12 Ideas for How to Wear Wide-Leg Pants

Posted by Reinaldo Massengill on Sunday, May 5, 2024

Whether or not you ditched skinny jeans years ago, learning to wear wide-leg pants — without looking like you shopped a stranger's wardrobe — takes a bit of experimentation. Knowing how to gauge what tops to wear, which shoes work, and if you need to mix-up your accessories can get tricky, but once you've mastered the basics, there's a world of easy options.

The good thing about wide-leg pants, and especially wide-leg trousers, is that they're as versatile as jeans while still being roomy and comfortable. Plus, there's really only one thing to consider when putting together your look: proportion. 

Ahead, tips on how to wear wide-leg pants and the best ways to style the comfy trend.

With a Shacket

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The perennial outerwear favorite works well with high-waisted wide-leg pants, especially trousers. Go casual with a plaid or cargo style, or dress up your pants with a herringbone or bouclé style.

With an Oversized Blazer

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Whether you go for a matching blazer and pants or opt for another color, there are major cool points to be scored by wearing oversized tops and bottoms all at once. Try a buttoned-up double-breasted jacket for a dressier look or an open oversized blazer for a more relaxed feel.

With a Crop Top

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Wide-leg pants are less restrictive than other options and easy to move around in, but if you're worried about getting lost underneath baggy clothing, opt for a fitted or cropped top. This works well with embellished pants that demand to be the star of the ensemble.

As a Modern Tracksuit

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A luxurious twist on a tracksuit is easy to achieve with a wide-leg pant. Stick to soft, drapey fabrics like a high-end knit and consider a creamy palette and subtle stripe and overall monochromatic effect.

Try a Long Blouse

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Diaphanous pants call for an equally well-draped top, and a silky button-down more than meets that brief. If you prefer a cinched-in waist, add a belt or tie a corner of your shirt at the hip.

Layer Under a Skirt

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Skirts over pants are back in a big way, and wide-leg pants are now a huge part of the trend. An extra elegant take is to build a three-piece suit out of a blazer, slacks, and a skirt, all worn in tandem and the same color.

Add a Belt

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Most wide-leg pants styles have a higher rise, making them ideal for tucking in a top and cinching the waist with a belt. An all-black or monochromatic outfit gets a boost from a large buckle and a pop of color from a burgundy handbag.

Put on an Oversized Leather Jacket

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Nothing adds edge like a leather motorcycle jacket, and an oversized variety adds extra sophistication to wide-leg pants and can be easily draped over the shoulders if the weather turns warmer.

With a Vest

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Button-down vests are now officially acceptable as shirts, and they make a perfect partner for wide-leg pants and lend a slightly dandy-fied feel to the style.

A Silky Button-Down

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Perhaps the most versatile of tops, a classic button-down in a silky fabric is a perfect match for wide-leg pants, especially those with a '70s-inspired cut that's high-waisted and fitted through the hips. Tuck in the top, layer on the necklaces, and that's your look, mastered.

Put on a Racerback Tank

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Much like the button-down, a racerback tank pairs exceptionally well with a wide-leg trouser but lends a more relaxed and casual feel. Pile on the bangles and slip on a classic white sneaker, perfect for running errands or meeting a friend for brunch.

Opt for Jeans

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Denim wide-leg pants are perhaps the trickiest style to master, but a great way in is to start with sweaters. A Grandpa cardigan, a striped nautical crewneck style, and a creamy fisherman's sweater are all good places to start. If you choose to tuck in yours, consider adding a leather belt.

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