How to Style Wide Leg Pants as a Grown-ass Woman
If you're like me, you're looking at your closet and wondering what you're going to wear as the seasons change. I think a lot about pants, as I think they are the easiest and most impactful way to update an existing closet. I find the wide-leg fashion trend to look modern, fresh, and comfortable. Below, I share some tips on how to style wide-leg pants as a grown woman, along with photos of myself wearing different wide-leg pant outfits.
All women have the right to wear whatever they wish. I do not subscribe to the belief that women of a certain age shouldn't wear certain styles. In fact, these days I think such a mentality is incredibly dated. Fashion is fluid, and true style comes from dressing for yourself not for the approval of others. As grown-ass women, we have earned the right to wear what brings us comfort and joy.
Choosing a Closet of Comfort and Joy
Comfort goes beyond whether an item binds, restricts, or irritates. Comfort also comes from clothing that allows you to be your most confident, true self. For some, that may be a wide-leg ponte trouser with a pull-on waistband. For others, it may be high-waisted leather jeans that fit like a second skin. Comfort is personal, unique, and deserved.
Joy is also personal. Joy can come from color, texture, trend, sentimentality, and more. But comfort and joy should be at the forefront when considering adding anything to your existing wardrobe. You likely already own “gets the job done” apparel. Let's add comfort and joy to your existing closet with a pair of pants that will work with your existing knitwear, shirts and blouses, jackets, and toppers.
The Trends, They Are a-Changin'
Like the skinny jeans trend, the primary pants trend for the past decade+ has been slim- to skinny-fit ankle pants. Often compared to pants worn by Audrey Hepburn (and often named after her), these pants have been seen as a wardrobe classic for years. The perk of the style is its versatility. It could work with a tailored blazer or an oversized t-shirt, a turtleneck sweater or a tissue-weight tank, stilettos or sneakers.
With so much versatility over the years, we've likely found our recipe for a balanced (or at least comfortable) outfit with tailored ankle pants.
Some slim ankle pant styles that have had enduring popularity in the past decade are the Old Navy Pixie Pant, the ELOQUII Kady Pant, the Talbots Chatham Pant, and the Chico's Brigitte Pant. Please know these pants are still stylish, but pants trends in recent years have become more expansive… literally.
As I've often mentioned this past year on Wardrobe Oxygen, fashion right now is about taking up the space you deserve. You can do this by wearing bold colors, trying trends that break style rules for slenderizing or hiding the body, or choosing silhouettes that are looser, bolder, or styles with more fabric and flow or architectural details.
Style Rules Are No Longer Stylish
Despite what Stacy and Clinton may have stated back in Y2K, a skinny pant will not make you look even five pounds smaller than wearing looser trousers. This, like other style rules were created to make everyone fit a specific ideal. And that concept in 2024 can actually be unstylish. You never know, you may experience both comfort and joy from trying a different cut of pant.
In 2024, comfort and joy increase personal style quotient exponentially. There's a strong focus on using clothing to express yourself, street style, and playing with proportions, color, and pattern. Contemporary clothing is inspired by the 90s, but also fashion from every decade from the past century. We are seeing more diversity in the media regarding body, race, age, and ability. In 2024, the most stylish thing one can wear is confidence and that comes from knowing and respecting yourself.
If you own skinny ankle pants, please continue to wear them. I do not condone disposing of anything in your closet that fits and functions in your life and wardrobe. But I also know that we grown-ass women have grown up with a heckuva lot of style rules, and by occasionally breaking one, you may find they were holding us back from finding our personal style. At least, that's what I'm finding out in this second half of life.
We all deserve to wear what brings us comfort and joy, and the only way we can find what provides that is to try new things with a new attitude. Nothing is more stylish than knowing yourself and dressing for yourself and not for others. And right now, fashion is more supportive than it has been in decades to try new things, play, and maybe break some rules without negative outcomes.
