For the last few months, my prior posts on how to wear wide-leg pants have been on fire! It’s clearly a topic that is resonating with people as summer approaches. So today I’m going to consolidate all the best tips for how to look great in wide-leg pants.
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How to Fit Wide-Leg Pants
To look great, keep wide-leg pants fitted at the waist and rear. Staying neat on top is critical to carrying off volume in the leg.
Clearly define your waist. This can be done in several ways:
- Add a moderate to slightly wide belt.
- Wear a fitted top.
- Make sure your top is tucked, knotted, or cropped so your waist is clearly delineated.
Keep any layering pieces (cardigans, jackets) at hip level or higher.
GREAT Shoe Pairings for Wide-Leg Crops
| Cropped Style | Full-Length Style | |
|---|---|---|
| Sneaker | YES | YES |
| Ballet Flat | NO, UNLESS * | YES |
| Flatform / Thick-Sole Flat | YES | YES |
| Mule | YES | YES, BUT * |
| Wedge | YES | YES, BUT * |
| Slingback | YES | YES, BUT * |
| Boots | Yes, BUT * | YES, BUT * |
As you can see, a few of the combinations above come with caveats. For cropped style wide-leg pants, note the following:
- Avoid ballet flats unless it is a pointed-toe style that will elongate your leg line.
- When pairing with boots, opt for a low to mid-shaft style. You want the top of the boot to be fully beneath the hemline of the pant.
- For mules and slingbacks, those with a chunkier heel will look much better than those with a kitten or thin, stiletto-style heel.
With regard to full-length styles:
- For anything that has a heel (mule, wedge, slingback, or boots), the most flattering look will come when the pant is long enough to nearly reach the ground, clearing by just a half-inch or so.
- Again, chunkier styles are preferred, both to balance the volume of the pant and to minimize the tripping risk that comes with a stiletto-style heel.
What to Avoid When Wearing Wide-Leg Pants
- Loose tops.
- Long tops.
- Skinny belts.
- Barely-there flats, kitten heels, and stilettos.
Until next time…keep cultivating a simple, stylish, and satisfying life!
Loving your style tips – and that shoe-pairing chart is so genius, girl! I’m not a huge fan of wide leg pants being short … but I might need to give them a try again!
I’m so glad you like the shoe-pairing chart! Yes, fit can be tougher for us shorter girls. I’ve found those with a slightly higher waist help lengthen my leg. And a heel doesn’t hurt! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!