Fashion Challenge: Try Wide-Leg Trouser Jeans
If you’re hip to trends (and since you’re a CF reader, we’re sure you are), you know that wide leg jeans and flare jeans are making their triumphant comeback this year. I know, I know — we just got the hang of skinny jeans! To be honest, I could not be more excited to see this trend rise in popularity. They’re a cute retro throwback, can easily be dressed up, and are so flattering on every body type.
Wide leg trouser jeans are pretty simple to style — you’ve just got to get your head out of the “skinny jean” mentality! Once you get a feel for these babies, I promise, you’ll love them. Then make sure to take a couple snapshots and send them to us to help other girls in the CF community break out of their skinny rut as well!
Ready to take on the challenge? Read on for styling tips and tricks on how to wear wide leg trouser jeans!
Tips and Tricks for Rocking Wide Leg Jeans
- Short ladies, fear not! As seen in the photo above, petite girls like Rachel Bilson look great in wide leg jeans. The key? Look for low-rise cuts and pair the jeans with heels to elongate your legs.
- Tall girls can also make wide leg jeans work, as evidenced by Katie Holmes in the photo above. Wear them with ballet flats and a t-shirt for a laid back look, or try out a high-waisted pair if you dare.
- Wide leg jeans always look great with a cropped jacket and feminine top.
- A dark wash pair of wide leg jeans can easily be dressed up with a blouse and heels for a smart casual look perfect for a date or when you just feel like looking sharp.
- What distinguishes trouser jeans from boyfriend jeans is that trousers are well-tailored and fitted in the backside. When shopping for a pair, make sure that they hug your curves and fit your butt perfectly.
- Adding a belt is an easy way to make a simple t-shirt-and-trouser-jeans combo look pulled-together.
- If you have the cash, buy two pairs, and have one pair tailored to wear with flats and keep one pair long to wear with heels. While boot cut and skinny jeans can usually work with heels and flats, with wide-leg jeans, you’ll want to be sure to keep the hems from fraying.
Wide-Leg Trouser Jeans – Outfit Inspiration
Jeans, T-shirt, Heels, Necklace, Ring
This outfit is so simple, but makes a big impact when it comes to style. Match a black and white striped tee with a pair of wide leg trouser jeans for a French style-inspired look. Throw on a pair of heels for a dressier date look, or swap out the pumps with a pair of flats for a chic outfit for class. Finish with a long necklace and a fun cocktail ring. This ring is by Nicole Richie’s line, House of Harlow, and is a (semi) affordable way to snag a piece of her collection.
Jeans, Shirt, Vest, Hat, Flats
This outfit is inspired by everyone’s favorite celebrity stylist, Rachel Zoe! After all, she’s been talking about the return of wide leg jeans for years! A simple black long sleeved shirt and cropped fur vest will look great with a pair of low-rise trouser jeans. Finish with blingy flats and a slouchy beanie. I Die!
Jeans, Floral Top, Military Jacket, Ring, Shoes
Wide leg jeans will look super chic paired with a cropped jacket — this look will accentuate the thinnest part of your waist for an ultra-flattering aesthetic. Layer a fun floral top underneath for interest. Add some basic jewelry, and a fun pair of mary-jane wedges for a retro vibe. I’ve recently fallen in love with Jeffrey Campbell shoes — they’re a bit of a splurge, but you won’t find a more comfortable pair of sky-high heels anywhere!
Took the Challenge? Send us your Photos!
Making a trend work in real life is tough — so help out other CF readers by sending us photos of how YOU styled your wide leg jeans! Take a few snapshots and email them to fashionchallenge AT collegefashion.net along with your name, school, a description of what you’re wearing, and the URL of your blog if you have one. We’ll post photos here to inspire other CF girls (see examples here and here).
I can’t wait to see the amazing outfits you guys send in!
CF Reader Looks
Here are challenge outfits sent in by CF readers like you. If you want to see your look featured here, too, read the instructions below for sending in your outfit photos!
Liz
I tried this look out recently and loved it! I’d say the key is keeping the top portion fitted and sleek and wearing heels helps add length to your legs.
For more of Liz’s fierce style, check out her blog here!
What do you think?
Do you own a pair of wide leg jeans yet? Do you love this trend or hate it? What do you like to pair them with? What fashion challenges would you like to see in the future? Let us know by leaving a comment!
Posted on on February 3, 2011 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Celebs, Denim, Fashion Challenge, Featured, Jeans, Katie Holmes, kim kardashian, Rachel Bilson, Rachel Zoe, Trends, Wide Leg Jeans
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Melissa Roque
I like wide leg trouser jeans. I own a pair and always wear it with heels but i never thought about wearing them with heels and dressing it dow. Will definitely try, thanks!
