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How to wear high-waist tapered pants?

We are obsessed with high-waist tapered pants! We love how they beautifully accentuate waists and how flattering they are worn right. We frequently get asked how to wear it. So it’s about time we have a blog post dedicated just to them. But before we get into the styling tips. Here’s a little bit of herstory about high-waist tapered pants.


The herstory

High-waist pants for women were introduced in the 1940′s when women began working outside the home due to World War II. While the men were at the battle fronts businesses or work outside of the home needed to continue; therefore women took over men’s workplace. During this time, women still dressed conservatively so Levis (the American jean company) and other companies produced high-waist pants to fit working women without comprising their “modesty.” By the 50′s, jeans on women were fashionable so high-waist jeans and pants with shorter legs such as capris were in. See Audry Hepburn’s black high-waist capris pants below.

Then in the 80s, when women’s suiting was inspired by menswear suiting the high-waist tapered pants became less form fitting and more voluminous with pleating around the hips and butt and elastic waist bands became the norm. See the images below Audry Hepburn. This continued to be popular well into the 90s but in more bolder and brighter colors. There was a resurgence in 2010 and even more prevalent today -probably because of our ridiculous collection. We cannot get enough of these feminist pants!


Audry Hepburn

80s high-waist tapered pants with pleats

80s high-waist tapered pants with elastic waist

How to wear high-waist pants?



We can do it!

To avoid looking dowdy, counterbalance the pant’s volume around the hips and butt area by pairing it with a fitted top tucked into them or what we love to do right now is pair it with a cropped top or button-up shirt.

If it’s chilly out go for a fitted, structured, and cropped blazer or a long cardigan. Avoid outerwear that sits anywhere between your lower waistline and mid-thigh. Otherwise, you’ll look dowdy and bigger than you really are. The key is to show off that waist and not hide it.

To finish your look, feel free to belt it or go without a belt, roll up the pant legs and wear heals, clogs, or wedges with height. Or if your shoes have ankle straps, strap them over the bottom of your unrolled pants. Your legs will look like they go on for days! Another reason to love high-waist pants -they hide muffin tops extremely well.


Need more inspiration. We got you!

We have plenty of vintage high-waist pants in stock so get dibs on them today by setting up your private shopping session by visiting “SHOP” on our website!


Julia, Gabi, Jenny

Julia & Jenny

Need more fashion tips? Our facebook page is full of them, especially, sustainable and thrifty DIY tips. Don’t see a tip you’re in need of help for? Please don’t hesitate to ask us for any fashion advice via our facebook wall/message or email us at team@retrofitrepublic.com. This is what we LOVE to do -help you look good so you can continue doing good in this world!


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If you would like exclusive access to shop at our showroom in San Francisco please set up a private shopping appointment for you and your friends by filling out our online shop form.

For styling, wardrobe retrofits, and personal shopping please email team@retrofitrepublic.com.

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