How to Style Wide Leg Jeans (and what shoes to wear with them)

Wide-leg jeans are having a major moment, and it’s no surprise why. They’re more comfortable than fitted jeans, but they are still very on-trend. However, I know that learning how to style a new fit of jeans can be challenging, especially if you’ve been on the skinny jeans train for a long time. (And if you’re venturing into barrel jeans, here’s how to style those.)

In this blog post, I share my favorite wide-leg jean styles, my tips on what shoes to wear with wide-leg jeans, and a few outfit ideas and inspiration for your closet (find my favorite summer to fall transition pieces here). I love jeans and I have 30+ pairs in my closet, although I tend to stick to my favorite five pairs of denim. But today, I’m focusing on styling wide-leg jeans. If you don’t have a pair of wide-leg jeans you love, be sure to see the section at the bottom of this post with my favorites.

If you’re looking for other styling tips for your jeans, read what shoes to wear with mom jeans and what shoes to wear with flare jeans.

How to Style Wide-Leg Jeans

With a Tucked In, Fitted Top

A classic tee tucked into your wide-leg jeans is a no-fail look. The high waist of the jeans makes your waist look smaller, while the wider legs give a flattering balance. Since wide-leg jeans are interesting on their own, keeping the top simple is a great option. Unfortunately, the body suit I’m wearing is unavailable, but I love this black square neck bodysuit from Quince just as much! I typically don’t snap the bottom part, but I wear it like a regular top tucked in.

Add Structured Blazer

Want to make your wide-leg jeans office-friendly? Pair them with a tailored blazer. A structured blazer like this one from Ann Taylor balances the flowy nature of the jeans and adds a polished, sophisticated touch. Wear a tucked-in blouse or fitted top underneath (this bodysuit is perfect), and finish the look with heels or sleek ankle boots. If you wear ankle boots in the cooler months, be sure that the shaft of the boot is covered at least partially by the jeans if they are cropped. (Here are more tips to style boots with jeans.)

Here are 10 different ways to style a blazer and black jeans styled the right way are great for the office too.

Balance the jeans with a cropped jacket or sweater

Because wide-leg jeans have so much volume, pairing them with a cropped jacket or sweater helps create a balanced silhouette (cardigans are another great option). The shorter length of the top draws attention to your waistline and keeps your look from feeling too oversized. A chunky knit cropped sweater with wide-leg jeans is perfect for fall. The chunky sweater I’m wearing below is out of stock, but I really love this Quince cropped sweater and this cable cropped buttoned sweater from old navy.

Don’t Forget to Front-Tuck Longer Tops

If you have a sweater or blouse that is a little longer, you can still style it with wide-leg jeans. Just tuck the front part of your top into the front of the jeans to show the waistline. This is called a “French tuck,” and it’s the best way to wear longer tops with long pants while still giving your outfit some shape. A great option for this styling is this V-neck sweater vest from Madewell, similar to the sweater I’m wearing below.

What Shoes to Wear with Wide-Leg Jeans

Full-Length, Wide-Leg Jeans

Figuring out what shoes to wear with wide-leg pants is easier once you’ve identified whether your jeans are full-length or cropped. Full-length wide-leg jeans will cover most of your shoe (your toes may peep out), so the idea is to use the length of the jeans to make your legs look longer. I recommend a heel (platform or just a pump), sneakers (these are my favorite white sneakers), ballet flats, or booties for fall/winter. Before hemming your jeans, try them on with the heels in your closet. You want the pants hem to kiss the floor with your shoes on.

Because wide-leg jeans don’t show much of your body shape (apart from accentuating your waist), use them to give the illusion that your legs go for miles. Wearing flats is perfectly fine, but this won’t give you an elongated effect like heels (especially pointy-toed heels). I wear flats and sneakers with full-length wide-leg jeans often, but I make sure my jeans are hemmed so that they just barely hit the ground in this case. Here’s an example!

For easy reference, here are my recommendations for shoes to wear with full-length wide-leg jeans:

• Heels
• Pumps
• Heeled sandals
• Heeled booties in the fall
• Tall boots with a heel in the fall
• Sneakers
• Ballet flats

Cropped Wide-Leg Jeans

Cropped wide-leg jeans are a bit different than full-length jeans, which means you need to style them differently. The hem hits above your ankle bone, which means your ankle and foot will show, so your shoe choice is more important. Since these won’t go all the way to the floor, they will not work to elongate your legs in the same way as a full-length pair, but they allow for your shoe choice to add interest to your outfit. I like to wear sandals, loafers, kitten heels, and even sneakers with cropped wide-leg jeans. Cropped jeans tend to feel more casual and laid back.

Here are my recommendations:

• Sandals
• Loafers
• Ballet flats
• Heeled booties (only if the hem of the pant covers a little bit of the bootie shaft)
• Sneakers

The Best Wide-Leg Jeans

Before you can style wide-leg jeans, you have to find the right pair to buy. As someone with a petite frame (I’m 5’1″), finding jeans that fit well can be difficult. (However, I did find eight great petite jeans that don’t need alterations, which you can see in this post). These are my favorite pairs of wide-leg jeans (that will also look great if you’re taller, since you won’t need to hem them).

