A hi low hem solves a problem I hear about at almost every fitting: they want their seat covered in leggings or jeans, but a long straight tunic makes them look wider and shorter. The shorter front keeps the waist and legs in view, and the longer back drops over the hips. It only works if the bottoms are chosen with that shape in mind, though. Below are twenty Maurices hi low outfits with denim, leggings, skirts and trousers, with notes on where the front hem should sit, which shoes balance the extra fabric, and which combinations I'd skip.
How Far the Back Should Drop on Your Frame
Hi low tops vary a lot in how big the difference is between front and back. Some drop only a few inches; others fall almost to the knee behind. When I fit them, I check the front first, then the back, because each one has a different job.
- The front should land at or just below the top of the hip bone, so the waistband or the curve of the waist still shows.
- The back works best ending somewhere over the seat to the upper thigh. Longer than that and it starts to look like a coat without sleeves.
- Petite frames suit a smaller drop; a long back on a short torso hides the legs.
- Tall or long-legged women can carry a bigger drop, especially with slim bottoms.
Curves and coverage
For fuller hips, the hi low is one of the most forgiving shapes, provided the fabric drapes. A soft jersey or rayon falls close to the body; a stiff cotton juts out at the back and adds the width you were trying to hide. Look at yourself from the side, not only the front, before deciding it fits.
1. Maurices Hi Low Top With Skinny Jeans
A hi low top and skinny jeans is the pairing I start most people with, because the narrow leg gives the loose hem something clean to fall against. Dark wash looks smarter; mid wash is weekend. Pick a top that skims rather than clings; a clingy hi low shows every line at the hip and loses the point of the cut. Ankle boots and a crossbody bag finish it. With an open neckline, a fine pendant draws the eye down the center, which lengthens the torso.
2. Maurices Hi Low Top With Straight Leg Jeans
Straight-leg jeans are kinder than skinnies if you carry weight in your calves or simply dislike tight denim. High-rise denim that sits flat at the waist matters here, since the short front hem will show the waistband. Leave the front out if the fabric is a knit; a loose tuck only holds in a light woven. A stripe or small floral adds interest without needing jewelry. Check the jean length in your shoes: if the hem bunches over sneakers, the extra fabric at the bottom fights the extra fabric up top. White sneakers or tan loafers both suit it.
3. Maurices Hi Low Top With Black Leggings
This is the combination I'm asked about most, and it earns that. The long back of a tunic-style hi low covers the seat, so leggings feel less exposed. Choose a soft top in heather gray, berry, teal or a small print. The leggings need to be truly opaque: bend over in daylight before you trust them, because thin black leggings go gray and see-through across the seat. A wide waistband stops rolling under the short front. Slip-on sneakers for errands, flat ankle boots and a long pendant when you want it dressier.
4. Maurices Hi Low Top With Bootcut Jeans
Bootcuts and hi low tops share a trick: both widen near the bottom, which balances the hips. Find jeans that fit smoothly through the thigh and open just below the knee. Heeled ankle boots hidden under the hem add height without anyone noticing. A V or scoop neck keeps the top open near the face, which matters when the hem below carries extra volume. Keep the front hem at hip length; if it falls lower, it starts to compete with the flare and the whole outfit reads wide. I'd skip a bulky jacket here for the same reason.
5. Maurices Hi Low Top With Wide Leg Jeans
Wide-leg denim with a hi low top can work, but only with a clear waist. I look for a hi low with a neat front and fuller back, not one that's loose all the way round. High-rise wide legs and a light front tuck show where the body narrows. Platform sneakers or block-heel sandals give the wide hem something to sit on so it doesn't drag. A solid top in rust or forest green keeps it simple. Without that waist definition, this pairing turns into a column of fabric, so it's the one I'd try on twice before wearing out.
6. Maurices Hi Low Top With Cropped Jeans
Cropped jeans show the ankle, and that small bit of skin is surprisingly useful under a longer back hem: it reminds the eye the legs are there. Ankle-length straight or slim jeans in mid wash suit a light printed top. Woven flats or loafers in summer; fitted ankle boots that meet the jean hem in cooler months, with no gap of sock. Roll the cuff once at most. I steer petite clients toward this one, because the visible ankle stops the back hem overwhelming a shorter frame.
