How to Style Wide Leg Jeans

Wondering how to style wide leg jeans? This season is all about wide leg denim. Although I’m hearing a fashion rumor that skinny jeans are coming back! What do we think abut this? Personally I’m not ready for their comeback. I love the effortless vibe and balance that wide leg and straight leg jeans give.

I’m not generally a trend follower, as I tend to gravitate towards a more classic and timeless wardrobe. But when it comes to denim, I like to experiment with different styles. Updating your jeans is a great way to keep your look feeling current without stepping outside your personal style.

If you’re petite and are looking for petite specific sizing and styling tips, I have an entire post dedicated to how petites can wear wide-leg jeans. But no matter your height, everyone can use these styling tips below to help you pull off wide-leg jeans in a way that feels effortless and classic.

Here’s How to Style Wide Leg Jeans

First, let’s talk about wide-leg jeans versus other jean styles. When shopping for wide-leg jeans online, you will likely pull up results for flare leg and bootcut jeans as well. Some brands even categorize them together, but there are key differences. Wide leg jeans are roomier from the waist down, offering a more relaxed fit. While flare leg jeans are more fitted in the thighs and flare out at the calf. Bootcut jeans are similar to flare jeans but with a slight flare at the ankle instead of the calf.

While wide-leg jeans are still trending this season, you can still update your wardrobe with flare leg and bootcut for a modern refresh. Straight leg jeans are also a favorite of mine, perfect for transitioning from skinny jeans, but we can talk about that in another post!

Below I’m wearing the DL1961 Hepburn Wide Leg Jeans in the 32″ inseam. (I also love this 27″ inseam option for us petite people who like to wear flat shoes!). You can see how these are not fitted to my thighs but are wide and relaxed throughout. They are a high rise which elongates the leg.

Full length vs Cropped Jeans

Full length wide-leg jeans are so effortlessly chic. Pair them with heels for glam date night look. The longer length adds drama and really elongates the legs. Coupled with a high rise, your legs will look even longer. If you prefer to wear flats, you may want to try wide leg cropped jeans (this pair comes in standard, petite, and plus sizes).

For those who love variety, like me, having both longer and cropped options in your wardrobe offers plenty of styling flexibility. When it comes to fabric, you can opt for non-stretch, rigid denim, or jeans with a bit of stretch. The wider leg doesn’t affect the fit too much, and both stretch and non-stretch styles are comfortable in my opinion. Now, let’s dive into how to style these jeans!

Best Tops to Wear with Wide Leg Jeans 

It’s all about creating balance. The wider leg bottom gives the illusion of a smaller waist. And the best way to enhance that is to choose a top that is a bit more fitted or one that you can tuck in. Puff sleeve tops are a definite “yes” as it creates a really nice balance with the wider leg. A peplum top also works as long as its not too voluminous. Since wide leg jeans can appear more casual, feminine tops are always your best bet!

Wear A Vest

I love wearing a vest for a modern boho-chic style. It adds a third layer when paired with a top underneath. And a third layer always makes an outfit look more elevated. And yes, you can wear ballet flats with wide leg jeans! I prefer pointed toe ballet flats to elongate the look of the legs. These jeans hit at a great length for petites, but they also come in a standard length at 31″ inches. Easy, chic, and effortlessly stylish!

Style With Button Down Shirts

 

When in doubt, choose a button up shirt. It’s endlessly versatile. Tuck a button down shirt into your wide leg jeans to define the waist and created a balanced silhouette. Opt for a full tuck for a more polished look, a front tuck for an effortless off-duty vibe, or a half tuck for a laid-back casual feel. No matter which style you choose, this pairing is perfect for so many occasions.

 

Wear Your Wide Leg Jeans with a Statement Top

Wearing a statement top with peplum or ruffles pairs beautifully with high-waist wide-leg jeans. Together, they create an elevated look that feels perfectly nighttime-appropriate. If you were to pair this kind of top with skinny jeans, the vibe would lean more casual. The feminine details of the top contrast so well with the structure of wide-leg jeans, creating a balanced and chic outfit. I especially love this look styled with a gold metallic heel for an extra statement (use code TARA15SPRING25 for 15% shoes on this site)!

