5 Flattering Wide-Leg Jean Outfits for Women Over 50
I recently mentioned that straight-leg jeans and flare jeans are trending this spring, but the real superstars are wide-leg jeans. Want to know how to wear wide-leg jeans and how they differ from straight-leg jeans and flares?
- Straight-leg jeans have the same circumference from knee to hem.
- Flare Jeans (bell bottoms) are tight-fitting through the thigh to the knee, where they flare out into a wide base. The flare is often greatly exaggerated, like a giant bell.
- Wide Leg Jeans are wide from the thighs down to the hem of the pants. They have trouser-like legs.
- Palazzo Jeans are the widest type of wide-leg jeans. They are wide from the waist down, roomier in the leg and more flowy
- Skinny Jeans are very form fitting, especially from the thigh to ankle. They tend to have a tapered ankle, but they’re made to hug the legs.
Wide-leg jeans have an elegant, relaxed vibe and are very popular because they make you look tall and slim like your legs go on for miles.
This season’s best ones have a high waist, are snug across the hips, and flare out to the bottom of the leg. They come full length or cropped above the ankle. Here are a few of the newest wide-leg jeans and a some essential styling tips for looking modern and fabulous.
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Wide-Leg Jean Outfits
1. Style wide-leg jeans with a fitted top or a top tucked in.
Wide-leg jeans are most flattering when you wear them with a fitted top or shirt that is either cropped or that you tuck in. Creating a defined waist gives the illusion of an hourglass shape to create a flattering silhouette. (Cropped jackets are also excellent for this too.)
If you want to wear a roomier top with wide-leg jeans, like a pretty blouse, or an oversized sweater, be sure to tuck or half-tuck to highlight your waist. A belt also helps.
If you are short, you must be especially mindful of defining your waist. Long or voluminous tops with wide-leg pants can easily overwhelm your small frame and make you look short and wide.
Tall? Your long legs mean you 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 a flattering width for your body shape.
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. Many this spring are very wide—close to palazzo pants!
The wider your flares, the shorter you will look, so keep this in mind if you are petite. Look for wide-leg jeans that are slim in the leg and flare out at the knee. If the flare starts earlier, it will drown your petite frame.
- Curvy Hourglass types: You should be careful about jeans with such massive 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.
- Apple-body shapes can use wide-leg jeans to balance a wider midsection and create a more proportional silhouette.
- Pear-shaped gals, be careful with this style! The right pair can elongate your legs and highlight your waist. The wrong pair can emphasize the width of your hips and thighs.
While wide-leg jeans can complement various body types, it’s all a matter of balance. Check the mirror and find a pair that gives you that beautiful shape.
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3. Dark wash tends to be more slimming.
Wide-leg jeans come in several washes this season, from light-wash blue to inky black. A dark wash will also help maximize wide-leg jeans’ long, leggy look. Another way is with a monochromatic look. Wear tone-on-tone shades of one color head to toe. For example, multiple shades of black & gray or navy & blue, which is slimming.
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4. Heels can enhance the look.
For the best leg-lengthening effect, wear your wide-leg jeans with heels, even if that means low heels. Also, compared to a fine, skinny heel, a chunky heel or wedge balances out the flare. Wide-leg jeans are intended to be long 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. Many women wear this shorter length with statement sneakers, which are cute.
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5. Faded or light wash adds a Boho vibe.
I mentioned earlier that wide-leg jeans with a light wash are trending. If you love vintage, hop on this color trend. Wide-leg jeans in a light faded wash with a pretty linen peasant blouse will give you a laid-back boho style. You can also create a more energetic look by wearing light-wash jeans with a pop of bright color. Lightwash denim + saturated colors like bold, bright green, yellow, and blue are a modern color mix for summer.
For other light wash styles that got a thumbs up from me, check out this post.
6. Choose the right shoes for your style.
It’s hard to find a pair of shoes that don’t look flattering with wide-leg jeans, but always remember to consider the style and cut you’re wearing. For example, you won’t want to wear knee-high boots with wide-leg jeans because they can add bulk. Instead, ankle boots and chic and timeless—especially with cropped wide-leg denim styles.
Other shoe styles that pair nicely with wide-leg jeans are slingbacks, mules, loafers, or even summery sandals.
7. Go monochromatic for formal or business casual.
Wide-leg jeans can be stunning for business casual or more refined ensembles. A key tip to remember here is that you never want to wear light wash denim when you want to look sophisticated and timeless. Not only is dark denim more slimming, but it offers a more professional approach.
When you try to wear light wash styles in professional settings, you risk looking tired ands worn out. Save the light wash for casual or beach wear—it’s more practical!
8. Don’t forget to prioritize comfort.
At the end of the day, no matter how fashionable something is, what’s the use in wearing it if it isn’t comfortable? We’re not abiding by the “pain is beauty” mantra anymore, you don’t have to be uncomfortable to look Age-amazing.
High-rise jeans, for example, are incredibly flattering but they aren’t always comfortable. Certain fabrics and materials may look good, but they may feel suffocating. Make sure to prioritize what feels comfortable for you. If you aren’t comfortable and confident in what you wear, it shows!
Other Ways to Style High-waisted Wide-leg jeans
Besides looking great with a tucked-in top, high-waisted, wide-leg jeans look fantastic with anything cropped, like a
- cropped jacket – Chanel- Chanel-inspired tweed type looks fab. or even a cropped denim jacket
- cropped cardigan – worn on its own buttoned up or with a white shirt underneath with shirt tails peeking out
- cropped sweater – a chunky cropped sweater and a pair of wide-flare jeans is fabulous
- Top with horizontal stripes – I like the look of a boat neck and horizontal striped top tucked into wide-leg jeans, which gives a nautical look. Funny enough, wide-leg jeans are said to have first been worn by sailors, so no wonder it is a good look!
Wide-leg jeans are an easy way to look modern and chic!
As denim trends come and go, wide-leg denim is here to stay. Whether you want an on-the-go chic look or you need something more refined for formal settings, there are plenty of easy ways to style them so they fit your desired vibe.
Make sure you’re keeping up with my LTK storefront; this is where you’re able to access all of my favorite pieces in one central place. Don’t forget to discuss all the ways you’re styling wide-leg jeans in The Fabulous After 40 Dressing Room, which you can join right here!
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After reading some comments about skinny vs. wide legs, I need to weigh in! I think this is a great time for fashion because I think we have more options now. I love my skinnies with my tall boots, and I wear them dancing all the time or with my 1″ heels, which I wear sometimes during the day. But, I love the option to change my silhouette by wearing flares, bell bottoms, and wide legs, although I have not found a true petite wide leg. I’m petite and way under 5’4″. My bell bottoms are a girl’s size, and I get compliments when I wear them with heels. I remember when I was in 7th and 8th grade, I had sewing in school. I still have the patterns for the wide leg – maybe I should make them myself, LOL!!
A straight or wide-leg jean is more flattering than a skinny jean for most body types. Skinny jeans simply aren’t that popular right now. I do agree that cropped wide-leg jeans aren’t for everyone’s body type. The great thing is that there really isn’t a “ruling” jean type and that’s a good thing so everyone can wear their fav and still be in style.
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