The rise on jeans or pants refers to the measurement from the crotch to the top of the waistband. We have all seen the prevalence of low rise jeans in recent years. If you are not into the low rise thing that is fine but it really can be a flattering cut, when not overdone of course to the super low rise or brazilian proportions.
The purpose it serves is to make the derriere area seem smaller and more in proportion to your body. Think about it, if you have a pair of pants with a waistband that is at or above your navel there is a lot of extra material between the top of the waistband and your bottom. From behind your derriere can look like sag city with all that extra material no matter how many lunges you have logged in the gym.
In a lower rise pant the material starts just above your derriere highlighting it in a more flattering way. That being said it is best to select pants with a rise no higher than slightly below your belly button. Anything higher will be unflattering, I won’t even mention Mom jeans. While we’re on the subject please no pleated, tapered, or relaxed fit styles either. If you are not a size 2 that is no problem, I’m not either! There are plenty of flattering pants out there as well as little tricks for disguising problem areas.
For those of you into the low rise jean, just a friendly reminder that not everyone wants to see your “business” every time you bend or sit down. Fortunately tee shirts come in longer lengths to help avoid this problem. If there is a huge gap a tailor can take in the jeans a bit. Some designer denim is also cut higher in the back than in the front to help remedy this. Forego the ultra low rise for travel, you will be bending and moving about more so it’s best to leave these in your closet.