7. Maurices Hi Low Top With White Jeans
White jeans brighten a colorful hi low top, but they demand more care in fit than any other denim. I choose thicker, low-stretch white denim and nude underwear, since thin white fabric shows pockets and seams. A coral or soft green top looks fresh against it; a busy print is fine as long as the sandals stay plain. If you want more coverage, a top with a softly curved back that falls below the hip makes white jeans feel less exposed. A woven bag and gold hoops finish it for warm weekends and outdoor lunches.
8. Maurices Hi Low Top With Distressed Jeans
Distressed denim toughens up a soft, feminine hi low top. I'd keep the rips modest, a few at the knee rather than a shredded thigh, so it still looks like a grown-up outfit. Boyfriend or slim-straight jeans in mid wash pair well with black, ivory or a floral top. If the top has lace or ruffles, limit jewelry to one thing; both pieces are already doing a lot. A fitted jean helps more than a baggy one here, since baggy denim plus a flowing hem looks shapeless. Ankle boots or white sneakers, and it's ready for a concert or coffee run.
9. Maurices Hi Low Top With Denim Shorts
Hi low tops over denim shorts give coverage behind while keeping the legs free, which is a good summer compromise. The shorts should still peek out below the back hem; if the top covers them completely, it looks like you've forgotten your bottoms. Mid or high rise with an inseam you're comfortable sitting in. A light tee in a bright solid, a subtle stripe or a small floral all suit. Loose-woven or sheer tops need a fitted tank underneath. Flat sandals and a straw tote keep it practical.
10. Maurices Hi Low Top With Bermuda Shorts
Bermuda shorts give more leg coverage, and they pair better with a hi low than most people expect. The front hem should finish near the upper hip, so there's a clear gap between top and shorts. Solid navy or khaki shorts with a striped top look tidy. Avoid big cargo-style pockets: the hem already adds movement at the hip and extra pockets double it. A flat front and a defined waistband keep the line clean. Leather-look sandals and a structured tote work for sightseeing and casual workplaces where short denim feels too casual.
11. Maurices Hi Low Top With Black Work Pants
Black work pants make a soft hi low blouse office-appropriate. Go ankle length, straight or slightly tapered, so the trouser stays narrower than the hem above it. Jewel tones and small prints sit well against black. Leave the front out unless the blouse was cut for a partial tuck; a forced tuck in a hi low pulls the back hem crooked. If the neckline is wide, a smooth camisole saves you from adjusting all day. A short blazer that ends above the back hem keeps the layers readable, while a long one hides the shape entirely.
12. Maurices Hi Low Top With Wide Leg Trousers
Wide-leg trousers need a hi low with less volume at the front, otherwise the outfit gets heavy. High-rise trousers with a clean drape in black or chocolate, then a light blouse with a short, flat front hem. A partial tuck shows the waistband and the narrowest point of you. Pointed flats or platform loafers give the wide hem some structure underneath. Pick one feature accessory, earrings or a long necklace, not both. Repeating one color from the top in the shoes or bag ties it together for offices and daytime events.
13. Maurices Hi Low Top With Pull On Pants
Pull-on pants are what I recommend for long travel days, but they can tip into loungewear fast. The fix is a flat-front waistband and a straight or tapered leg, which read as trousers rather than joggers. A solid knit hi low in navy or plum on top keeps things tonal. A structured tote and a long pendant add the firmer lines the soft fabrics lack. Choose wrinkle-resistant materials if you'll be sitting for hours; polyester blends and ponte recover from creases far better than cotton or rayon.
14. Maurices Hi Low Top With Midi Skirt
A midi skirt and a hi low top both have movement, so one of them has to stay restrained. I pair a controlled back hem with a straight knit or soft pleated skirt, never a dramatic hi low with a full circle skirt. A loose front tuck separates the two layers so they don't blur together at the hip. Solid top with a printed skirt, or floral top with a plain skirt; two prints rarely work here. Ankle-strap flats suit summer, sleek ankle boots suit fall. It's a good choice for showers and graduations.