Morgan
I love the wide leg jeans! Old Navy was actually ahead of this trend a few months ago, but nobody noticed! I was able to score a pair of PERFECT jeans on clearance for $4.98!! I only wish I had purchased more!!
The outfits are all great, I really love the last look. I have a version of all those pieces already, just never thought about putting them together like that!!
Gabbie
I’ll totally skip this. I wore wide leg jeans for all three years of middle school and for my first years of high school and when i discovered how great skinnies are i swore i’d never switch to wide leg again!
They’re so unflattering on short girls! If u r not tall they look ok only if you are petite with thin legs…i’ve been an athlete for all my life ( just stoppet like 5 years ago) so my legs aren’t really thin…and they make me look a looot shorter then how i really am,and above all to make them of the right length for myself i’d have to cut all the width xD because if u r not petite you’d NEVER find a jeans that fits you for lenght and for size…and i’m used to shop only designers jeans (like levi’s ,meltin’pot and similars…)…No,definitely i’ll stick to skinny jeans! they make me look taller and make my legs look so great *-*
Gabbie
i’m so Lucky here in Italy wide leg jeans are not going to come back so soon!
Winnie
I like these, but I would never wear the high waisted versions pictured above. I just don’t think it’s flattering on anyone.
Liz
I agree with Gabbie- I’m never ever going to wear wide leg jeans again. I think skinnies are more flattering on me-plus it makes wearing boots so much easier
=)
Gabbie
yeah,totally,Liz! :D
Wide leg jeans are really cute…but not on me! basically i find them unflattering: they look gourgeous on some people and like a disaster on others…
Charis
I love wide-leg jeans, they’re so much more comfortable and flattering on me than skinny jeans. I own 2 pairs already, both from Goodwill at some point in the past, and both fit me perfectly :)
Leslie
I love this but I’ve tried on SO many pairs and they are still too long and drag the ground — even with my highest pair of heels :(
Karis
I really like the wide leg trend, especially because they are SO comfortable! I bought a pair my sophomore year in high school and have kept them, just waiting for this moment to arise.
That being said, wide leg jeans are definitely not a winter trend. All the above outfits are cute because they are worn in sunny locales which allow for a simple, lightly-layered top to balance the heavy bottom. Wide leg jeans with a heavy down parka? I wouldn’t be able to move with all the fabric weighing me down! Definitely a trend that will have to wait until Spring.
Kelsey
they look good on people with curves, but i’ve got a pretty slender, boyish figure; the fabric would overwhelm my little frame!
Zamia
I love flares and wide leg jeans! I’m only 5 ft tall and Im hourglass shaped. These balance me out nicely. I’ve also learned how to hem my jeans so that they don’t drag.
Stephanie
I’m barely over 4’11. Considering most of the so-called “skinny jeans” that I’ve had hemmed, when the bottom “tapered” part of the legs is removed, they’re all “straight leg” jeans.
I figure the same will be true of the “wide leg jeans” that once you trim it down to my size, it won’t matter. Might as well save money for tops and accessories. If it’s an attractive new wash, perhaps I’ll go for it.
Amy
Hmm i’m back and forth on this trend…to me, trouser jeans just feel like someone took work wear and tried to make it casual, and I hate wearing “business clothes.” So trouser jeans are not so much for me. I love my skinnies though, and I have a couple of skinny flare jeans too that flatter my figure nicely, like the artist jeans from american eagle. I think I’ll stick with those for now!
Morgan
@ Gabbie, I disagree! I’m only 5’3 with short legs and I look taller in wide leg jeans! I you just have to be mindful of the fit, more so than skinny jeans..balancing a wide bottom with a more cropped/fitted shirt. My legs appear super long, even in flats! Give them a try, I think the wide legs of middle school have come a long way!
Sam
I like wider leg trousers but I’m not so keen on the denim. I prefer a straight leg or slim boot cut for jeans. I do like them when its a different material though. I have some really cute linen trousers that are wide leg and a little high cut. Not too high though because I’m very petite! I think they are flattering. I wear a skinny belt though because I’m petite. Maybe I’ll try out wide leg denim because I love that first outfit but I’ll have to see. I might be too reminded of middle school hahaha
shaina
i think they look really cute, they’re just not really my thing…i prefer the whole bigger on top tighter on bottom to disguise my belly :)
BUT i was just rewatching tin man and zooey deschanel’s character wears these the whole movie…tin man post? ;)
Tricia
I agree with morgan, i’m 5’2″ and wide leg jeans with heels make me look so much taller! If you’re on the shorter side you’ll be dealing with fixing the length your whole life so I say invest in what you can
Gabbie
@morgan: lucky you! but i really don’t like wide leg on me…these jeans really make me look super short…(it’s strange,we are almost tall the same :-S) the only ones i can remember that were ok on me were super skinny on the top and then wide on the bottom,but i can’t really say if i woud like them now because i had a terrible taste when i was younger xD
I think it depends not only from your heigh but from your body type: if you are petite or have a small bone structure (so if you are a 38/40/42 in italian sizes,4/6/8 in american sizes) it can work if you don’t exceed with fabrics and choose a more fitted kind of trousers,but if you are,like me,not tall but not petite ( i wear a 44 -italian size,that should be about a 12 american size-…)…no way. Or,at least,no way for me xD
Well,these ones i’ve seen in the article really remember me of what we all wore in middle school-first years of high school… nope,really,i’m not goin’ to give them a try xD or at least i’m not going to buy one of them unless i find some of these that really looks good on me -and i think it’d be very hard-…so for now i’m sticking with skinnies or straight jeans xD
ps: I’m not used to deal with american clothes sizes….so i could have made some mistakes in converting from italian to american sizes xD
Jage
I have one pair because I adored the look but it just makes me look frumpy. It might be because of my height (5’3) and the fact that I wore them with flats but it just wasn’t cute.
