You probably know they're this season's must-have denim, but do you know how to style wide leg jeans? If you love the look but aren't sure how to put together an outfit, we're on hand to help inspire you to swap your skinny jeans in favour of this flowy silhouette.
Wide leg jeans are taking over as the style to be seen in. Popular both on the runway and amongst influential street stylers, the best wide leg jeans neatly hug the waist and hips, before sweeping out into a more A-line silhouette down the legs. Universally flattering, they suit pretty much everyone and can be worn in a number of different ways.
Magda Callery, the founder of Style by Magda tells us why she loves her wide leg jeans: "the beauty of wide leg jeans? They're the jeans that don't discriminate! They love everyone equally. Curvier bodies? Perfect - they balance out proportions and accentuate the waist beautifully. Petite? High-waisted wide leg jeans are your secret weapon for creating long, elegant lines. Taller? Well, congratulations - wide leg jeans were basically made to be your best friend. Ultimately, wide leg jeans work for any body type, and the secret is owning your look confidently."
How to style wide leg jeans 2024: 7 outfit ideas
Still not convinced wide leg jeans would work for you, or that you don’t have the right items in your wardrobe to wear them with?
The volume can seem intimidating at first, but wide leg jeans are actually one of the easiest silhouette to style. If it's footwear you're finding particularly confusing, our guide on shoes to wear with wide leg trousers will help.
Fashion Editor Antonia Kraskowski explains "with wide leg jeans, it’s important to consider fit and what shoes you’ll wear with this shape as you don’t want excess fabric to pool around your feet as this will swamp your silhouette. Whether you’re teaming them with your best white trainers or designer heels, make sure to try your wide leg jeans with the footwear you’re most likely to wear them with and look for lengths that just skim the floor, rather than fabric pooling at your feet."
1. How to style wide leg jeans with a blazer
If in doubt, throw on a blazer. It's the one item in your wardrobe that has the potential to make even the most thrown-together of outfits feel instantly more considered. Just be wary of going too oversized when it comes to the fit. You’re already adding extra volume with this type of jean, so any more than one up from your regular size runs the risk of drowning your shape. Keeping your tops fitted (like a t-shirt or camisole) and neat (such as a crisp, freshly ironed shirt) and tuck your top into your waistband to avoid adding bulk.
A styling tip… Shoes with a pointed-toe will work in tandem with a blazer, adding polish and showcasing how to style wide leg jeans with ease.
Our fashion editor recommends...
RRP: £125 | More interesting than a block colour, we love the classic red and navy check print of this blazer. You simply cannot go wrong with with jeans, a t-shirt and a smart blazer, and this one is available in UK sizes 4 to 18.
RRP: £110 | These jeans combine two of our favourite denim trends right now - wide and barrel leg jeans. A blazer would sharpen these right up, but they'd look super cosy with a cardigan and ballet flats too.
RRP: £445 | Bags don't get much more beautiful than this. When it comes to affordable designer bags, DeMellier is a winner, and you'll be toting around this sleek style for years to come.
2. How to style wide leg jeans with a shirt
If you asked us to list essential wardrobe items, a shirt would be right at the top. The ways to wear one are varied, from buttoned to the top and layered under a jumper, to half-unbuttoned and slouchy, all the way through to open over a vest. It’s the little details that count with shirts, so look out for features like a structured collar, rounded hemline, and statement cuffs.
A styling tip… A chic shirt is an easy place to play with colour, so don't be afraid to experiment. Jeans can take all kinds of colour combos - take some time to ask what colour suits me, then stock up on shirts that aren't necessarily just white.
Our fashion editor recommends...
RRP: £95 | Is brown the new black? It’s certainly a softer take. Great for a borrowed-from-the-boys feel, tuck this into wide leg jeans and add plenty of gold jewellery.
RRP: £45 | These palazzo jeans are for anyone that doesn't want to do things by halves when it comes to wide leg jeans. They're up there with our M&S autumn top picks, and they're available in other colours too.
RRP: £198 | You'll find yourself wearing a gold necklace like this with anything and everything in your wardrobe. It would make the perfect Christmas present, so start dropping hints now...
3. How to style wide leg jeans with knitwear
Chic and cosy all at once, the best wool jumpers are the perfect partner for how to style wide leg jeans. If you’re opting for an oversized high-neck jumper, then you’ll need to French tuck it in at the front, and the same goes for chunky knit cardigans when worn buttoned-up in place of a top. If you’re opting for a longline cardigan, wear it open over a simple white top or roll-neck and bunch the sleeves up for a laid-back feel.
A styling tip… Lighter denim washes work really well with pastels, while burgundy and will work well with indigo hues.
Our fashion editor recommends...
RRP: £45.99 | Cardigans are where it's at when it comes to knitwear this season. We love the diamond print on this, plus the cropped length makes it great for pairing with wide leg jeans.
RRP: £75 | If you're looking for slimming jeans, the high rise fit of these is super flattering. Abercrombie & Fitch jeans might just surprise you.
RRP: £80 | A pair of white high-top Converse will always earn their keep in your wardrobe, and are especially good for giving wide leg jeans a chic but sporty finish.
4. How to style wide leg jeans with a T-shirt
Of all the ways of how to style wide leg jeans, the most obvious way is with a t-shirt. We love a slogan tee, a simple vest or a button-down Henley. This look is a great fall-back to have in your fashion arsenal for relaxed weekend ensembles. White or black are the classic choices when it comes to the colour of your top, and either will coordinate with any shade of denim. Thanks to the latest craze for '90s fashion trends, monogrammed t-shirts and oversized iterations are back in fashion too. Tuck or half tuck these into your jeans for maximum style points.