15. Maurices Hi Low Top With Pencil Skirt
A pencil skirt gives a draped hi low top the fitted counterpoint it needs. The top should sit close at the shoulders and bust, then flow toward the back; a top loose from the neck down looks sloppy against a tailored skirt. Tuck only the short front section if it hides the waistband. A stretch pencil skirt lets you sit and climb stairs without riding up. Strong prints on top, plain skirt and minimal jewelry. It's office wear, and fine for presentations if the blouse fabric has some weight to it.
16. Maurices Hi Low Top With Denim Jacket And Leggings
For chilly mornings, a cropped denim jacket over a hi low and leggings lets the longer back show beneath it, which is what makes the layering look deliberate. A long coat would hide the hem completely. Dark top with dark leggings gives one long line; the denim adds contrast on top. White sneakers or ankle boots both suit it. A crossbody or backpack keeps your hands free on school runs. Choose a jacket that fits at the shoulder rather than an oversized one, which adds width where you probably don't want it.
17. Maurices Hi Low Top With Cardigan And Jeans
Cardigans over a hi low top can look messy because you end up with three hem lengths. I solve that by choosing a cardigan that ends near the hip or just past the long back hem, and keeping both layers in one color family. Slim-straight jeans keep the bottom half clean against two loose layers on top. If both layers are soft and flowy, structured denim and defined shoes such as loafers or ankle boots restore some shape. Roll the cardigan sleeves once. It's a reliable outfit for classrooms and transitional weather.
18. Maurices Hi Low Top With Faux Leather Leggings
Faux leather leggings bring a dressier contrast to a soft hi low. Matte faux leather is the one I'd buy; very shiny finishes show every curve and every crease behind the knee. A long black or animal-print top covers the seat, which most women prefer with leather-look leggings. Be aware they don't breathe, so they're better for an evening meal than a warm all-day event. Pointed ankle boots and bold hoops finish it. A V neck keeps the top half lighter against the heavy leggings.
19. Maurices Hi Low Top With Cargo Pants
Cargo pants and a hi low tee pair a practical bottom with a soft top. Flat-pocket cargos in olive or black stop extra bulk at the thigh, which matters because the hi low hem already covers the hip. A simple white or striped tee is enough. If the cargos are high-waisted, tuck the short front lightly to show the waist. Low-profile sneakers and a compact crossbody suit market days and travel. I'd avoid baggy, low-slung cargos with this, which together with a long hem make the legs look short.
20. Maurices Hi Low Top With Colored Jeans
Colored jeans are an easy way to make familiar hi low tops feel new. Olive, burgundy and soft gray are the shades I find wear most often, because they act almost like neutrals. A cream or black top keeps the color the focus. Keep the cut slim-straight so the hem remains the main shape. I match the bag to the shoes rather than to the jeans; matching bag and jeans looks forced. If the top has a print, picking one with a tiny bit of the denim color in it pulls the whole outfit together.
Jackets, Cardigans and That Longer Back
Layering is where hi low tops get tricky, because a jacket can either show off the hem or cut it in an awkward place. My rule is to go clearly shorter or clearly longer than the back hem, never almost the same length.
Cropped and waist-length jackets in denim, leather or tweed show the whole drop and look the most deliberate. A hip-length blazer works if it ends above the back hem by a few inches. Long cardigans that pass the back hem completely also work, especially when they're left open, because they create a long vertical line down the front.
What I avoid is a jacket that stops an inch or two above or below the back of the top. That near-match looks like a mistake, with a sliver of fabric poking out. If your only jacket does this, skip it and choose a scarf or a lighter layer instead.
The Hem Does Half the Work, the Bottoms Do the Rest
Every outfit above comes down to balance. Slim jeans and leggings let the longer back hem fall cleanly; skirts and wide trousers work when the waist stays visible. Shoes set the mood: sneakers for weekends, loafers for work, ankle boots for cooler months. Keep jewelry from fighting the movement of the hem. If you're buying your first hi low, a solid knit with a modest drop at the back will go with more of these bottoms than any dramatic cut.
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