How To Wear Wide-Leg Jeans: Tips and Tricks for Nailing the Look
Wide-leg jeans are back—and they’re making a serious style statement. Once a staple of 90s and early 2000s fashion, the relaxed jeans have made a major comeback.
With a flattering fit and an effortless vibe, they’re a must-have in every fashion-forward wardrobe. Working for off-duty looks as well as being dressed up for a night out, wide-leg jeans are the perfect balance of comfort and chicness.
Hardworking and versatile, these jeans you can wear with everything in your existing wardrobe, from slouchy tees to tailored blouses.
Here, we’ll show you multiple ways to wear wide-leg jeans and provide some style tips to help you get the look right every time.
Choosing the right wide jeans for your body type
Not all cuts of wide-leg jeans are made the same, and that’s a good thing. This variety gives you plenty of options to experiment with and find what suits your body best.
For those with a smaller frame, a slightly cropped hem might be best for keeping things balanced. This will prevent the pants from overwhelming your figure.
If you have curves, a high-rise pair can help define your waist while the fabric grazes your hips. This creates a beautiful silhouette and is comfortable to move in and wear.
Classic ways to style wide-leg jeans
Want to wear wide-leg jeans without the look of drowning in fabric? Keep it simple and classic by pairing them with a tucked-in shirt. Whether it’s a fitted tee or a crisp button-down, the key is to define your waist and avoid losing your shape.
For an easygoing everyday look, pair a comfortable top with your jeans and, weather permitting, trainers or sandals for a simple, laid-back look that never fails.
If you’re after an outfit that’s a little dressier, a tailored blazer over a ticked blouse is always a failsafe option. The balance of structure with the relaxed fit of jeans gives a chic silhouette.
What footwear to wear with wide-leg jeans
The beauty of wide-leg jeans is that there are many different footwear options. Here, we share some style tips on the shoes that work best with this style of jeans and the ones that should be avoided.
Shoes to wear with wide-leg jeans
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Trainers: Slim-fitting, sleek trainers work best to help balance out the shape of the jeans. The most important thing is that they’re comfortable.
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Ballet flats: Add beauty to your outfit with the addition of ballet flats. They’re great for when you want to smarten up your wide-leg jeans without the need for a heel.
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Loafers: Loafers make a great flat-shoe choice for wide-leg jeans. Just make sure they don’t have a big tread, as it can make the shoes feel a little too heavy with this style of jeans.
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Heeled boots: Pair heeled boots with wide-leg jeans to keep things sophisticated and chic. A chunky heel adds height and comfort, but we also love slim-fitting styles.
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Heels: If you’re wearing jeans and a nice top for a night out, a pair of heels will perfectly complete the outfit. Strappy heels, mules, or pointed pumps all work; it just depends on the style of the top you’re wearing.
Shoes to avoid with wide-leg jeans
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Chunky boots: A pair of chunky boots will add too much heaviness to the bottom half of your look, which unbalances your proportions.
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Chunky trainers: Again, anything chunky on your feet doesn’t look great, as there’s too much going on at the bottom of your look. It’s best to keep things simple and sleek.
What top to wear with wide-leg jeans
Remember the styling trick with wide-leg jeans: Balance the volume on the bottom with a top that complements the fit. Wear a fitted or semi-fitted top for an easy yet flattering look.
Pair wide-leg jeans with a form-hugging turtleneck to create the illusion of a really long body. A cropped sweater that sits just about the waistband of the jeans is great for achieving balance in the look. You can also tuck in a shirt into your jeans, maybe leaving a few buttons undone and half the shirt hanging out so you can still define your waistline. Or tuck it all in and add a belt to draw the eye to the waistline.
The goal is to create a balance between the fullness of the jeans to create a flattering silhouette that doesn’t drown your body.
Layering with wide-leg jeans
Just because wide-leg jeans are roomy, it doesn’t mean they can’t handle layers. Think of them as a canvas for experimenting with outerwear.
A structured leather jacket or a cosy cardigan adds texture and dimension without overwhelming the look. For a more casual vibe, wear a Canadian tuxedo, pair your wide-leg jeans with a denim jacket, and finish with a simple vest and trainers.
Oversized coats look great with wide-leg jeans, especially if you’re wearing a cropped pair. The coat’s clean lines and long drape will add sophistication to your outfit. A pair of heeled boots will complete the look perfectly.
To create a stylish evening look, add a statement blazer to your wide-leg jeans. A simple top, heels, and a blazer make a great combination. To give your outfit some shape, pull up the sleeves on your blazer or add a belt if necessary.
Tucking, cropping and styling the waist
Let’s talk about waistlines because how you style your jeans’ waist can make a big difference in your overall look. High-waisted wide-leg jeans are often the most flattering because they elongate the legs and help define your shape.
Tucking your tops in is your best bet to give your waist more definition, but don’t think everything has to be form-fitting. A soft, drapey blouse can work well here to help you not feel too constricted.
Whether you’re tucking in the whole top or just a portion, the key to getting it right is not to create bulk at the waist. The best trick is to fold up your top half under itself and tuck just the smallest amount into the jeans so you still have clean lines from your waist down.
Cropped wide-leg jeans are another style to consider. A cropped style helps to balance the volume at the bottom of the jeans and makes the outfit look put together.
Hopefully, our tips and tricks will help you nail the wide-leg jean trend and make you feel confident trying a new style. Shop NNFashion’s wide-leg jeans today and start experimenting with your looks.