And like someone said they definitely look more business appropriate but seeing as how I did buy them and I’ve only worn them about three times, I will definitely try again, maybe see if I can balance it out better on top.
sandra
as always great post CF!! This trend definately reminds me of that ’70′s show’ the looks are great, i’m especially mad about the last look, will definately try that one. However i won’t go to crazy about this look, my look is really more skinnies, cute tank or shirt & pumps. I think one can never go wrong with that. The past few weeks i’ve gone crazy shopping(the sales are totally to die for) & i’ve discovered that i can never keep up with trends because i can’t afford to buy the new stuff,which mean’s i’ll only be able to shop for this trend when the next one is in. Its crazy to try & keep up with trends as a poor student. I however do love this post & will definately try emulate this one my own funky way. All i can say is thank you CF, to me you rank higher than vogue or elle. You’re more realistic & never leave me feeling like my legs arent long enough (which they arent) so thank you cf. x
kate
Great picks! Kim kardashian and rachel bilson are DEFINITELY my favorites :)
aish
kim and rachel look great
but i’ll pass on this one!
Lila
Skinnies aren’t going to go anywhere…wide legs are just another short-term trend that will fade out like boyfriend jeans did.
Annie
Hmmm, I have to agree with Gabbie, i’m short as well (5’1) and wide-leg jeans definitely make me look short! I suppose it depends on the way you style them and could work on some people, but they remind me too much of my middle/high school days and I MUCH prefer skinnies!
Colleen
I own two pairs of wide-legged jeans. One is very wide and the other is more subtle. I absolutely love them! I’m also a very short girl (5 ft) who never wears heels higher than two inches and possesses an hour glass figure with a rather… pronounced derrière. I always get compliments when I wear the jeans; people say they complement my figure well and love how fresh and funky they are compared to the skinny jeans and sweats everyone wears on my campus. I think they can look great on anyone; it all depends what your leg shape is and how baggy the fabric is. I also love the fact that they add an instant bit of class; I can wear anything with these jeans and feel classic and polished. Even on a hot day if I wear them with just a simple beater, some great jewelry and a handbag and some fabulous shoes, I feel so put together.
March
I Love it!
Jasmine
What’s the name of the shoes in the last set? The link doesn’t work. :( It looks like Jeffrey Campbell shoes…
Sarah
I’m obsessed with the first outfit. I love my flared jeans, but I might wait to buy legit trouser jeans. They often emphasize my hips too much. But I love to break out from a skinny jeans rut. I’m so tired of wearing boots and skinnies very single day. Spring please?
Kristina
Love love love this trend. So cute with wedges, sandals, heels or flats. I’m especially excited to wear my wide leg and flare jeans in the spring! A year ago, I would have sworn I would never wear anything but skinny jeans. Now I’m starting to buy wide-leg and boot-cut jeans again, because frankly I’m bored of skinny jeans. I’m 20 and I’ve been wearing them since I was 15 or 16 years old and it’s tiring to limit yourself to only one style of jean, especially when I love to experiment with fashion so much.
I think it’s just important to be sure you’re wearing a fitted and trendy top, to avoid looking dated or drowning in your clothes!
Joy - Lawrence University
I’ve been wanting to invest in the wide leg trend for awhile! I’m 5’3, have a definite hourglass figure, and rarely wear pants– I’m a little afraid that not only would it emphasize my hips, but also my short stature! Despite this, I’m incredibly enthralled with the idea of wide leg jeans… maybe I’ll actually invest for once. Great post!
