Skinny jeans are have moved to the sidelines, making way for 2 new styles. Recently I mentioned that straight-leg jeans are trending, but wide-leg jeans are the new superstar. Here are 3 cool wide-leg jeans outfits, plus how to wear this new silhouette.
What’s so Great about Wide-Leg Jeans?
Wide leg jeans have a relaxed 70’s vibe and are very popular because they make you look tall and slim, like your legs go on for miles. The best ones are snug across the hips and then flare out towards the bottom. There are a few different ways to wear wide-leg jeans, and a lot of it comes down to your height.
1. Wear Wide Leg Jeans with a Fitted Top
Wide leg jeans are most flattering on everyone when you wear them with a fitted top that is cropped or tucked in. A defined waist with a wide leg gives the illusion of an hourglass shape. (Crop jackets are also wonderful too.)
If you want to wear a roomier top with wide-leg jeans like a pretty blouse or a big sweater, be sure to tuck or half-tuck in to highlight your waist. A belt also helps.
Short gals need to be especially mindful to define their waist. Long or voluminous tops with wide-leg pants can easily overwhelm their small frame and make them look short and wide.
Tall women, because of their long legs, can get away with a longer top over wide-leg jeans so long as it is not more than 3/4 length (above the knee).
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2. Choose the Right Cut
Wide-leg jeans come in different cuts. Some are tighter or looser across the hips and thighs, some start to flare sooner than others, and there are different sizes of flares.
If you are petite, make sure your jeans are not too wide. Look for wide-leg jeans that are slim in the leg and flare out at the knee. If the flare starts earlier, it is going to drown your petite frame.
If you are a Curvy gal, be careful about jeans with such huge flares that they exaggerate your already ample curves.
Rectangle -shaped gals can use flare jeans to create the illusion of curves where there are none.
Inverted triangle shapes can balance out their narrow bottom halves in a pair of wide-leg jeans full in the leg.
It’s all a matter of balance. Check in the mirror and find a pair that gives you that beautiful hourglass shape.
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4. A Dark Wash Elongates
A dark wash will also maximize the long leggy look of wide-leg jeans. You can also try a monochromatic look – all one color head to toe- which is very popular this year and quite slimming.
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3. Heels Maximize the Look
For the best leg-lengthening effect, wear your wide-leg jeans with heels, even if it is a small heel. A chunky heel or wedge balances out the flare. Your wide-leg jeans are meant to belong and should almost touch the floor. One quarter to one-half inch above the floor is about right.
These days cropped wide-leg jeans are popular too, and many women are wearing this shorter length with statement sneakers which can be a cute look.
Here are a few more wide leg jeans that are fabulous for summer.
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Hi Deborah,
Great post but I’m afraid I’m going to have to disagree with you :) Skinny jeans aren’t going anywhere! The wide leg is a fad that the fashion industry is trying to push on us but I can almost guarantee that we won’t be talking about them this time next year. The look, especially the cropped leg, is just not flattering on most women. I’ll hang on to my skinnies for now!
Hi Janice, Skinny jeans aren’t out because they are a classic style and I love my skinnies too!! But the more fashion-forward look for spring is straight leg or wide leg. I was reluctant to try these styles, especially cropped, but I just bought a pair of crop straight leg and long wide leg and I am really loving them. It’s nice to change things up. There are so many variations on these styles that it can take a while to find one right for you, or if you choose to stick with skinnies, that’s perfectly fine too. Cheers, Deborah