The 70s popularised wide-legged trousers. They gave an ease and fluidity of movement that was in keeping with the attitudes of the time.
Since then, they’ve come back and forth several times, and are now available in a range of fabrics, constructions, and tailoring.
Indeed, now that loungewear is so much a part of our lives and wardrobes, it looks like wide-legged trousers are here to stay – but not just for comfort at home.
Wide leg trousers are a chic addition to your wardrobe and can be styled in various ways, whether for the office, a lunch or an evening party.
Read on for some suggestions on how to wear them.
1. Pair with a fitted top
To balance out the volume of the trousers, try wearing them with a more fitted top, tucked in, so that your waist is highlighted and you have more shape overall.
In these cooler months, a great wardrobe go-to is a slim-fitting polo-neck sweater. Tucked into a pair of wide-legged trousers, this look has an effortless and timeless chic.
We love how they’ve been styled for this Victoria Beckham shoot, but if you’d like an even more streamlined look, you could try matching the colour of your sweater to your trousers. Wearing a block of colour can help to elongate the body, making it appear taller and slimmer.
You can create the look more affordably, too!
Loose-fitting darted trousers
Zara, £27.99
Available in sizes XS to XL, and in colours including green, taupe, toffee, and black, these trousers are so well-priced that you’d be forgiven for treating yourself to more than one pair. The darts at the front make the all-over shape more flattering, and who can resist anything with pockets?
If you find the trousers ‘drag’ on the ground too much, you could try getting them taken up. Alternatively, you might like to style them with a heeled shoe or boot.
Cashmere Polo Neck Sweater by Pure Collection
Woolovers, £145
When it comes to staple items that you’re likely to wear season after season, it’s worth investing in quality fabrics. That’s why pure wool or cashmere is a great choice when it comes to sweaters – not only do they look and feel luxurious, but they keep their shape better than synthetic materials.
With 16 colours to choose from, you’re spoilt for choice with this sweater! It’s also available in sizes ranging from 8-24.
2. Wear with a cropped jacket
Again, this is all about proportion: a cropped jacket can help to balance out the wide fit of the trousers, highlighting your top half and helping the entire silhouette look neater and trimmer.
Worn over a simple tucked-in t-shirt, this is a great everyday look that could carry you from the office to after-work drinks, or from lunch to dinner. In this photo from Trilogy, the look is made even more wearable because the trousers are denim, with the wide legs and the jacket making jeans more smart than casual.
Inspired to create this look?
M&S Collection Wide-Leg Jeans
Marks & Spencer, £35
One of the things we love about Marks & Spencer is that they offer collections for different heights – so with these jeans, you have the choice of petite, regular, or long. You also have a range of colours to choose from, although we think the medium indigo offers the most classic look.
As a high-waisted style, these jeans will make the legs appear longer, while slimming the tummy. Whether worn with trainers or heels, these jeans are a stylish take on staple denim.
Sharp Shoulder Short Coat
NA-KD, £65.95
With its boxy shape, this cropped jacket offers plenty of opportunity to layer up warmly when the temperatures plummet: there’s lots of room for a jumper underneath, without adding bulk.
It’s available in taupe, which pairs beautifully with denim, looking cool and elegant, without being top-heavy. Worn open or closed, this jacket has pockets and a sharp collar, for a pulled-together look.
3. Style with a narrow belt
When buying wide-legged trousers, look for ones with belt loops, so that you can more readily wear them with a belt. Top tip? Try a narrow style – as mentioned above, keeping proportions in mind can help to make wide-legged trousers more flattering and wearable.
Of course, any belt will help to draw in your waist and define your silhouette – but a thin belt can help to balance out the width of the trouser style. As an example, take a look at this styling from Karen Millen.
In fact, this look takes the balancing act one step further, by pairing the trousers with a horizontally striped top, which evens out the entire frame.
If you’re keen to explore a similar look, read on…
A&F Sloane Tailored Wide-Leg Pant
Abercrombie & Fitch, £65
As well as being available in various colours, sizes, and lengths, these Abercrombie & Fitch wide-legged trousers are made from easy-care fabric, which can be machine-washed and tumble-dried.