Breanna
Do you girls think it’s just a trend, or that it’s a shift like with skinnies and those will take over soon for the next five years? I really wasn’t really into skinnies when they first appeared and I had the feeling they are way too “80′s” and that my bottom will look awfully big in hem, but when I finally tried them on, I realised I actually look way better than in any other style (skinnies show off my legs!). I decided to never get back to flared leg jeans (my hips are as wide in them, but the fact that my legs are actually thin is hidden) but if this trend becomes a standard, there will be no other style avilable in shops, not to mention I wouldn’t really like to look fashion-retarded.
Gabbie
i hope they’re not going to stay! or at least not here in my country!
Morgan
@ Joy- you should try them! I’m short also and I found that flare legs didn’t look right, but a wide, straight leg trouser jean in a dark wash created a long lean line from my torso down, making my bottom half appear balanced and narrow! I didn’t go for a high waist, because I have a short torso, its a lowish-mid rise. Not super low, and not a true waist high either. I really have to pay attention to the cut and length of my tops when I wear trouser jeans though…and flowy top looks either like a bad 70′s costume or I look like I’m drowning in a mountain of fabric. I keep a close fitted 3/4 sleeve top, or a slightly short blouse and a cardigan. Not tight, but not drapey/loose either. I don’t know what body shape I am, but I wear a 2/4 and I’m 5’3. I hope you try them! Its refreshing to get out of skinnies for awhile! It took me a long time to get on the skinny jean bandwagon because I was afraid it would make my short legs look terrible!
Go for it!
Monique
Always was a fan of wide leg, fit me better than bootcut and flare jeans that were really slim in the thigh and then just ballooned out. I’ve been wearin’ them! Someone sited Old Navy up there- I’ve picked up plenty good wide legs from there. I’m ready to channel the wide legs with a more ’70s vide.
sami
love the jean trend. I’m short and can NEVER find jeans that really fit right, and I’m not really sure where to start. How about a jean/pants guide ?
Deja Powell
I actually have a pair myself. They make me look a little business causal, so I pair them with my Calvin Klein heels, either my black bodysuit or a long black shirt, and a:
Leather cropped jacket
A yellow jacket
White button down
Pink cardigin
Wide-leg is hot!
Lauren C. Francis
Not even knowing these were a trend again, I thought about how cute some wide-legged jeans would be. LOVE the inspiration pics.
Liz
I want to try wide leg jeans so badly! I LOVE the first outfit (very french chic). Currently, I still love my skinnies and probably won’t ever give them up but I’m ready for a change. I’ve been loving the crisp and put together look of wide leg jeans for a while now but was too afraid to try them. I’m really petite and thought they would swallow me up. After seeing Rachel Bilson look great in them though, I think I’m ready to give them a try. Great post:)
Liz
So excited for this trend, it’s great to balance out broader shoulders and make your waist look thinner! I tried this look just the other day and loved it! It’s such a nice break from skinnies! I’m going to send you an e-mail right now…
Kenna
I seriously love wide-leg and trouser jeans! I am almost 5’9 and am curvy, but I feel like they could look really cute on shorter girls if they bought them long and wore heels with them.
I have both a dark-wash flare and a wide-leg trouser jean from GAP they are great. You can dress them up or down, which is awesome if you are doing your internships in elementary schools!
Great post =)
Christina
7 for all mankind Dojo Jeans are the best!! I just bought a pair. Its nice to switch things up from the skinnies
Amanda
Being 6’2″ with really long and skinny legs, I love wide leg jeans and I’m glad they’re coming back. Skinny jeans create such an unbalanced look, even though I love my straight leg jeans. Plus wide legs are easier to dress up ; )
Lady Les
@ Gabbie-are these wide leg jeans in style there in Italy or in Europe in general? Or is everyone sticking with skinny jeans?
Sorry-late to this post a bit! But interesting to me because I am taller and the looks are great in this article!
Philicia
Love, Love, Love this trend….this probably the easiest trend to pull off and it looks great on anyone!! I always like to wear flat pointy shoes with these wide leg trousers. They elongate your legs and add a little something diffferent to the look. Also, a great dressy top with these and some great heels are a great going out look.
betsyloren
good shoe suggestions…
Gyroscope
Wide leg jeans aren’t just great for curvy figures -they’re perfect for the bodybuilder, or overly athletic person. I overdeveloped my thighs playing soccer, and trouser jeans are the only jeans that accomedate them, while still bveing fashionable. Skinny jeans are great, especially with boots, but they make overly large muscles look like a fat. :(
Also, I live in Minnesota, where the temp drops to -20 F in winter. Trouser jeans are no less warm than any other cut of jean.
Gem
I think this style is great no matter how tall or small you are especially if your a bit of a pear shape like me, I used to live in skinny jeans and I’ve come to feeling there not as flattering as i always thought, because the tops of my legs are round and bigger that my hips, they hug that area a little too much i was always really careful with what tops i could wear but with wide legs i could wear most tops not have to worry if they cover me at the widest part :D I’m 5.8″ and a size 12 if that’s any help.