Design & Style

How to Style Wide-Leg Pants: 4 Types of Wide-Leg Pants

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Mar 1, 2022 • 2 min read

Wide-leg pants are a classic pant silhouette. Learn about different styles of wide-leg pants and how to wear them.

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What Are Wide-Leg Pants?

Wide-leg pants, also known as palazzo pants, are fitted at the waistline and flare out from the hips. Unliked flared pants, which extend out around the ankles, wide-legged pants flare from the hips downward to create volume around the ankles. Wide-leg pants can create the illusion of elongating your legs.

4 Types of Wide-Leg Pants

From dramatic jeans to loose loungewear, there are many styles of wide-leg pants, including:

  1. 1. Wide-leg jeans: You can dress up or dress down with wide-leg jeans. Wear light-wash wide-leg jeans and a crop top for a casual look, or wear a dark-wash wide-leg pair of jeans with a button-down shirt for a business casual look.
  2. 2. Wide-leg jumpsuit: A wide-leg jumpsuit offers a streamlined and cohesive look from top to bottom. Wide-leg jumpsuits are a great alternative to summer dresses or formal dresses.
  3. 3. Wide-leg dress pants: You can wear wide-leg trousers and wide-leg linen pants featuring pleats and tie-fronts to the office. These wide-leg pants offer a dramatic look with a relaxed fit that’s comfortable for work.
  4. 4. Wide-leg loungewear: Wide-leg pants made of stretchy, breathable fabrics are perfect for lounging or physical activities. You can find wide-leg sweatpants, wide-leg yoga pants, and wide-leg pajamas.

5 Ways to Style Wide-Leg Pants

Consider the following style tips and outfit ideas for wearing wide-leg pants:

  1. 1. Emphasize curvy hips. Choose wide-leg pants fitted at the hips to emphasize your hip curves.
  2. 2. Elongate your legs with a high waist. If you are petite, choose full-length, high-waisted pants to create the appearance of a long pantleg.
  3. 3. Add some height. Pair wide-leg pants that barely touch the floor with high heels to make your legs appear longer. (You can also wear wide-leg pants with flats, loafers, booties, or sneakers—just be sure the hem is at an appropriate height.)
  4. 4. Emphasize your waist. Wear a crop top or tuck in a T-shirt to create a smooth silhouette. For a business-casual look, tuck in a collared shirt or button-down. You can also tuck in a buttoned cardigan for a preppy look.
  5. 5. Make a statement. Pair wide-leg pants with a fitted statement coat for a fashion-forward look. You can wear a denim jacket for a casual look or a blazer for workwear. Cropped jackets create a nice balance with wide-leg pants.

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