Fab high rise jeans: Citizens of Humanity amber cut
October 13th, 2008I am impressed with the new Citizens of Humanity high rise amber cut jeans. I’ve had these on a whole slew of body types from slim-limbed inverted triangles, to adorable apples, boyish rectangles and curvy hourglasses. The results have been stellar (pretty pears also look fairly good in the amber cut, but they look better in Joe’s, David Kahn and Paige Premium).
The amber cut has a bootcut hem and is available in a range of washes. It’s higher rise is comfy, flattering and acts like a girdle at 8.5 inches in front and 14 inches at the back. The denim is very soft and does not grow.
Unfortunately you pay premium price for premium denim, so the cost is steep. But I highly encourage the purchase if the fit is fab and you can afford the dent in your budget. At the very least, try them on and compare them to your current jeans. That won’t cost a cent.
These are two of the COH amber cut washes available online. There are more washes available in stores. I much preferred the feel of the lighter denim wash against my skin in this cut because it was soft. You also might like to read this forum thread if you still doubt whether premium jeans are worth their price.
October 13th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Thanks for this information Angie! Do you like the lighter denim wash on your over 40 clients?
October 13th, 2008 at 9:26 am
What in the world does “amber cut” mean?
October 13th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Hmm, I’m perplexed. I am petite and short-waisted yet 8.5″ is definitely still too low for me, hitting at least a couple of inches below my belly button. 14″ is also too short to adequately cover up my bubble butt. No wonder I’m having such a miserable time trying to find high rise jeans if 8.5″ is considered high.
October 13th, 2008 at 10:09 am
I was looking at the Nordstroms site to see if these were offered in a straight leg and noticed a “low rise” was 8″ and 13″ in the same brand, Ava cut. That doesn’t seem that much different than the high rise, so the confusion is understandable
October 13th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I know that they offer a petite fit as well, called the Dita.
They also have a mid rise straight leg, called the Elson.
Similar to the Amber, which is a boot cut.
October 13th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
I have these jeans in black — and I adore them. I was lucky enough to get them on markdown last season, but I like them so much I think I would pay full price!
October 13th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
There’s no way these would work for me. I need an 8.5″ rise in the front and about 9″ rise in the back. It’s like a have a butt in the front and no butt in the back.
I’m starting to think having jeans custom made is my only hope for a perfect fit. I am convinced that cheap denim is trash though. I’ve had some pairs keep their shape and others grow after the first washing. *sigh*
October 13th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I think Amber is just the name of the style. I think COH jeans have names like this for different cuts.
October 13th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I own three pairs of Ambers - two dark blue, and one white. COH are definetly “my” jean.
The straight leg (forget the style name - I think it is Elson?) is identical to the Ambers but without the bootcut, if anyone is looking for a straight leg jean.
I am the buttless wonder (my butt is flat and now kinda saggy too) but I also prefer 9″ rise however I have gotten used to the 8.5″ rise. There’s something about the cut - I think it is a roomier waistband - that works to “lock and load” without feeling uncomfortably tight around the midsection. Any excess flub is easily smoothed out with a body-smoothing cami.
Or, I’ve simply slowly gotten used to a slightly lower rise….
Incidentlaly my earnest sewn skinnies are barely 8″ rise (actually they may even be 7.5″). But they feel like running tights and are soooo comfy, they don’t bug me at all.
Lesson I’m learning is that it may not be about the rise, but about the cut, fabric, construction, etc. I totally understand not ordering blindly online - but it never hurts to try them on with open mind, if you find them in a store.
October 13th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Nope. Too expensive.
I am very short, so I am skirting this high waisted thing and retaining my boot and straight legged low rise jeans, that fit me about at the waist anyhow.
I won’t spend one months board for my horse on jeans.
If they should show up at a Ross near me, though, I’d try them out. I feel that looking good should not become the budget buster that designer jeans have become.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:04 am
I might give these a try in that dark wash on the right. Even though I have a lot of pairs of jeans, I have just realized that I don’t have any to wear with two pairs of my winter boots. My jeans are hemmed either for flat flats or ~2.5″ heels, and my pseudo-flat winter riding boots have about a 1″ small heel, and neither of my jeans works with them.
October 16th, 2008 at 5:53 am
In what way can these be called “high-waisted”? Where exactly is the waist supposed to be, at one’s pubic bone? Please. I would think the butt crack would still be visible with these and that is not at all attractive.
October 16th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I just looked on the nordstrom website at these jeans. The largest size they come in is a 12! I usually wear a 12 or 14 but I refuse to buy from a designer who is ashamed to have their clothing worn by the average size American. Totally uncool!
October 17th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I happened across these jeans earlier this year, and I LOVE them. I have a small waist and wide hips, and these are the only jeans I haven’t had to have the waist taken in on. I’m keeping my eyes out for the black on sale now.
October 19th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Thanks for the validation Shiny, JulieD and Wendy. I have a pair too.
Debbie, the lighter wash is great for women over 40. Still looks classy with the right ensemble mix. I hope they work for you too.
Maris, “amber’ refers to the style and cut of the brand.
Maya, I’m completely baffled. I have a 5ft 11, size 10 client in these rise measurements (and style), and they fall mid to higher rise on her. To Shiny’s point, rise measurements and cuts will fit different heights and body shapes differently. But you are petite and tiny and your even higher rise requirements are interesting. (Rise measurements will also increase as the sizes increase).
You should definitely try these, Tanya. You get special denim purchasing permission for this one.
Sue, the back rise on this style is high. No hints of bottom cleavage. The higher back rise is especially effective if the waistline is snug, which can of course be altered of it isn’t.
October 25th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I just went and tried these on at Nordstrom yesterday–outstanding! I love these jeans! I love them as much as I love J. Crew (as some of you know, that’s saying a lot). I would have walked out of Nordie’s with them right then if I had had the money. Definitely next on my “to buy” list. Thanks for the recommendation Angie!
October 28th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Thanks for letting us know, Ana. That’s a revelation! These jeans are getting the best response from those who try them. I can’t tell you how many of my clients have been thrilled with them this season – myself included. They have been a win-win for sure. So soft and the higher rise is fabulous. Hope you get them soon!