Trends change with the seasons; what was in style yesterday could become a fashion nightmare tomorrow. As fashion cycles evolve, different pant silhouettes also ebb and flow in popularity.
You may find yourself wondering if even the most classic styles are still in vogue—in particular, are wide leg pants in style? We’ll guide you through this common clothing quandary by explaining where wide-leg pants stand in the fashion landscape, then sharing tips for incorporating them into your wardrobe.
Are Wide-Leg Pants in Style?
When it comes to what you wear, your own comfort and taste is paramount. But as a fashion-conscious individual, there’s nothing wrong with wanting your ensemble to be chic. So are wide-leg pants in, or are we returning to the days of leggings and skinny jeans?
Based on current search trends, interest in wide-leg pants shows a consistent upward trend over the past few years, demonstrating that wide-leg styles still enjoy a surge of popularity.
Practical and comfortable for people of all ages, they offer enough versatility to complement myriad styles. From low-rise, wide-leg jeans that appeal to Gen Z fashionistas to high-waisted palazzos that add pizzazz to mature workplace fits, modern brands are offering plenty of wide-leg styles.
Are Wide-Leg Pants Timeless or Trendy?
Wide-leg pants were born out of practicality—you’ll see why the second you slip into your first pair of sumptuous wide-leg loungewear pants. They give you your full range of motion while still helping you look put-together and stylish.
Wide-leg styles became a staple in the 1930s, as stars like Katherine Hepburn donned wide-legged styles to normalize pants as stylish options for womenswear.
Katherine Hepburn wearing wide-leg pants
Although pant silhouettes have fluctuated over the years, wide-leg styles just keep coming back. You’ll see them in the 60s and 70s as disco rose to prominence, and again in the 90s with baggy styles becoming popular across both mainstream hip-hop and counterculture grunge styles.
Just like clockwork, wide-leg pants are trendy once again. But that doesn’t mean they were ever fully out of style. The functional, sophisticated and flexible vibe of wide-legged bottoms is truly timeless, and you can easily style your wide-legged pants to be stylish for years down the line.
What Body Type Looks Good in Wide-Leg Pants?
There’s only one metric to consider when picking out a pair of pants—do they make you feel good? Anyone can look great in a pair of wide-leg pants as long as they choose a style that embodies their fashion sense and boosts their confidence.
Luckily, one of the appeals of wide-leg pants is their versatility and adaptability. They can flatter almost any body type, and you can use them to accentuate different features based on how you style them.
Wearing them high on your waist better accentuates an hourglass figure, and the flared shape helps balance out broad shoulders. Wider hips benefit from flowing movement and flattered natural proportions. Wide-leg pants even help augment curves for straighter silhouettes.
Regardless of your body type, you can pair your pants with tucked-in blouses, oversized sweaters and other accessories until you curate a look that just feels right.
How to Style Wide-Leg Pants
There are countless ways to build your outfit around a pair of wide-leg pants. Here are just a few styling tips you can try.
Pick a Stylish Silhouette
How you style your wide-leg pants starts with picking out the right pair. Wide-leg styles come in low-rise, high-rise and everywhere in between. Some options to explore include:
- Stretchy loungewear
- Structured wide-leg jeans
- Wide-leg pants in a bold color or statement pattern
For your first pair, pick out a versatile option that fits in with your current style. Look for soft, cozy materials that you’ll love to wear. Then, find an option in a neutral color that you can mix-and-match endlessly.
Lean Into the Oversized Vibe
Wide-leg pants have an oversized feel, and you can embrace it with chic oversized tops. Wide-leg styles look great with billowing button-downs, effortlessly comfy sweaters, and other flowing styles.
These slouchy styles keep you looking put-together when you step out of the house, while still being cozy enough to wear when you need to relax. If you want to hopping on a long-haul flight, oversized styling is the way to go.
Experiment With Loungewear Chic
Wide-leg pants are a quintessential staple in the world of loungewear. Lean into the luxurious, laid-back vibe by getting a loungewear set with a matching top. The monochrome look will give you an elevated, minimalist aesthetic that you’ll love.
Add a Statement Belt
Want a bit more structure out of your outfit? Try defining your waist with a statement belt. The transition from the bold belt to the flowing pant silhouette will add a bit of spice to casual looks.
Dress Up Your Look With Chunky Jewelry
Flowy bottoms tend to have a more relaxed vibe, but you can easily dress it up with just a few accessories. Add a few bracelets, a statement necklace, or even some basic chunky earrings. You’ll create a varied look that’s elegant and elevated, without sacrificing your comfort.
Slip Into Sandals
Sandals and wide-leg pants are a match made in heaven. They’re convenient and comfortable, but you can still dress them up or down with a few tweaks:
- Match your sandals to a bag or belt for some trendy color blocking.
- Wear effortless slides to transition from lounging at home to hanging out with friends.
- Combine flip-flops or gladiator sandals with a flowing tank top for a summery vibe.
Find Your Perfect Fit
When you have timeless wide-leg pants in your closet, you won’t need to overhaul your wardrobe any time trends change. With just a pair or two of luxurious Softies wide-leg lounge pants, you can create endless outfits for relaxing at home or going out on the town. Explore the Softies collection today to find a pair you’ll love.
