![denim styling, how to wear denim, how to style wide leg jeans](https://the-atlantic-pacific.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wide-leg-denim.jpg)
Wide leg jeans are making a comeback, and you know I love a great denim trend! While I’ve been sticking with my favorite straight leg denim lately, today I’m stepping out to style a wide leg. I bought 15 (that’s right, 15) pairs to test out! Jeans can be so tricky to buy for, but I’ve narrowed it down to my five favorites. And if you’re struggling with ideas on how to style wide leg jeans, fear not! I’m going to share some simple and chic outfit ideas. I know how confusing it can be with all the different cuts floating around right now. But honestly, styling this turned out to be a lot of fun!
My top five couples
Last spring I had a blast putting together these outfit ideas for wide leg pants, so I was looking forward to taking on this challenge again, but with denim. After many orders, returns and fittings, I ended up with my five favorite pairs. I’ve tried different cuts and styles because sometimes I’m surprised at how different jeans can look in person compared to how they look on a model. Here are the five styles I ultimately chose (in no particular order).
- A cropped cut
- Cuffed at the bottom
- White denim
- A classic pair
- Wide jeans
If any of these denim cuts caught your eye, read on! I’ll go into the details of each pair, including fit, fabrics, and ideas for styling wide leg jeans.
1. Cropped denim with wide legs
![cropped wide leg jeans, Chanel bag, nili lotan jacket, denim style](https://the-atlantic-pacific.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/BER55079_2.jpg)
I’m kicking it off with these cropped jeans. This style is by far the most relaxed and cropped of the pairs I’ve loved. I really love them because they are not only easy to style, but also so comfortable! I love having different denim washes in my closet so I can mix and match them with different tops. Without a doubt, these are the lightest washes of the bunch.
Styling wide leg jeans: cropped cuts
For this look I chose to combine them with an extremely oversized sweater, a chic jacket worn over my shoulders, super comfortable flats and one of my classic Chanel bags. Obviously these jeans are super bulky on their own, but I opted to use volume-on-volume to create a more editorial feel.
However, it is certainly possible to put together a more casual outfit. They would look just as great with a fitted bodysuit and heels. I love that you can take this pair in two completely different directions!
About the denim
These fit TTS, but keep in mind that they are meant to be slightly low rise and oversized. I love that they are relaxed all over the body and that they are trimmed. For reference, I’m 6’2″ and consistently wear a size 25.
2. Denim with wide legs and cuffs
![offered rainbow sweater, casual spring jeans look, styling denim with cuffs](https://the-atlantic-pacific.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/BER55143_2.jpg)
This pair might be my favorite of them all! The dark wash and super large cuff really make them unlike anything else in my closet. In return, I couldn’t wait to play with styling it!
Styling wide leg jeans: cuffed versions
If you’re wondering how to style wide leg jeans with turn-ups, the good news is that I found this to be quite easy to style. The length makes them ideal to wear with flats, so I paired them with classic Chanel ballerinas, this cashmere sweater (a favorite of mine) and this green coat I bought two years ago.
Many people may think that dark denim equals chic, but don’t fall into that trap. I love pairing dark denim with light washes! When it comes to making an outfit stand out from the crowd, it’s always about thinking outside the box and creating a little surprise.
About the denim
I took a size smaller for this one. With my height (1.80 m) they are the perfect length for flat shoes! They are 100% cotton and therefore contain no stretch. This means you don’t have to worry about them losing their shape during the day. I also like that they fit around the waist.
3. White denim with wide legs
![white denim wide leg, denim platform shoes, green and white styling](https://the-atlantic-pacific.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/BER55191_2.jpg)
With spring just around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to look at how to style wide leg jeans in white or cream. Don’t get me wrong, I love wearing dresses with sandals in warm weather, but it’s also nice to mix it up with some trouser looks. These high-waisted white jeans were the winning pair in this category!
Styling wide leg jeans: white or cream
The styling options for this are honestly endless. For this look I chose to go for spring tones by combining them with a green blazer, a Tuckernuck scarf, my favorite platforms, and this awesome leather saddle bag. I love how the green pops out of the white. Speaking of this shade, if you’re a fan of all things green, be sure to check out my roundup of green outfit ideas!
