The Top-Stitch High Waist Pants are cut to sit at the intersection of casual and dressy — structured enough to pass in a smart-casual work environment, relaxed enough for a day off. The fabric holds its shape through a full day of sitting and moving without the knee-bagging and seat-sagging that cheaper fabric develops by mid-afternoon. The leg cut falls cleanly with both flat shoes and a modest heel.
Cut & Construction Details
- High-rise waistband sitting approximately 25–27cm from the crotch seam — elongates the visible leg line and stays in place through movement
- Available in sizes XS, S, M, L — see the size guide below before ordering
Fit & Sizing
Size to your hip measurement first, then consider the rise. The high waistband sits approximately 25–27cm from the crotch seam — for most people that's 3–4cm above the navel. If you have a short torso, the waistband may land closer to the bra line, which can feel uncomfortable when seated for long periods. Size for the hip and thigh; if the waistband has a little extra room, a belt fixes it cleanly. Going down a size to get a tighter waistband at the expense of hip room is the wrong trade. Sizes: XS, S, M, L.
How to Style
These work across a wider range of occasions than most people initially style them for. A fitted top tucked in rather than worn loose creates better proportions regardless of the leg cut. For shoes, the rule is contrast: if the silhouette is wide or relaxed, a slim or heeled shoe reads more intentional; if the silhouette is fitted, a chunky shoe creates visual balance. Keep the rest of the outfit within one or two tones for a clean result.
Fabric & Care
Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle — this is the single most important step for extending the life of any fashion fabric. Avoid high-heat tumble drying for the first 5–10 washes, which is when colour and fibre integrity are most vulnerable. Turn inside-out before washing to protect the outer face from friction and uneven fading.
| Size |
Hip Size |
Inseam |
Length |
Thigh |
Waist Size |
| XS |
36.8 |
28.9 |
40.2 |
24.1 |
25.2 |
| S |
38.4 |
29.1 |
40.6 |
25 |
26.8 |
| M |
40 |
29.3 |
40.9 |
25.9 |
28.3 |
| L |
42.3 |
29.6 |
41.5 |
27.2 |
30.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you buy
How does the high waist on the Top-Stitch High Waist Pants affect what size to order? +
Size to your hip measurement first, then consider the rise. The high waistband on these sits approximately 25–27cm from the crotch seam — for most women that's 3–4cm above the belly button. If you have a short torso the waistband may land close to the bra line, which some find uncomfortable when seated for long periods. Size for the hips, then use a belt or tuck-in top if the waistband has a little extra room. Going down a size to get a snug waistband at the expense of hip room is the wrong trade.
The Top-Stitch High Waist Pants are non-stretch cotton — how do they feel after a long day of wear? +
Non-stretch cotton has a structured, slightly board-like feel when new that softens significantly after 2–3 wears and washes. By the end of the first week the fibers relax and the fabric drapes against the body rather than holding its shape away from it. What non-stretch cotton does well that stretch blends can't match: it holds the cut of the pant through a full day without sagging at the knee or seat.
Do the Top-Stitch High Waist Pants work for petite frames or do they need altering? +
At a true petite height (under 5'2") these will likely need a 3–5cm hem taken up — the standard inseam is cut for an average height of around 5'5". Other than length, the proportions work well: the waist and hip measurements scale correctly to petite frames, and the cut doesn't change in a way that looks proportionally wrong. The rise and pocket placement are the more critical details for petite fits: a high rise elongates the leg; a pocket that sits too low (below mid-thigh) can visually shorten an already short.
Will the Top-Stitch High Waist Pants shrink in the wash, and how do I prevent it? +
Cold wash on a gentle cycle and line dry: shrinkage is 0–1% and undetectable in practice. The risk is machine drying on high heat — non-stretch cotton can lose up to a full size in the waist after five cycles of hot-wash-plus-high-heat drying. A single warm wash won't cause noticeable shrinkage and can actually help break in the fabric faster if the stiffness of new cotton bothers you. Turn them inside-out before washing to protect the outer surface and prevent uneven fading in darker colours.
Can the Top-Stitch High Waist Pants be worn to a formal work environment or are they strictly smart casual? +
These sit at the boundary of smart casual and business casual — appropriate for creative offices, client meetings in tech or media, and most environments where jeans are acceptable. They're too casual for formal corporate dress codes (law firms, finance, traditional client-facing roles). In a neutral colour (navy, charcoal, black) with a tucked-in blouse, structured blazer, and leather shoes or heels, they read polished in most smart-casual environments.
Do the Top-Stitch High Waist Pants work for a pear shape — wider hips and thighs relative to waist? +
These are well-suited to pear and hourglass shapes. Size to your hip measurement: the hip and thigh fit is fixed, the waist can be adjusted with a belt or taken in slightly if needed. For a pear shape, the most common issue with non-stretch bottoms is the gap at the back waistband when the hips are larger relative to the waist — a belt solves this quickly. The key measurement to get right is the thigh circumference, not the waist: if the thigh fits comfortably, the rest of the sizing logic follows.
