How to Wear Wide Leg Pants

When styling wide leg pants, it’s not just about ensuring that the tailoring is on-point and well-fitted to your height and stature. Your outfit should also convey a certain aesthetic, whether you’re going for ’90s flair; something preppy; or taking an athleisure approach to your getup in a stretchy, breathable fabric. Wide leg pants can be worn by incorporating the seasonal wardrobe essentials that you already own, helping you achieve the intended vibe.

Once you secure the perfect wide leg pants, finishing the outfit is all about playing with proportions. For example, baggy patchwork denim can be streamlined with a mesh mockneck long-sleeved T-shirt or a bodysuit, rather than with a slouchy hoodie. You’ll still achieve the grunge-inspired look, just in a more updated, contemporary way. Meanwhile, roomy khakis with a thick cuff at the ankle are calling for a shoe moment, which you can seize with either go-to sneakers or kitten heel slingbacks. Both footwear options are equally alluring, but make for different outfits that are either tomboy cool or preppy and polished. And there are wide leg pants that are part of a suit set, which tell a cohesive style story all their own.

Ahead, you’ll find ideas for balancing wide leg pants out, either with casual accoutrements, such as relaxed trainers, or a sultry element of surprise on a night out thanks to the addition of tall pumps and a bralette. Scroll to find 20 different looks that are built upon the foundation of wide leg pants, then shop our favorite styles on the market right now.