In order to understand the return of low-rise jeans, it’s important to understand their origin. The time was the early 2000s. Enthusiasm for all the new millennium would bring was high but the waistbands were low. While the low-rise jeans of 2022 are baggy and not typically thong-exposing, the early-2000s iterations were tight and very low. They were often paired with crop tops or fitted tops that exposed the depths of the waistband—and it wasn’t just the usual suspects that wore them. We all know that Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and Miley Cyrus embraced the trend but celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway, and Reese Witherspoon were also in the low-rise club.
Below, you’ll find 15 historic photos of the aforementioned celebs and more proudly posing in their low-rise jeans. (Fun fact: Many of them were taken on red carpets or while they were guests at TRL.) If these throwback Y2K outfits leave you inspired to re-adopt low-rise jeans yourself, we also found some of the best current pairs, all of which are decidedly easier to wear than their early-2000s counterparts.
Yes, even Angelina Jolie wore low-rise jeans—but she managed to make them look as elegant as possible by pairing her jeans and tank top with a gold shrug and matching heels.
Halle Berry combined low-rise bootcut jeans, a Von Dutch T-shirt, snakeskin bag, and colored sunglasses for perhaps the most early-2000s outfit possible.
Paris Hilton was rarely pictured without a low-rise waistband in the early-2000s. Jeans this low made every top look like a crop top, her cowl-neck top included.
Anne Hathaway was also a low-rise fan during her The Princess Diaries days. In this instance, she gave them a preppy twist.
Given that she’s been quick to wear low-rise styles again this time around, it’s no surprise that Jennifer Lopez was one of the original adopters of the trend (which she always made look glamorous).
Lucy Liu’s proved that low-rise jeans were just for crop tops and flip-flops.
When you think of low-rise jeans and the early 2000s, you probably think of Britney Spears. This is why.
Blake Lively on the set of Gossip Girl gave an Upper East Side twist to low-rise skinny jeans.
Beyoncé, seen here in her Destiny’s Child days, wore low-rise jeans often—even on stage with her fellow group members.
Here, Reese Witherspoon proved that low-rise jeans could even work with her signature classic style.
Cameron Diaz’s low-rise jean outfit plus a slew of Y2K accessories made for an outfit that defined the times.
We wouldn’t be opposed to wearing this Mariah Carey outfit today.
Mandy Moore’s denim-on-denim look made the red-carpet cut.
Lindsay Lohan loved low-rise jeans so much that she wore them on the red carpet and to events often. We wouldn’t be surprised to see Bella Hadid in this exact outfit today.
Mila Kunis’ super-low-rise jeans, baby tee, and wide belt were peak Y2K style.
So good (especially for $30).
This editor just ordered this pair herself.
The Who What Wear editorial team is understandably obsessed with these.
One of the many great Zara takes on the trend.
If they’re Madewell you know they’re going to be comfortable.
Classic and cool.
Baggy low-rise jeans are the best low-rise jeans.
If you don’t want to go super-low, this is a great in-between pair.
Well these are authentic.
Jennifer Lopez would approve.
We’ve been seeing raw waistbands more and more as of late.
FYI: These have so many good reviews.
The perfect summer jeans.
These look like they could’ve been made in the early-2000s.
This pair is understandably on its way to selling out.
