Lately I’ve been noticing somewhat of an aversion to wide legged pants. Whenever someone asks me for style advice and I suggestion a wide leg (great for ladies with hips, for example), more times than not it’s received with a grimace. Why is there this dislike of some breathing room in one’s pants? Is it because for the past few years we have been pummeled to death with straight and skinny jeans? I’m not sure! All I can say is a wide leg has the ability to elongate the leg and proportion most types of body shapes with ease – and it won’t take you 10 minutes to get them on!
Check out some celeb inspiration to show you how cute and sophisticated the wide leg look is. My favorite way to wear it? A basic white blouse or tee (love Kate Moss’s interpretation) with a structured jacket!
America Ferrera
Sandra Bullock
Penelope Cruz
Kate Moss
Ashley Olsen
Macy's Plus Size Model
All of these ladies have different body types, from curvy to slender, short to tall. Before you pass on this look, at least try it out! You may be surprised by how it looks on you. Now I know some ladies who carry a bit of weight in their lower half imagine that a cut that goes straight down from the hip would be WAY too much pant. If this is the case, try for a pair that are less full and somewhere between a straight and wide leg cut (check outthese from Old Navy or these from Forever21). Enjoy!
PS – I decided to throw on my own pair to demonstrate that shorties like me (5’3) can rock them too!
Kasil jeans, UO ruffled sleeve shirt, We who see booties
~Maria
Andrea bittner
1 year ago
I think the reason why people are opposed is that we don’t look like hollywood. we look like the macy’s plus size model and it’s not the most flattering of all of the pictures you posted. It’s not the straight leg that’s the problem, it’s the size of the pant in order to get that “breathing” room. – from Chunky Girls
admin Reply:
March 4th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I always encourage people to at least try a look out before they say no to it. From Kate and Ashley’s size 2,Sandra and Penelope’s size 6, America’s size 10, to the size 14 plus model, it has the effect of long, straight, proportioned legs. While the plus size model is not “the most flattering of all the pictures,” if she was in a tight jean her body would look much more top/bottom heavy and slightly chicken leggish. For most of us who are bigger than a size 0, paired with a form fitting top and by choosing a more straight cut like the options I showed, I believe it’s a very sophisticated look:)
Janine
1 year ago
The reason I don’t like a wide leg is that it looks messy. Flared jeans remind me of teen jeans that dragged on the ground. I like a fitted skinny because it feels so clean and chic and doesn’t rub up against furniture or anything when you walk.
admin Reply:
March 4th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
I can understand that. I’m just tired of seeing skinny jeans everywhere, and I’m sick of my butt slowly not fitting into them anymore!
Kristin Reply:
March 4th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Aww, don’t hate the flares!
I’m 26 and those are about the only jeans that look fabulous on me. It’s so hard to find them in a misses fit. I end up having to visit the teen departments and get a (discouraging) much larger size. And then they’re low cut 
But yes, back in middle school dragging super flares were the in thing.
admin Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Ugh, it is definitely hard to find jeans that aren’t low rised, definitely one of my pet peeves! Why would I want to worry about bending over all day?!
Leah H.
1 year ago
Thank you for doing a post on this! I have been looking for a pair of wide legged, trouser jeans lately. I always want to wear trendy pieces but then have no idea how to wear them.
I’ve also had a hankering for super flared jeans, like bell bottoms…I might not indulge in that want, though. Haha.
admin Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 11:22 am
I say keep an eye out for a sweet deal on trendy pieces. That way if later down the road you realize “what was I thinking?!” then you didn’t invest TOO much into it. Channel Rachel Zoe when you want to put vintage looking pieces together like bell bottoms – while some people don’t like her look I think she pulls it off well. It’s all about confidence!
ben
1 year ago
they remind me of the jeanco jeans i wore when i was a “skater”. sometimes they’re fine.
admin Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 11:20 am
I’d love to see that picture!
Renee
1 year ago
I have some trouser jeans from Target and i LOVE them! I think its important to have a “jean wardrobe”–skinnies are Not the best jean for every top! I think every woman should own a good wide-leg trouser jean, a skinny jean, and an everyday weekend-jean….but maybe I’m a little jean-obsessed =)