How to Wear Wide-Leg Pants for Women Over 50
Wide-leg pants are a stylish and comfortable wardrobe staple for women who are looking for a versatile pant that provides ease of movement throughout the day. They’ve been a growing trend for the last few seasons and are now more available at all price points and leg widths. Today, I’m addressing some common questions about wearing wide-leg pants and sharing a few of my favorite pairs. Let’s look at how to wear wide-leg pants for women over 50.
Tips for How to Style Wide Leg Pants
1. Highlight Your Waist
The secret to wearing wide-leg pants is all in the proportions you use to create a flattering silhouette. Wide-leg pants naturally add volume to your lower half, so it’s important to highlight your waist to maintain balance. A high-waisted pair is perfect for this, and tucking in your top (or choosing a cropped option) will help define your waist. If tucking isn’t your thing, try a shorter top that hits right at your natural waistline. I like to tuck my shirts, then blouse the top just over the waistband portion which gives a more relaxed feel.
2. Balance the Volume
Because the pants are wide, you’ll want to keep your top more fitted. Think slim sweaters, tailored blouses, or even a structured blazer. The idea is to balance out the width of the pants with a more streamlined top half. If you love loose tops, make sure to add some definition to your waist, either with a belt or by doing a half-tuck.
3. Choose the Right Shoes
Shoes can make all the difference when wearing wide-leg pants. If you’re going for a more dressed-up look, opt for heels, wedges, or heeled boots. The extra height helps to elongate your frame and prevent the pants from overwhelming you.
For a more casual look, flats or even sneakers can work just as well, but again, make sure your pants are hemmed properly so they don’t drag on the ground or make you look shorter. I love wearing mine with ankle boots in cooler weather.
See also- What Length Should Your Pants Be?
4. Pick the Correct Fabric
In general, the wider the leg, the softer the fabric should be. Linen, rayon, bamboo, polyester, lightweight silk, and cotton make wonderful palazzo pants because they swish when you move and drape beautifully. Many of these come with an elastic waist, which is preferable to conceal. Visible elastic waistbands can be as unflattering as visible panty lines so tuck, half tuck or cover with a belt.
Different Types of Wide-Leg Pants
I think this pair from Wit & Wisdom is one of the best pairs of wide-leg jeans at Nordstrom. They come in regular and petite sizes, go up to a size 18, and are under $100. The classic blue wash goes with almost anything, while the high waist ‘Ab’solution powermesh panels hold you in. The substantial fabric and wide hem help them keep their full-leg silhouette.
You might be surprised to see wide-leg sweats on my list, but I found myself reaching for this pair from Spanx more often than I expected last winter. They’re a fantastic, comfortable alternative to leggings or tight exercise pants and come in petite.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wide Leg Pants
What is the right length for wide leg pants?
Let’s talk about length because this can make or break your wide-leg pants look. Wide-leg pants are amazing for elongating your legs, but only if the length is right. Generally, you want your pants to be around 1/2″ from the floor or hit right above the ankle, depending on the style you’re going for.
- Full-length pants are great for a dressier look. Pair them with a heel to really lengthen your legs and create a sleek silhouette.
- Cropped wide-leg pants are a more casual option, but you’ll need to be mindful of where they hit your leg. If you’re petite, this style can be a bit tricky, so aim for them to hit just above the ankle and pair with shoes that show a little skin to keep things balanced.
Can petite women wear wide-leg pants?
You may be thinking…Can a petite woman wear wide-leg pants in a flattering way? Absolutely! Shorter women often look better in a wide-leg pant in stiffer fabrics because they add structure. They’ll also elongate the look of your leg if you can wear them with a small heel. Some women like to puddle their wide-leg pants, but I don’t recommend it for petite gals because it could end up looking like you’re too short for your pants 🙂 With full-leg crop pants, I prefer a shoe, slide, or sandal that allows some skin to show on the top of the foot and ankle. Shoes like a ballet flat are especially nice with crops.
Do wide-leg pants make you look heavy?