How to Style Wide Leg Pant as a Grown Woman
The current trend of wide-leg pants is whatever you want them to be. Soft silk, rayon, and crepe; sturdy yet stretchy ponte, relaxed chino and linen, professional suiting fabrics, and dressy fabrics like satin and brocade. Most styles have at least some elastic at the waist, whether they are a pull-on style or have a traditional fly and hidden elastic in back.
As for best rise of wide leg pants, that too is whatever you want, and you will find everything from Y2K-inspired hip huggers to ribcage-grazing high rises. I personally find a mid- to high-rise the easiest to wear and the most commonly found at retailers.
Styling Wide Leg Pants with a Graphic T-Shirt
For so long, wide-leg pants gave a feeling of formality. Like suiting trousers or palazzo pants, wide legs were dressy and swishy. And they can still read dressy, but they can also be dressed down with casual pieces like tank tops, denim jackets, sneakers, sandals, and graphic T-shirts.
Styling wide leg pants with a graphic t-shirt:
pants (sizes 2-20 w/ tall/short) | t-shirt (XS-XXL) | bag | jacket | lipcolor | sunglasses | sneakers | earrings
If you love rocking a graphic t-shirt with your skinny ankle pants and sneakers, this is an easy transition to a wider leg. You can tuck in the t-shirt or knot it (my preferred knot is this one which I show how to do in an Instagram video). A pair of sneakers looks great with wide-leg pants. While I have sunset brights in this outfit, you can easily go more neutral.
I ordered these pants and liked the quality and cut, especially for costing less than $70. However, I returned them because they ran big and, at the time, didn't have the smaller size in stock. Pants of this fabric and style can be, depending on your climate, worn year-round and easily dressed up or down. At the time of publication, these specific pants are in stock in black, ivory, and a paler shade of pink.
The lipcolor in the collage is a favorite to tuck in a bag for a quick swipe of color that doesn't have to be super precise (AKA enjoy that latte). BTW, use WOXYGEN at checkout and get 15% off that lipcolor and everything else at Flyte.70.
If I hadn't raised my arm and the shirt was looser, this would have covered most of the pant's elastic waist. Shorter t-shirt sleeves may expose the upper arms, but they also elongate the arm, make the shoulder seem broader, and create balance with the wide-leg pants.
Styling Wide Leg Pants with Sandals
As the weather warms, sandals can keep you cool and comfortable. They also look great styled with wide leg pants! My preference are Birkentocks which are supportive and in style this year, but you can do a flat sandal, slight wedge, or most any style to loo vacation chic.
Styling wide leg pants with sandals:
cashmere tee (sizes XS-XL) | pants (sizes 00-28W w/ petite/tall) | sandals | tote | lipcolor | reading glasses | scarf (wear as a belt) | earrings
I chose these pants after a rave review from a member of the Wardrobe Oxygen Community on Facebook. They come in multiple colors and can dress up for work or dress down for the weekend with ease. Wear with boots, sneakers, or your favorite sandals (I own this exact pair in red). I wore these same pants all spring, summer, and will continue into fall. They wash well and drape beautifully.
To better secure a folded-under sweater or to fake a tucked look, consider a Beltaway. Have the belt between the layers of the sweater, with the folded under part between your body and the belt and above your skirt or pants. This will keep it folded under even if you use the facilities. Here is a video I made to better visualize how to use the Beltaway.
Styling Wide Leg Pants with an Untucked Top
Style lightweight wide-leg pants either by balancing the volume with a slimmer or tucked in top, or embrace the volume with a matching voluminous top or relaxed blazer. To keep volume with volume from looking like pajamas, focus on fit. Yes, even oversized can and should be tailored. A grown-ass woman has her sleeves the right length, the fit loose but not sloppy.
Styling wide leg pants with an untucked top:
shirt (sizes XS-XXL w/ petite/tall; link for plus) | lightweight jeans (XS-4X w/ tall) | hat | sunglasses | hoops | bag | facecolor | sandals
To keep from being a box, consider unbuttoning the last buttons of the shirt and rolling up the sleeves. Create the sense of a waist by knotting the shirt, or wear the shirt partially or completely open over a white tank.
