Low rise describes a waistband that sits below the hip bones, noticeably lower than a mid rise or high rise cut. This places the top of the jeans well below the natural waist, which changes both the silhouette and how the garment behaves during everyday movement.
Because there is less fabric covering the midsection, low rise jeans can shift or gap at the back when sitting or bending, so a close, well fitted waist and hip measurement matters more with this rise than with higher styles. Low rise jeans are usually worn with tops that are not tucked in, or only partially tucked, since a fully tucked shirt can look odd against such a low waistband. The style has cycled in and out of fashion over the decades, often alongside slim or skinny leg cuts.
If comfort while sitting or moving is a priority, a mid or high rise is generally easier to live with day to day. See rise explained for how the categories differ, and how should jeans fit for tips on checking waist and hip fit before buying.