A styling tip… A simple t-shirt lends itself well to pairing with statement jeans. Denim doesn't have to just be blue or black you know!
Our fashion editor recommends...
RRP: £85 | The key to mastering a capsule wardrobe is to get the basics right. Invest in key layering pieces like this Henley top, which is ideal for pairing with statement printed jeans.
RRP: £110 | The leopard print trend is still going strong, and these jeans are a great way to embrace your wild side. Keep styling simple, and allow the trousers to do all the talking.
RRP: £95 | Looking for the most comfortable trainers? The Samba combines fashion and function better than most, and they work really well with wide leg denim. Check out our Adidas Samba review in full for more.
5. How to style wide leg jeans for evening
If you're often tempted to go for figure-hugging styles for the evening, all we can say is don't dismiss the wide leg jeans ability to add a contemporary feel to going out looks. Counteract the extra fabric on the bottom half of your ensemble with a plunging neckline, or lean into the Seventies feel with a voluminous blouse. Go for black denim for glamorous occasions, adding a touch of metallic for a dressy feel.
A styling tip… The addition of heels will instantly luxe up your look. The longer your jeans, the higher your heels should be, this is to help balance out the width of the hem and your silhouette.
Our fashion editor recommends...
RRP: £185 | Rixo is one of the best British clothing brands for a good reason. Tuck this blouse into wide leg jeans to easily go from day to evening. The red rose print is blooming beautiful.
RRP: £89 | Darker colours can work particularly well for evening, and these jeans will make your legs look so long if you pair them with a platform heel. Who says jeans aren't a good idea for Christmas party outfits? Not us!
RRP: £199 | Platforms are enduringly cool, plus they won’t make the balls of your feet ache like spindly stilettos will. This silver pair will feel very '70s teamed with wide leg jeans, and they'll double as some of the most comfortable wedding guest shoes.
6. How to style wide leg jeans with a coat
Unless you’re lucky enough to live somewhere where the temperature is consistently high all year round, a coat is going to be a key part of your outfit for at least half the year. A beautifully tailored, wool coat in grey, navy, or camel will never let you down.
Coats that finish around the knee look better with wide leg jeans than anything that hits mid-calf. Ideally, you should look out for a coat with a waist belt, or a design that can be worn open, to bring that structure back to your silhouette.
A styling tip… In winter, to keep your wide leg jeans off the ground, swap flats for heeled boots or platform trainers instead. Wide leg jeans are also some of the best jeans to wear with cowboy boots. Yeehaw!
Our fashion editor recommends...
RRP: £370 | It's early but we're calling it. This is our favourite camel coat on the high street! Made from 100% wool by one of the best French clothing brands, you'll be reaching for this outerwear staple for years to come.
RRP: £74.99 | Just because the weather can't decide what it's doing from one day to the next, that doesn't mean you have to avoid wearing white jeans outfits in the colder months!
RRP: £160 | Love, love, LOVE these boots. They'll work with all different types of trousers, but the cowboy-esque vibe will look particularly good with wide leg trousers.
7. How to style wide leg jeans with a jacket
Want to learn how to style wide leg jeans with a jacket? It's easy. A short style will show off your jeans in all their glory, but be sure to get one that allows you to layer up. There's nothing worse than not being able to move your arms because you're wearing too many tops!
A styling tip… voluminous or textured jackets, like quilted puffers and shearling jackets will bring balance to your sleek wide leg jeans.
Our fashion editor recommends...
RRP: £75 | This is right up there with the best M&S coats of the year for us. One customer wrote: "Really nice spin on a duffle coat, definitely on trend".
RRP: £50 | We love the patch pockets and stretch fit of these jeans. They have 1% elastane in them, which is more than enough to make them some of the most comfortable jeans you can add to your denim collection.
RRP: £298 | Don't underestimate how much wear you'll get from a good pair of slingbacks, particularly with a blocky heel. In on-trend brown and with a croc effect, these are well worth a splurge.
FAQs
Are wide leg jeans in style for 2024?
Wide leg jeans in their various iterations have been in and out of fashion for years. Think as far back as the '70s, when they were high-waisted and mid-wash, or as recently as the '90s when grungy wide leg jeans with low waists and moody grey and washed denim finishes were all the rage.
Trends offer a great guide for the season, but ultimately fashion should be about wearing things that make you feel good - and wide leg jeans is certainly a trend that has the power to do that.
Be sure to try on lots of different pairs in the pursuit of the best jeans for your body type. Classic denim brands like Levi's and Wrangler are well worth investigating, and you can actually find some of the best jeans on Amazon too.
Antonia tells us: "While they’re forever synonymous with the Seventies, wide leg cuts feel more modern - they can easily be dressed up or down too, making them an excellent capsule wardrobe addition."
What type of tops go with wide leg jeans?
Technically speaking, all types of tops go with wide leg jeans. The only thing you need to keep in mind is proportions, so you’re not swamping your frame with the extra fabric on both the top and bottom half.
Antonia advises: "Keep your top half fitted for a streamlined look - if you want to go for a boxier top, tuck it in or look for a cropped fit that finishes at your waist to create definition in your silhouette.”
With over 15 years experience in the fashion industry, freelance fashion editor, Antonia Kraskowski has worked at Conde Nast, across titles including, Glamour, Vogue New Markets and Easy Living. Antonia later went on to serve as the Fashion Editor of Express Newspapers and Magazines for five years before embarking on a freelance career.
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