Wide-leg pants and wide-leg jeans before now had primarily been cropped to the ankle bone. While you can still wear such styles, this year pants have gone full-length. Your wide-leg pants now should hit 1/2″ to 1/4″ from the floor covering most of your shoe.
Styling Wide Leg Pants for the Office
Styling wide leg pants for the office:
blouse (sizes 2-10/22 & petite) | similar pants (sizes 00-24 w/ petite & tall) | reading glasses | laptop tote | earrings | flats
Sadly, the company that makes the pants in the collage has gone out of business; I linked the above to a similar pair. They are unlined and crepe, which gives them great drape and makes them machine washable. I've styled them with a range of looks but love them with a silky blouse and a structured flat with a modern square toe. Leave the blouse out, tuck it in, roll up the sleeves (or use sleeve garters), the choice is yours! I own several bags from this bag brand and can attest for the quality.
Styling Wide Leg Pants for the Weekend
After a couple of years of joggers and sweats, elevate your weekend look with pull-on wide leg pants that are just as comfy and easy-care but incorporate a current silhouette.
Styling wide leg pants for the weekend:
shirt (sizes 00-40) | pants (sizes 00-40) | sunglasses | lipcolor | belt bag (wear as a crossbody) | fitness tracker | earrings | sneakers
This is literally an outfit I own and wear. I own the top, the pants, the shoes, the lipcolor, and the fitness tracker (which I personally use more to track quality of sleep, health, and stress). I have a smaller version of this belt bag and it has done me well as a crossbody all summer long. And I did a very detailed review of these sneakers and why I think they're great for travel, walking, and everyday.
Old rules may say a dark or matching shoe will elongate but as you see, a white sneaker (an Adidas “bold” style of sneaker that has a subtle platform) does make me look shorter and I am able to be in comfortable shoes and look contemporary too.
I hope these examples of how to style wide leg pants (as well as wide leg jeans) get your sartorial juices flowing and you're inspired to try this silhouette. The wide-leg pant trend isn't going anywhere, and once you try it and get familiar with this new silhouette, you may find you really enjoy it! Let me know how it works for you!
Please note that I wrote this post at the beginning of 2023 but updated it for 2024 as this guide has become quite popular, and several requested photo examples as well as wide-leg styling suggestions. Thank you for this feedback and for giving me the opportunity to make this a more valuable resource.
I cannot guarantee that the merchandise I style and link to in this guide to styling wide-leg pants will remain in stock. I will try to update this guide periodically with new styling suggestions and links to shop.
To see more of my outfits, which often include wide-leg pants, you can visit my outfit posts on Wardrobe Oxygen, or consider following me on Instagram (I share Stories far more often than I past photos and Reels, and link to most of my outfits on LTK).
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I’m 67, soon to be 68. 5′ 6, size 14 (ugh) Bought a pair of palazzo, olive green XL. I was able to pull them up comfortably, BUT the thigh area seems huge, across my hips are good. How form fitting should they be to my thighs or I guess the question is how should the Palazzo pants fit?
#2 The material hangs beautifully, Medium weight. I’m a cardigan fan; prefer the long cardigans, or at least cover my butt. Is it a No on a long cardigan for palazzo pants?
The problem with a long cardigan is there is no proportion and any waist or curve is lost, even if it’s a slimmer long cardigan. If you are to do a longer cardigan, I recommend wearing a belt or something to create a division between top and pant with the cardigan layered but open over it. As for fit, it really is a personal preference when it comes to wide leg pants or palazzos. They go from skimming thighs to being a-lines on each leg from hip down. The thigh area is the hardest part to get used to, and know if you don’t like it you don’t have to wear it. Any leg style is on trend right now so wear what makes you feel your best!
Alison, I love all these looks. Can you please tell me the maker of the linen-looking, pull on pants in the photo with your t-shirt knotted at the waist? I remember loving the look last summer and if I can track them down this summer I will!
Thanks for all you do!
Lol, loving that Wintour Sports tee! But can I justify spending that much on a t-shirt? :-/
It isn’t cheap, but it is also a small business who not only creates the tee but the artwork. I bet you can find a similar concept on Etsy or Red Bubble.
