How to Wear Wide-Leg Pants: Fall Guide to This Season’s Biggest Trends
Wider cuts in both pants and jeans continue their resurgence this season, and whether you lean toward sloucy or sleek versions they remain a fashion staple. High-waisted styles remain popular, but lower-rise wide-leg jeans are gaining momentum. Mid-rise offers a versatile middle ground that suits many body types. The key is to choose the rise—high, mid, or low—that fits your proportions and your personal style.
Keep in mind, that while a sleek wide-leg will have an amazing leg lengthening effect, the higher the rise the longer the legs appear. Let's cover the basic styling tips for mastering the look.
Body Type and Balance
Wide-leg cuts elongate the leg which is great if you are petite. Just be sure that the width of the overall cut or the flare at the bottom does not overwhelm your shorter frame. Look for a version on the less-wide side or bring them to a tailor and take them in!
If you are short waisted (the space between your bust and hips) a high waist will land too close to the bust so instead opt for a mid-rise which will give a similar effect.
Shoes & Hemlines
Wider pants and denim should be hemmed to graze the floor, so the height of your heel matters when you head to the tailor. If too long, they’ll drag on the floor; too short and they’ll look like “floods” - especially noticeable because of their wide bottom.
Shoes are easy with wide-legs since they are not the main event -- giving you more options than with skinnies. While so many shoes work with wide-leg, we love pairs that give you some extra height to further accentuate the leg line and show off the wide bottom. Whether it’s casual or dressy — a flatform, wedge, ankle boot, or pump — thee will elongate the leg and keep this trend easy and sophisticated.
Pro tip: Choose a shoe with enough visual weight to stay balanced. A delicate kitten heel might get lost, while a chunkier heel or a shoe with a substantial toe box holds its own and complements the volume of the pant.
Proportions
Tops need to accommodate and balance the high waist and wider silhouette. Whatever top you choose, make sure it doesn’t go much past the waistline of your pants. If the top is too long, it will throw off your proportions. Tuck your shirt in or wear one that hits just below the waistline or go for a crop that hits above it.
The wide leg with its extra fabric works best when paired with a slimmer more structured top to maintain proportion, and avoid a look that is overwhelmed with too much fabric. If you prefer a looser cut on top, choose a cropped length or tuck it into a higher waist to avoid visual bulk. I find you can’t go wrong with a basic t-shirt, my personal go-to top with wider pants.
Belts are a great way to help visually define your proportions by accentuating the waist and marking the “start” of your leg line — especially helpful with wide-leg pants. They highlight your shape and enhance the overall elongation effect.
After years of skinnies, are you loving the new wider leg vibes?
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