Frame Le Slim Palazzo Modernist Pocket

I’ve tried a lot of wide-leg jeans over the years, but the Frame Le Slim Palazzo Modernist Pocket jeans are truly next level. They’re insanely comfortable, the fit is so flattering through the waist and hip, and that front pocket design gives them a tailored, polished vibe I’m obsessed with. You can actually see me wearing them in the photo at the top of this post – they’re a true wardrobe staple for me. And the best part? They come in petite lengths (Le Pixie Slim Palazzo Modern Pocket), which I have and personally really appreciate. I swear these jeans make everyone look good.

Use code TERILYN15 for 15% off at Frame!

Paige Anessa Wide Leg Jean

Paige jeans are just amazing, so it’s no surprise the Anessa 31″ Wide Leg Jeans are so flattering with its classic wide-leg style. The 31″ inseam makes them the ideal length to wear with flats without dragging the hem, or pair with a heeled sandal for extra length. They have just enough structure to hold their shape but still feel comfortable. I find the rise really flattering for tucking in tops or wearing with shorter sweaters, and it comes in so many washes- all are beautiful and some even have different pocket detailing.

Joe’s Jeans The Mia High Waist Ankle Wide Leg Jeans

Another great pair of wide-leg jeans that are easy to style are these Mia jeans from Joe’s. They’re cropped, so you can wear many different shoes with them, and the light wash is casual and laid-back (I’ve rounded up what to wear with light wash jeans in this post). The high waist is essential for accentuating the waist, which is important when the rest of the leg gives an A-line shape. Fit is true-to-size.

Madewell The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean

Madewell does denim so well (here are the best 7 pairs of Madewell jeans), and their Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean is no exception. I love the dark wash–it feels elevated and polished but still casual enough for everyday to wear with a simple tee. These are full-length, which gives you that extra elongating effect, especially when paired with a heel or bootie. I wear a size 25 in these, and they fit true-to-size.

Abercrombie High Rise Cropped Wide Leg Jeans

Another cropped wide-leg jean, this time from Abercrombie. I ordered this pair of High-Rise Cropped Wide-Leg Jeans last summer and still wear them a year later. I’ve harped on it a few times already, but a cropped wide-leg is much easier to style than a full-length wide-leg. I sized down one size in these. I also really love Abercrombie’s flare jeans – read how I style flare jeans with different pairs of shoes here.

Agolde Harper Jeans

The best pair of wide-leg jeans I found last year are the Agolde Harper Jeans. They are technically “straight-leg” jeans online at AGOLDE, but they have a wide-leg fit. Most straight-leg jeans taper just a tad toward the ankle but these do not. They keep their shape all the way through the hem and have a wide opening at the ankle that covers my shoes. They’re pricey, but Agolde holds up year after year. If a super wide-leg fit makes you nervous, this is a fantastic option to start with. These run pretty true-to-size, but if you’re really on the fence, size down.

Frame Le Pixie Slim Palazzo

These are SO similar to the Frame jeans I mentioned above (probably why I love them so much, too)! If you’re petite and have struggled with the overwhelming length of wide-leg denim, Frame’s Le Pixie Slim Palazzo is a dream (and honestly might be one of my very favorites ever). I wear a size 25 in these, and the cropped inseam means no endless hemming trips to the tailor. If you’re taller, the regular Le Slim Palazzo has the same silhouette but in a full-length inseam. The fit is sleek through the hip and thigh before breaking into a wider leg, so they feel tailored but still relaxed.

Use code TERILYN15 for 15% off at Frame!

Pistola Penny High Rise Wide Leg Crop

If you’re looking for a non-blue wide-leg jean, this pair of Penny High Rise Wide Leg Crop from Pistola is perfect. They’re comfortable and flattering and have a unique look since they don’t have front pockets. They feel like a blend of chinos and denim, perfect for this gorgeous mocha wash. I highly recommend this style for offices where blue jeans are a no-go, but you can still be business casual.

If you prefer jeans in a softer colorway, the Penny Wide Leg is available in a handful of washes here. I wear a size 25 in this style.

Quince Bella Stretch Wide Leg Jeans

For a budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on quality, the Bella Stretch Wide Leg Jeans from Quince are such a good find. They’re just $50, but the denim feels far more expensive (Quince denim is so underrated). The fit is flattering with a little stretch for comfort, and they come in both classic and trend-forward washes. If you want to try the wide-leg trend without investing in a pricier pair right away, this is the one to grab.

Here’s a more in depth review of Quince clothing.

Target High-Rise Sailor Wide Leg Ankle Jeans

I was shocked when I tried on these High-Rise Sailor Wide Leg Ankle Jeans from Target. The fit is perfect, the length is ideal for me (but will be cropped on most), and they come in many colors. They are a great dupe for the Pistola pair above, however, the Pistola waistband is a smidge more comfortable. For under $30, you just can’t beat these. If you’re on the fence, I recommend sizing up one size in these.

The Harlow Wide-Leg Jean: Airy Denim Edition

The Harlow Wide-Leg Jean: Airy Denim Edition jeans are a perfect pair of wide leg jeans with a more polished, trouser fit. They come in petite, tall, and regular which is important for trousers since you want them to cover your shoes. The denim used for these jeans is thin and comfortable, which is another thing I love. The fit is TTS. These are included in my favorite Madewell Jeans blog post.

Bottom Line

Wide-leg jeans might feel like a bold choice at first, but with the right styling, they can be your go-to for all kinds of occasions (high-quality denim is one of my go-to styles in my 40s). The key is balance–whether it’s pairing them with a fitted top, adding accessories, or playing with proportions. So don’t be afraid to experiment and make this trend your own. Happy styling!

Shop The Post