Someone on the Facebook page recommended the Marks and Spencer pants for work, and I love them. I have them in cream and navy, and the petite length is perfect for flats and low heels. I also find them tummy-friendly, which may be why they seemed large on you, Alison. By contrast, I have trouble wearing the Harlows that everyone else seems to love because they are not generously waisted and if I go up a size they’d be too voluminous on me in the leg and hip. I just squeezed into a pair last summer but I doubt I can wear them again this summer.
I feel like skinnier pants are easier for me to work with because if I have to go up a size for my waist, there isn’t a bunch of volume to deal with. But I have found some wider-leg pants I like.
Finally, something seems to be wrong with the Brass Clothing website. Your links didn’t work, nor did trying to access it from Google. Not sure what’s up there.
So I’ve been kind of pushed into wearing wide leg pants ( not a fan…) due to knee surgery and subsequently wearing a brace. I needed something that was easy to pull on and had stretch…Amazon to the rescue! Wide legged yoga pants fit the bill! Washable breathable with the yoga waist band and pockets! I cannot with the Uber long length…so gross dragging through mud,rain and just germ-y….back in the ‘70’s!!! I remember meeting more than a few fashionistas on crutches due to tripping on their flow-y wide leggeds and platforms, one woman I worked with broke her leg..so hard no for this old lady. Anyway for those who just want to dip their toes in try wide legged yoga pants. I’m a shorty so mine are just at ankle which works..one surgery on a wrecked limb is enough! (Yes due to tripping…)
Alison thank you for all you do, I’m going to try the knot as I am getting tired of the ubiquitous French tuck.
Love that you updated this wide legs pants post as summer ramps up! As this weekend launched the swamp days summer in DC, it’s helpful to have some inspiration.
Unfortunately, the Brass Clothing pants link in the post no longer works. They apparently closed this past February. 🙁
I’d love to see a pic of you wearing the complete outfit not just a flat lay. I’m sure they are look gorgeous but a photo would help visualise our clothes that are similar.
But what do I do with all these bigger shirts and sweaters I’ve purchased for years and that I like? Is there a way to wear a larger shirt, maybe open over a tank, without looking bigger than a bard AND messy?
Do all wide leg pants have pleats at the stomach? It seems like so many do. I just don’t think that works for those of us with a tummy. Maybe I’ll just have to try some on.
No not all, but I have some with pleats and I have a tummy you can see them at: https://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/one-week-one-bag-summer-road-trip-capsule-wardrobe/ and https://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/what-i-wore-recently-belated-april-and-a-touch-of-may/ and several times on Instagram (I’m @wardrobe_oxygen). I too was super hesitant thinking they’d emphasize my stomach but pleats are different these days, and at least these Madewell pants are a lightweight fabric so they don’t buckle out adding bulk. However, the Brass ones I have linked above are like a matte jersey or crepe and I don’t believe have pleats. I also have those. And I have pleat-free wide-leg pants I recently got at Ann Taylor too!
Okay! Bought the Marks and Spencer wide leg pants. I really like them. Hope they like me!
I struggle with shoe choices for work wide-leg pants. Sneakers and sandals are great but a lot of times my choices seem wrong when I have to dress up given the volume of the pants. Help!
I think what matters is having some volume to keep up with the volume of the pants. A square toe instead of round or pointed. A lug or platform sole. A chunkier style. I really like a loafer with a thick sole with wide legs, as well as a square-toe bootie with a block heel.
I love wide leg pants. They are comfortable and stylish and I am 5’2 and can pull them off. Thank you for style critique I am 76 years old …don’t look it and don’t feel it.
Alison, you helped me be brave and order my very first pair of cropped, wide-leg jeans. The ones I ordered are Charter Club. They fit like an dream and are such a fun look–so different from my usual boyfriend mid-rise jeans. The jeans going to be in my suitcase for an upcoming weekend with 2 of my sisters. I already told my sisters I’ve upped my style game. Thank you!
