Plus-Size Fashion Tips: How to Best Wear Wide-Leg Pants
It can get tiring looking in the mirror and thinking, “now what?” Wearing the same style day in and day out can get a little boring, especially if you fall into the mindset of thinking that your body shape is restricting you from wearing the looks you’re loving on everyone else. Perhaps you’re wondering whether wide-leg pants look good on plus-size women. The truth is there’s nothing holding you back from rocking this look (or any look for that matter), if you’ve been dying to try it. This style looks great on everyone – no matter the shape. Read on for a few tips on how you can make that wide-leg pant work for your curves and widen your fashion horizon in no time.
1. Balance Your Proportions
It’s no secret that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, everyone has their own personal preferences on how they want to present. However, no matter your desired body proportions, knowing how to balance these proportions can help tremendously when it comes to dressing your best self. For example, if you wear a women's blouse, you may want to keep your bottoms slim. Or, adversely, if you’re wearing wide-leg pants with more volume on the bottom, opting for a less blousy but more fitted top can create an appealing balance. It can also be fun to take it in the opposite direction and embrace a fully flowy or fully fitted silhouette - just be aware of your options!
Visual dressing is something else to consider when putting together an outfit. Specifically, dressing in patterns or details that visually draw attention to a particular part of the body or distract attention from others. For example, ruching at the waist visually curves inward and creates a more defined waist or 'hourglass shape', whereas stiff or heavy tops can have the opposite effect.
Ultimately embracing the body you’ve got in all of its glory is the best thing you can do for your wardrobe. There’s no denying that when it comes to dressing curves, the fabric can make all the difference. On the bottom, opt for fabrics with stretch or softness to accommodate hips. The last thing you want is for your pants to be pulling or gaping around your hips or midsection when you’re trying to rock a new style. If you need to go up a size to get that perfect fit, then so be it. Size is just a number, after all.
2. What Length Should Your Plus-Size Wide-Leg Pants Be?
Of course, the length of your pants is always important, but with wide-leg pants, the right length can make the look (and the wrong length can definitely break it). If you plan on wearing heels or a platform shoe with your wide-leg pants, then you’ll probably want to go with long pants. Ideally, they would hit your leg just past your ankle, grazing the toe of your shoe. Long pants can also give the illusion of longer legs and generally work best as high-waisted pants. Floor-grazing pants are a great look in formal settings or anywhere you’re likely to wear tall heels.
If you’re looking for a shorter length, you want that wide-leg to fall above the ankle like a crop pant length. This length works great with strappy sandals or pumps and could even work well with crisp, white sneakers for a more casual look.
3. Should You Tuck In Your Shirt?
The short answer is yes. The slightly longer answer is that since wide-leg pants flare out from the hip and have a more relaxed cut, you may want whatever you wear on top to be more fitted. Longer shirts should be neatly tucked into the high waist, while shorter tops – like camisoles or crop tops – should end at or above the waistline. For longer shirts and a more relaxed look you can always try out a French-tuck.
4. Can Wide-Leg Pants Work With a Blazer?
Wide-leg pants look great with a sleek, tailored blazer or cropped jacket (think denim or leather). Of course, like other tops, how you wear them is all in the balance of your look. Remember, the ultimate goal is to compliment the full wide-leg on the bottom. A regular business jacket hitting below the waist can work well with a wide-leg pant as long as it’s fitted to your silhouette and not baggy. When in doubt, consider going for a monochromatic look to visually balance your proportions (not to mention maximize the “wow” factor).
5. Can Wide-Leg Pants Work With a Long, Open Cardigan?
Absolutely, as long as the shirt underneath is tucked in or ends at (or above) your waistline. Also, you’ll want to make sure that the cardigan itself fits your proportions. For example, if you’re on the more petite side and want to avoid a baggy look, you may want to steer clear of cardigans that hit you mid-thigh. Instead, keep the hem of the cardigan no more than a few inches past the waistband of your pants.
6. Can Wide-Leg Pants Work With an Untucked, Closer-Fitting Tee?
An untucked, closer-fitting T-shirt is a great choice for a high-waisted wide-leg pant. If your pants are patterned or a vibrant color, you’ll want to stick with a more color-neutral top to keep your look stylish and not busy, and vice versa if you’re working with a more neutral pant. Another great choice is a shirt that draws the eye, like a tie-front tee that accentuates your waistline.
7. How to Wear Plus-Size Wide-Leg Jeans
Wide-leg jeans are a practical godsend for women who wear plus-sizes since they allow you to wear the denim styles you love without feeling pinched and prodded at the waist. Plus-size wide-leg jeans come in many different shapes and sizes. But we recommend going with a stretch option since, at the end of the day, comfort is what makes us feel and look our best.
8. How to Style Plus-Size Wide-Leg Jeans
A wide-leg stretch jean is a fun trend for any size and can pull an outfit together. Plus-size wide-leg jeans add a little something extra to the regular denim look, bringing a sense of fun and elegance to an otherwise casual look. To keep things casual, pair a plus-size wide-leg jean with stylish tennis shoes or flats while throwing on a more form-fitting t-shirt on top. Or, to transition to a more formal or evening look, pair with heeled boots or pumps and a sleek blazer.
9. How to Wear Plus-Size Palazzo Pants
Palazzo pants have been around for decades, allowing women to enjoy the comfort of pants while maintaining the elegance and femininity of a flowy women's dress or a skirt for women. When it comes to wide-leg pants, palazzo pants are the widest and most flowing, flaring evenly from waist to toe. As with most wide-leg looks, we recommend keeping things form-fitting on top with a chic tank top or shirt that’s cut just above the waistline. You can tuck a shirt into some palazzo pant styles as well.
Don’t wait until next season to start dressing your best self. Shop for a few pairs of stylish wide-leg pants today and rock your own personal runway by tomorrow.