off when you get them. Problem solved.ProsGives you that Edward Sexton look without having to go bespokeActually a pretty contemporary cut, not stuffy at allThis hasn't been widely advertised stateside, but Edward Sexton does ready-to-wear. This is a dream for me, who inherited a Beatles and Rolling Stones obsession and always had the late eponymous tailor as a fashion North Star. Now regular guys, like you and I, can get that Nutters look for a reasonable price.Everything in the collection is high rise, so pick what you're into. The classic cut is an adaptation of the original Nutters look to today's tastes. But if you want to go for it, you can. The Hollywood Trousers feature an ultra-high-rise Hollywood waist, too much of a menswear nerd affectation if you ask me, but live your truth. The Parallel Trouser is classic '60s Sexton suit trousers with a slight flare. The flares have a real flare, and the Oxford Bags are Sexton take on a classic chino. It's all second-to-none.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsIncredible fabric you won't find anywhere elseModern unisex cutConsNeed to be seen in person to be truly appreciatedI've got love for Factor's because it's a freaky little bespoke tailor out of my home state, but the clothes can speak for themselves. Core to the ready-to-wear section are Factor's trousers. These pair workwear influences, like the easy-entry Ben Davis pocket, with a tailor's obsession with fabric. Other fabrics come and go from the lineup, but this Midnight Mohair is a staple. It's a fabric developed just for Factor's: 70/30 wool/mohair with black yarns interwoven with the navy. The result is that nighttime sky blue, a crisp feel, and this wonderful tux-like sheen from the mohair. As for the fit, off the rack they're pretty generous all the way down from your natural waist. Factor's cuts everything unisex, so they'll fit great if you've got hips, or drape off you if you don't. A fucking great pair of pants.Why You Should Trust UsWe’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great.Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams. When it comes to high-waisted pants, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our fashionable colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear.We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these high-waisted pants are the ones that are simply the best. Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to start.