Wide-leg trousers are back, or, at least, they are having a moment. If you take a stroll down the street, you’ll see people of all walks of life, ranging from office workers to students, and everyone is sporting this style once again.
In the last few months, many people bought a pair to hop on the trend, but \*spoiler alert\*, many people wore them once and they got pushed to the back of the closet. So, if you bought a trendy pair of wide-leg pants and are uncertain of how to style them, keep reading to find out what’s going wrong.
### Getting the Fit Right
This is where most people are stumped. Remember, wide-leg style pants do NOT mean frumpy or oversized. Wide-leg trousers are meant to leave extra space in the pants that looks flattering. The waist needs to fit properly. The pants must sit where pants of that length should sit on you.
If they’re pulling or gathering around your thighs, you have the wrong style in relation to your body shape. Some brands do a proper wide leg. Others just make regular trousers a bit roomier and leave it at that.
The length of wide-leg trousers is more important than you’d think. If the length is too long, they will trip you. If the length is too short, it will look like you have borrowed your little kids’ trousers. The ideal length is when they skim the ground. The ideal length should be about an inch off the ground.
## What To Wear Them With
Now, this is the tricky part. since wide-leg trousers have a significant length, they also have a lot of volume, so you want to make sure the other items you are wearing are slim-fit, in order to keep the balance. If you wear a fitted t-shirt or blouse or a fitted, tucked-in, cropped, or oversized sweater, the wide-leg trousers will look so good. However, if you wear a loose or oversized top, it may look a little “off”. This is because the outfit may lack proportional balance, making the outfit look a little sloppy.
When it comes to shoes, this part also has to be balanced out according to what you are wearing in the top half of the outfit. If you are wearing loose clothing, you don’t want to wear shoes that are very delicate, slim, or strappy. You want a pair of chunky shoes, like boots, trainers, or heeled loafers. This is the ideal shoe to balance the trousers, and so is a good pair of heels, because they can be elongated and very “fashion-forward”.
Overall, remember to have fun with it! The wide-leg trousers tend to suit a lot of body shapes, so don’t be scared to wear a pair of wide-leg trousers.
## Styling for Different Occasions
**Work:** Wool blends and heavier cottons are super structured, and pair perfectly with a fitted blazer. Then, you’ve got an alternative work trouser that looks classy without trying too hard.
**Casual:** Denim wide-legs are surprisingly practical. Pair them with a t-shirt, trainers, and you’re done. For the weekend, cotton and linen are good substitutes. They’re light and comfortable, much better than skinny jeans.
**Going out:** It depends where you’re going, doesn’t it? For fancier places, satin and crepe fabrics are good options. Keep the top simple, let the trousers speak, and add heels if you’re into that. Pointed flats also look good.
## Common Mistakes
Wearing them low on your waist will make your legs look shorter, and it can look weird for any height.
Choosing styles that are too wide can also look a bit ridiculous. Make sure there’s a good amount of width to balance your frame, not just swallow it.
## Length Adjustments
It doesn’t matter how tall you are, you may need to get them hemmed, look for a petite range, or just get a regular length. However, it’s worth dealing with getting the length sorted properly.
## Fabrics That Work
Thinner light fabrics like viscose or rayon can flow and drape nicely on the body, but they can be a bit clingy if they’re too thin, which is why it’s best to get them in a thicker variation.
In terms of options, denim is probably the most forgiving for this. It doesn’t need a lot of thought, it’s easy to style, and it won’t lose it’s shape.
Linen is also a great option for the hot summer months although it can crease like madness. If it doesn’t hurt you too much to give it a miss, it’s one of the most comfortable options you’ll find.
Heavier wools and cottons are great for the colder months. They don’t lose their shape, they don’t crease or bag out, and they keep you very warm.
## Colours and Patterns
Black is the easy option and navy’s a close second because of how practical they are and how much they go with.
If you are set on a pattern, you just need to keep it simple. pinstripes are in style, and small checked pants are fine, but big bold prints along with wide leg trousers can be a lot to look at.
Lighter colours are trickier. They show everything – every crease, every pocket lining, everything. Beige or cream can look elegant, but they need the right fabric weight, or they’ll look cheap.
### Are They Actually Practical?
Depends on what you’re doing. For office work, commuting, general day-to-day stuff – yeah, they’re fine. More comfortable than skinny jeans, smarter than leggings, and easier to move in than pencil skirts.
For anything more active? Not as much. You can, but it won’t be graceful. They take up more room in your wardrobe and washing machine. Not ideal if you’re short on either.
Wide-leg trousers are not for everyone, and that’s fine. If you tried it and it’s not your thing, that’s fine. There’s no rule saying you have to follow every trend. But if you’ve dismissed them without really giving them a proper go, it might be worth another look. The paired with the right length, right proportions and the right top is quite versatile. And more comfortable than most more alternative trousers.
