Low-rise jeans, also called hipsters, hip huggers, or low-cut jeans, just few of the alternate names, are characterized by short rise that sits significantly below the belly button instead of at the waist.

Hip huggers in this early stage did feature lower rise, but often were only an inch or two below the belly button. These low-rise jeans were often very snug to the knee and then flared into bell-bottoms. With hip hugger low-rise jeans, nothing between waist and knee was left to the imagination because of their form fitting style. Many hip hugger wearers joked about having to pour themselves into the jeans.

Low-rise jeans have not been appreciated by all. Some have waistband so low that they do display the top part of the buttocks, especially if you bend over, sit or squat down. Some have declared low-rise jeans to be indecent because of this exposure. Both men and women may wear low-rise jeans, and especially when women wear them, it’s considered fashion don’t to let the underwear show above the waistline.

For women, wearing bikini style underwear usually easily solves this problem. Some women do insist on wearing thongs that are high cut and plainly visible above the low-rises jeans. This is considered not classy and fashion faux pas. For most occasions, though, underwear and boxer shorts are supposed to be under clothing, and displaying them is not considered in good taste.

Though not everyone enjoys wearing low-rise jeans, many admit that slightly lower rise in pants is figure flattering. Pants that sit just above the hipbone, instead of fitting at the waist elongate the figure. Many now make fun of the higher waist style of jeans more typical of the past, calling them “mom jeans.” Several comedy shows have poked fun at the high waist jean in this manner, as only suited to moms of certain age.