With their flattering high-rise fit, they also feature those all-important belt loops, as well as pleating, a zip fastening, and pockets. To ensure the perfect fit, they also have a partially elasticated waistband.
Estelle Skinny Belt
Caraviche, £39.95
When it comes to accessories, it’s often worth paying a little extra for quality – which is why this beautiful calfskin belt merits its slightly higher price tag.
The fact that it has a distinctive buckle style is another plus, as this draws the eye in and creates the appearance of a slimmer form.
Clean Cut Regular Long-Sleeved T-shirt
Cos, £35
Swedish brand Cos is well known for its ability to make staple wardrobe pieces special, and this Breton-style top is no exception.
Made from organic cotton, it has long sleeves and a slightly cropped fit, which helps balance out the width of the trousers. If you choose the black and white version, you’ll get the pop of colour offered by the contrasting colour at the neckline, which will enliven your whole look, too.
4. Add a heel
Many of the examples you’ll see of wide-leg trousers being styled will show them with flat shoes or trainers. This can look great, but realistically, not everybody is a tall, willowy model with endless legs.
However, don’t be put off if you’re of shorter stature. Adding a higher heel can balance out your entire silhouette and add length to your legs, making this style of trouser more wearable.
One tip is to choose a shoe with a pointed toe, which will make your legs look even longer – as seen here with these gorgeous green pumps.
If this look appeals, here’s where you might like to start.
Crepe High-waisted Cargo Wide-Leg Trousers
Tu Clothing, £22
As well as being incredibly well-priced, these wide-legged trousers also offer a modern take on the trend with the addition of a cargo pocket. Plus they’re high-waisted and made from crepe, which falls nicely, creating a flattering silhouette.
Available in classic black and chocolate brown (check out the brown for an example of how to style with a pointed-toe heel), these are bound to be a valued addition to your autumn/winter wardrobe.
Buckle-detail heeled courts
Dune London, £90
As well as having the pointed toe, the buckle detail on these high-heeled shoes means that they’ll pull double duty, working equally as well with dresses where the entire shoe is on show.
When it comes to wide-legged trousers, however, these shoes – available in red and metallic (both such glamorous choices!) are ideal. The heel adds height without being vertiginous and the ankle strap adds support.
5. Consider a cropped length
Not all wide-leg trousers have to skim the floor – in fact, a cropped length, by exposing the ankle, can have a flattering effect, because one of the slimmest parts of the body is on show.
The shorter length can also add comfort for wearers who might be worried about their heels catching on the hems of floor-skimming trousers.
The way they’ve been styled on the Whistles website is a prime example…and if you fancy a similar look, here are some other options.
Cropped Palazzo Trousers
Baukjen, £69
The elasticated waist of these trousers adds comfort and the cropped length adds the no-trip assurance of which we spoke above – plus, the alluring ankle-flash.
Available in three colours and in sizes from 6-18, these trousers are likely to be a year-round staple, since they’re made from a lightweight jersey fabric.
Velour Slim-Crop Trouser
ME+EM, £125
The addition of a luxe fabric makes the more ‘casual’ shape of these cropped trousers so wearable – whether by day or night or with flats or heels.
Paired with a top of a similarly luxurious, tactile nature – such as silk, satin, or organic cotton – these trousers can effortlessly transition from day to night, and between seasons.
High Rise Wide Crop Jeans
Boden, £85
When it comes to wide-legged trousers, the great thing about the cropped style is that they’re so wearable by day – and, as we all know, denim is classic daywear.
These cropped jeans from Boden combine the two perfectly – as well as being flatteringly high-waisted, they have an on-trend 70s vibe, which you could just as easily style with a heeled ankle boot as a pair of trainers.
Final thoughts …
Wide-legged trousers are a practical, stylish, and comfortable addition to your wardrobe, and can be styled to suit just about all occasions and body types.
Thanks to their fluidity, they look graceful and elegant – and with such a wide variety of fabrics to choose from, ranging from denim to velvet, they can be just as casual or as dressy as you’d like them to be.
One thing looks to be certain – they won’t be disappearing any time soon, so you can shop for your perfect pair with the long term in mind.
What’s your favourite way to wear wide leg trousers? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.