 

Ivory Jeans and Striped Tees

Going for a nautical chic look with stripes is always a great idea. Stripes are my second favorite print after florals. They pair so well with wide leg jeans. Try white or ivory wide leg jeans for spring and summer, and a darker denim for fall and winter. Dress this up for nighttime with a block heel pump, or style for daytime with loafers or ballet flats. This striped top is so great!

 

Fitted Tank Tops for an Off-duty Look

Ivory wide leg jeans paired with a fitted tank top strike the perfect balance of an effortless, off-duty model look. This easy outfit works seamlessly across at least three seasons. When the weather gets cooler, just add a blazer or cardigan for extra warmth and style. Match your shoes to the season: classic flat sandals for spring and summer, chic neutral loafers for fall

 

Chunky Sweaters

This is a simple solution for how to style wide leg jeans for early spring, fall and winter. It’s cozy and effortless combined together. I would choose either a slightly cropped sweater or a chunky knit you can front-tuck to add some definition and balance to the look. A nautical stripe sweater pairs beautifully with white or ivory jeans for spring, while darker wide leg jeans are perfect for the cooler months.

Flutter Sleeve Top

A flutter sleeve top is a great choice for spring or summer. The extra volume at the shoulders creates a nice balance with wider leg bottoms. Plus you can wear it either tucked or untucked, depending on your vibe. These are my Paige Laurel Canyon jeans. They are technically bootcut jeans, but bootcut and wide leg are pretty similar. If wide leg feels like too much, bootcut or flare jeans offer a more subtle way to update your look. And don’t forget about straight-leg jeans- they’re another versatile option. Check out my post on what shoes to wear with straight leg jeans for more inspiration.

I love these jeans so much that I own them in three different washes. The frayed hem makes them incredibly easy to customize just by cutting them to your desired length with scissors. Even after washing, they hold up fine. If the fray starts to look too long, just trim it! It’s so easy! I especially love pairing a lighter wash denim with neutral shoes for an effortlessly chic vibe (use code TARA15SPRING25 for 15% off Inez shoes).

How to Wear Wide-Leg Jeans With Flats

Yes, you can absolutely wear wide-leg jeans with flats! The key is to make sure the jeans aren’t too long. Puddling at the floor can throw off the fit. While wearing pointed toe flats helps to elongate the leg, almond and round toe flats also work just as well. It’s the perfect time to embrace the Mary Jane trend and wear them for an on-trend, yet timeless look. A pair of Mary Jane flats adds a stylish, classic touch to any outfit. These are my favorite– they’re chic, comfortable, and I have them in several colors!

How to Style Wide Leg Jeans For Work

With many workplaces embracing casual or business casual dress codes, wide-leg jeans can absolutely be office-appropriate, as long as they’re styled thoughtfully. I would stay away from frayed hems unless you have a super casual office. For a polished look, pair them with a soft knit sweater, a silk blouse, or a tailored blazer for office appropriate wear. Depending on the length of your jeans, you can wear heels, ballet flats, or loafers to complete the outfit.

I especially loving a pastel cardigan sweater for a feminine and professional business casual vibe. And if you’re looking for more styling ideas, check out my post on what shoes to wear with wide leg pants.

How to Style Wide Leg Jeans For Date Night or Day Dates

This is where you can really have fun with your outfit. For date night or day dates, I love pairing high-waist wide-leg jeans with a chic off-the-shoulder top. The combination feels elevated and effortlessly stylish, especially when paired with a sleek clutch for the evening, or a casual tote for daytime. If you swapped the wide-leg jeans for skinny jeans, the look would lean more a bit more casual. There’s something about the balance of showing a little skin at the shoulders while keeping the bottom flowy and full of fabric- it just works!

For shoes, I love a neutral heel to keep the outfit polished. Whether you’re out during the day or transitioning to night, just switch your bag from a relaxed tote to a chic clutch to complete the look.

 

Here are a few favorites outfit ideas for wearing with wide leg jeans:

Swipe left if you are on your phone to see them all!

Thank you for reading and I hope I’ve helped inspire you. Pin this post to your Pinterest board so that you can refer back to it later. For more  timeless style inspiration, check out my Full Sezane Review post.