Yikes! Okay I’ve ordered some wide legged pants. But this 4’11” over 50 lady is nervous lol! The link for the stripped top doesn’t work unfortunately. I was wanting it with the acorn colored pants. Oh well, I’m hoping I’ll find one for the summer soon. Thanks for the advice and inspiration!
For my fellow petites, I highly recommend Uniqlo! I have a pair of their satin wide legs that fit exquisitely – a Japanese sizing model means they can still be worn with flat shoes without dragging on the floor!
You may need to look specifically for their ‘Asian sizing’ if you’re in the USA though – I don’t know if they scale up the rest of their sizes in the west.
Love, love, loving the wide leg pants and each of these outfits speaks to me! What sort of belts do you recommend with wide leg pants and jeans? I’m having trouble deciding between thicker belts that seem in proportion to the legs, or thinner belts to let the legs be the statement.
both! I like a thinner belt with a lightweight top and a thicker belt when paired with a structured or heavyweight top.
For the record, Stacy and Clinton advocated for straight leg pants, neither skinny nor wide, if I recall correctly. It was back when bootcuts were ubiquitous for “slimming”?
That’s what I remember too. Wider pants leg balanced out wide hips. I’ve followed this advice ever since, since I have problem feet and can’t wear cute ballet flats, heels or loafers. Feel the skinny jeans emphasizes my orthopedic type shoes or Hoka tennies, so wear straight leg pants.
Wow. Can I ever relate to this. Narrow shoulder, broader hips, orthopedic shoes and 5’4”! Currently need to find online the perfect top (sz 4-6) for my wide leg black halogen high waist pleat front pants. Needs to be “cocktail attire” dressy for a holiday party next week grateful for any help!
I want to second the rave about those Madewell pants. I tried them on in store (didn’t buy them because they didn’t have petite and I didn’t want to have to hem an already expensive pair of pants!) but I still think about them! I thought the pleating in front would create a poofy silhouette but it actually did the opposite. And the fabric was super soft and had a lot of movement while maintaining a good amount of structure. Hmmm, maybe I will buy them online in petite!
I wish they made petites in larger sizes! I can handle shortening things but I also know an almost 14″+ rise is far too much for me at 5’2″. A larger petite *might* have worked.
I’m waiting for rises to come back down a little. Once it gets to 11″ it’s on my rib cage — not only uncomfortable but makes tucking in look silly! The best on me is closer to a mid-rise, which looks like a high rise on my body. I’d really like a pair of wide-legs but so far haven’t found one that is in my size and scaled for my height. I’ve been shopping for pants for a few months and striking out.
I LOVE all these ideas on how to style wide-leg pants. The trend seems so fresh! However I do worry, at almost 60 years of age, that wearing that style of pant with sneakers might possibly read..old. I mean, I remember my mom in her 80s wearing….wide-leg trousers with sneakers. Right?! Although come to think of it, her “sneakers” were more orthopedic shoes so maybe I’m safe?
Also LOVE that green crossbody sling bag. Adorable.
I hesitate to mention these pants because they’re no longer available — but maybe someone will wise up and create something similar: I have three much-loved pairs of Victoria Secret foldover waist yoga pants (um, flared leggings) in a wide leg style that was made for about a year. These are absolutely perfect pants — comfortable on top, very loose and flowing on the bottom. I see nothing like these pants on the market today, which is sad because they are so great. Yes, they are black pants and not beautiful colors, and they are knit and not a woven fabric, but for me, they are the perfect style. I throw on a tank and a linen shirt, and I’m good to go.
Look into Spanx wide legged sweat pants. Come in petite sizes too!
This post is so right-on-time for me. Thank you Alison!
i really want to try wide leg pants. As a (very) short apple, I haven’t succeeded in finding any that didn’t change angles when shortening. I do sew and pull on pants aren’t that difficult. I’m thinking of trying to rattle some old math out of my head and measure a pair, then figure out the ratios and adjust the legs. Once I had the measurements down it would be easy to make more, spot ones in the store that might work, or even have a pro make me some really nice linen ones.
I know it’s all proportion–many tiny celebrities are seen on tv in them perfectly fitting.