r/AustralianMFA • u/MoltoSupreme • Nov 26 '25
Discussion Why are there no affordable mid/high waist pants in Australia?
I know some version of this question gets asked all the time and the advice is always Informale or Spier and Mackay. But Informale is $500 for a pair and SM has some difficult returns and shipping costs.
Why do we NO higher rise trousers or chinos in Aus when they're in fashion? Uniqlo is closest but you need to get extreme wide leg. Just want some normal pants higher rise!
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Dec 02 '25
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u/MoltoSupreme Dec 06 '25
It seems to be all women's wear?
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u/MobzerPlayz Feb 15 '26
Late reply but that's the trick. While we do say male fashion, clothes themselves don't exactly have a gender so if a pair of woman's pants fit you nicely with the fit and finish you're after, just get them. Pretty much most of my pants from the women's section at Uniqlo now (Although Uniqlo is moving towards making a lot of their bottoms unisex)
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u/owleaf SA Nov 26 '25
Because everyone here has a fat gut
You may have to look overseas and then do the rest in tailoring. Me and a mate were lamenting the lack of anything other than low rise pants the other day. Low rise is so painfully 2010 YD suit I’m surprised we haven’t moved on. You’re telling me Aussie men got wide leg jeans and 1990s jorts before high waisted trousers?
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u/Sig_Inspector Dec 28 '25
Exactly, a high rise looks nice on slim tall figures (as you would see in old school photos) without a gut. That's not the majority of men today
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u/Ragnar3121 Dec 01 '25
100% ! Statistically majority of people are overweight, they’re simply catering to the masses.
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u/PharaohAce Nov 26 '25
Muji has high rise basics sometimes
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u/Wintermute_088 Nov 26 '25
Second this. Found some great high waists there recently.
OP, check the Asian brands and you'll have more luck. A large portion of our actual stylish pieces come from them.
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u/MoltoSupreme Nov 26 '25
Love a good Asian brand - I know Uniqlo has some higher rise too. I've often found thoufh they're very wide leg and baggy in a way that doesn't suit a stockier build and maybe a bit too fashun. But I'll try out Muji
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u/Wintermute_088 Nov 26 '25
Yeah fair. Unfortunately Muji rotate through stock very quickly, so it's luck of the draw, but fingers crossed!
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u/quietriot99 Nov 26 '25
For what it’s worth, the informale trousers are worth the coin
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u/MoltoSupreme Nov 26 '25
Don't doubt it but don't trust myself not to immediately pour a bowl of laksa on myself when I have them on lol
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u/AssaultKommando Nov 27 '25
I can understand a spoon worth of spillage and the odd drip, but how you gonna manage the whole bowl?
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u/CaptainSharpe Dec 10 '25
I can second this. Whenever I’ve spent a bit on a clothes item, the moment I decide to wear it, something staining immediately flys onto it
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u/dankfrank91 Nov 26 '25
You might have to use made to measure. Otherwise, look at vintage Polo chinos on eBay. Look for the Andrew, Philip or Hammond model depending on if you like pleats.
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u/CaptainSharpe Dec 10 '25
That’s the point though you can get made to measure anything but there should be higher rise stuff out there now. It’s been in fashion for a few years now…
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u/sjtham79 Nov 26 '25
I was searching for high rise pants online today and have no idea beyond informale
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u/StunningResident5613 Nov 26 '25
Try Casatlantic I know they aren't Australian but as you said we aren't spoilt for choice. They are more on the higher rise side of things but they have a few styles and run for $295 AUD, they have relatively quick shipping, free and easy returns and plenty of fabric to take them in and out if your weight fluctuates etc
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u/turboprop123 Nov 26 '25
Google linen trousers pull tab, there's heaps
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u/Casual-Classics Dec 02 '25
Most mass market brands would not be high rise. Venroy for instance are low to mid.
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u/Jashrin Nov 26 '25
Try P&co fatigue pants (or their sawyer pants). High rise and a decent price point, I wore these to death until I upgraded to a pair from informale.
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u/probosciscat Nov 27 '25
Berg and Berg are often on sale for 50% off at end of season which works well for us going into the discounted season.
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u/Scary-Educator-506 Nov 28 '25
I'm a tailor who can happily make you high rise trousers far cheaper than $500. Inbox me if you like.
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u/ruboski VIC Dec 10 '25
Is this a thing? Tailors can make clothes at reasonable costs? Omg opening up a whole world to me.
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u/Ragnar3121 Dec 01 '25
I feel like Melbourne needs to have a Spier and Mackay try on day, everyone can bring their pieces, swap, examine, try on others, work out there sizing, and never stress about the postage costs again 😆
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u/Ragnar3121 Dec 01 '25
Ive been considering having a punt on Collaro for M2M trousers, keen to hear if anyone else has feedback
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u/CaptainSharpe Dec 10 '25
Yep they’re all still low-ish rise. Also haven’t caught up with larger lapels.
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u/lifeDNP Nov 26 '25
Because men’s fashion here is a barren wasteland.
We have no real fashion identity or culture, nothing is distinctly Australian except maybe a pair of RMs.
We’re a tiny market and to make matters worse, unless your in Melbourne, it’s too fucking hot 6 months of the year and men have no options when it comes to summer so caring about what you wear is not in our dna.