A more classic styling option would also look great with these jeans. You can pair them with this navy blue and white striped top, these navy blue loafers and this cute leather crossbody bag. I also think white denim is the perfect candidate to mix with real denim in different shades of blue. Check out this post for some inspiration!
About the denim
I wear my normal size 0 and I think they fit perfectly. Based on the reviews I feared they would be super long, but I found these to be very long. Although I wore them with platforms in these photos, I’ve found that a low mule works well with these too!
4. Classic wide leg denim
![denim-on-denim look, classic denim styling, demellier bag styling](https://the-atlantic-pacific.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/BER55350_2.jpg)
Of the five pairs I’m discussing today, I would consider this one to be the most classic pair. It’s a high-waisted, wide leg jean in a great mid-tone wash. They don’t have much wear or sandblasting; it’s just a timeless blue jeans. I’ve actually never bought denim from this brand before, so this was a bit of an unexpected love!
Styling wide leg jeans: a classic pair
Although I consider this the most classic pair, I still wanted to style them a bit on trend. So I went for denim on denim. I wore them with an older oversized Topshop button-down, this denim peacoat, these pointed-toe pumps that I tend to love, and my DeMellier bag (you can see a full review of this bag here). I really loved this look. However, this is such a timeless pair that there are countless styling options!
About the denim
Since this was my first time ordering denim from this brand, I was happy to find out that they run TTS. For me, they are a great length to pair with a medium to high heel. I love that they fit around the waist, but not tight over the hips. The wide leg opening also felt perfect to me. They had just the right amount of volume!
5. Loose wide leg denim
![wide leg jeans, how to style denim with color, pink and red outfit ideas](https://the-atlantic-pacific.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/BER55274_2.jpg)
If you’re wondering how to style baggy jeans that are loose, you’re not alone. I think this might be the trickiest type to style, but it is definitely possible to make them look chic! I bought these wide jeans and I have to say that I feel like they look very different on me than on the model. They are a mid-rise fit (as described), but they don’t seem to fit me that much. In short, they weren’t as long or baggy as I expected!
Styling wide leg jeans: wide versions
I wanted to create another colorful, fun denim look. So in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I mixed and matched these jeans with this cable knit sweater, this detachable collar, a pair of Mango mules, and an older Casablanca coat. I also wanted to take this baggy denim to a more sophisticated place. So I love how these more tailored styles brighten up this denim a bit.
About the denim
While these jeans weren’t as wide as I expected, they still had the widest leg opening of any denim I tried. They are made of a cotton/viscose blend with stretch and are wonderfully soft. This material also makes them drape a little more smoothly than most denim in my closet, which was a nice change!
What didn’t work
As I mentioned earlier, I had to try them on before I could decide how to style wide leg jeans a lot of of different pairs. There were a few pairs that I had high hopes for, but ultimately just didn’t work for me. I’ll share these below!
1. Agolde Lady with wide legs
I was swimming in this. Even if I sized down, the amount of volume and extended length of it just didn’t work. They look so cool on the model, but on me they gave off Y2K vibes in a really bad way.
2. PUSSY from the Kloth Jodi Jeans
At just over $100 I was really hoping these would be great quality for the price. Unfortunately, these were way too smooth for me and ended up looking sloppy. On the other hand, they were extremely comfortable. I just didn’t care how deconstructed they looked at me.
3. Paige Sasha wide leg
This is a beautiful wash, which originally caught my attention. And while I loved the shape of my legs, they hugged me in all the wrong places when it came to the waist and hip. I would definitely try this wash in a different cut though!
Final thoughts on styling wide leg jeans
Nowadays there are so many different styles of jeans out there that it’s hard to know where to start. Although I currently get most of the wear out of my straight leg jeans, I like to have a variety of jean styles in my closet to wear as needed. Yes, even skinny jeans (to wear with high boots!)
Figuring out how to style wide leg jeans can sometimes be tricky because there’s a fine line between dressy and sloppy. But I really love these five pairs. And if you’re ready to try this trend, I hope these reviews and styling ideas are helpful!
For more outfit inspiration, check out my posts about Adidas Gazelle Outfit Ideas, styling dresses with sandalsAnd green outfit ideas!