After season after season of skinnies, pant hems are getting wider and wider. Yep, wide-leg pants are back for spring and will be huge for fall. I, for one, love a good pair of wide-leg pants. The more forgiving style is perfect for work with a tucked-in blouse, or a fitted sweater. I also love to dress down a pair of wide leg pants with a t-shirt and sneakers. Personally, I’m a fan of playing with proportions, and that’s the trick to wear wide-leg pants without being swallowed up.
Wide-leg pants can be tricky to pull off no doubt. You need to balance the volume on bottom. To wear wide leg pants, you need to pair them with a fitted or tucked-in top. If you’re going to go oversized on top and bottom, you need your top to hit at the right spot and still have a narrow enough fit to allow some of your shape to come through. When it comes to footwear, stick to heels or platforms or wedges, especially if you’re petite — you’ll need the added height to keep the wide leg from swallowing you up. If you’re on the taller side or have a great tailor, I love contrasting a more formal feel of a wide-leg pant with sneakers. Just make sure the pant hems aren’t dragging on the ground.
The real key for how to wear wide-leg pants though is to make sure to get the right fit. You don’t want the pockets don’t stick out and bunch. You want them to fit just right — not too tight so that the sides are bunching and popping but not too loose either. I highly recommend employing a tailor to get them just right.
Here are some more tips for how to wear wide leg pants:
Get the Fit Right: Ensure that the wide-leg pants fit well in the waist and hips. They should be snug but not too tight in these areas. High-waisted wide-leg pants can make your legs appear longer. Really wide pants can overwhelm a more petite frame, so consider a more moderate flare.
Get the Length Right: Make sure the length of your wide-leg pants is appropriate for your chosen footwear. They should skim the top of your shoes without dragging on the ground.
Balance the Proportions: To create a balanced silhouette, pair wide leg bottoms with a more fitted or tailored top. Tucking in your top can help define your waist and create a more polished look.
Choose the Right Footwear: Wide-leg pants look great with heels or wedges, as they add height and elongate your legs. You can also wear them with ankle boots or sneakers for a more casual vibe.
Consider the Occasion: For a casual look, opt for a relaxed, flowy wide-leg pant. For a more formal setting, choose a tailored, structured pair. Silk pants work great for a night out, the office or a dressier event.
Use Accessories to Make the Proportions Work: Add a belt to cinch your waist and create more definition.
Here are some of my favorite ways to wear wide leg pants.
Lisa Tyson says
I just love wide-leg pants. They are so much more comfortable to wear, and now, fashionable too. Thanks for sharing.