Wide-legged pants conceal the shape of your legs, so they’re great for camouflaging heavy thighs. They won’t make you look heavier than you are if you get the proportions right.
Best Wide-Leg Pants for Women Over 50
Some great places to find wide-leg pants are Anthropologie, ASOS, Madewell, Eileen Fisher, J.Jill, and Nordstrom. I’m sharing a few of my favorite pairs below for you.
Colette Wide-Leg
First up, we have the Colette. Anthropologie makes this style in a myriad of fabrics and colors because they’re flattering, fit beautifully, and are very popular. They come in standard, petite, tall, and plus in sizes 23P-26W.
Frank & Eileen Westport Italian Wide Leg Chino
Made with super-soft Italian fabric, these wide leg chinos have the perfect wide-leg fit that’s laid-back but still looks put-together. You can easily dress them up or down, depending on where your day takes you. They’re available in multiple colors plus light denim.
Chico’s Brigitte Wide Leg Pants
These wide leg Brigitte pants are great as the wider leg provides a much more forgiving fit!
Eileen Fisher Felted Wool Jersey Wide-Leg Pant in Regenerative Wool
These felted wool jersey trousers are as soft as can be with a wide elastic waistband, slash pockets, and a slightly longer inseam. I’m used to some wool feeling scratchy, but these are not. This color is chalk, and they come in black or soft olive, called wren.
Shop More Wide-Leg Pants:
Have you dabbled with wide-leg pants?
Thanks for reading ladies, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I think I look hip in wide and baggy at the bottom.
I bet you do!
I am in the clergy and know wearing a collar and black pants is not the most feminine! The wide leg pants along with a colorful duster from Kenya have given me a way to express my personal style and feel feminine. But you are right, the fabric makes all the difference along with the proper hem length. I wear Dr. Martens and prefer my pants to be slightly shorter. Good article – I think (and hope!) that wide legged pants will be an option we will see for years to come.
I am 81 years young and I am an artist. I paint in large sizes my landscapes.
But I love fashion. I was 22 years the owner of a model-and castingagency in Amsterdam. When I look in the morning to my cloths (too much) I decide what I wear depends of myy mood. Most of the times wide leg pants with a tshirt. But when I go out for lunch then I wear a blouse on it with a short jacket. My dresses are long with sleeves half of my arms.
Hi I would like to try wide leg pants but am not sure if they will make me look bigger I am wider in shoulder than hips, or would they make me look more same size top and bottom.
They should add a nice balance
I have some to wear but when I put them on I look like a box. I have a bit of a pot so I like to wear a longer top so it isn’t as visible. If I put a jacket on it looks even worse. I’m 5’9″ and slender.
I do like the looks but can’t achieve it
I’m in So Cal and I think the wide leg look is so cute when I see it on teenagers and young women. I’m 5’1″, 120 lbs., & 57 years old. I just bought my first pair of wide leg jeans. Then I got them home and started having second thoughts about them. Am I too old? Am I too short? Will I look silly, like I’m trying to look like a teenager? So I hopped online to find some fashion advice and opinions, and I found you! I’m keeping the jeans, and I’m bookmarking you. I think your photos and explanations are well done and helpful. Thanks for inspiring some confidence.
I ordered a pair of wide leg jeNs that come to the floor. wore with wedge sandals and love the look!!
I am 5’8” 160lbs.
I hate the cropped ones- make legs look short and have not seen anyone look good in them! The jeans to the floor make your legs look long (add a wedge and make yourself look mor proportionate if you are short and not so lean) cheat with the illusion!
Have fun ladies! Let’s stop worrying Bout “age appropriate” have fun!
I know I’m in the minority, but most women look heavier in wide leg pants regardless of balance. Compare photos of people/you with straight leg and wide leg pants. No comparison. I think this is going to be a very short lived look.
I’m not sure how short it will be 🙂
I’ve been wearing wide leg jeans and pants for about 2 years.
I love them
I do have to say they have staying power since my kids wore them in the early ‘90’s. They lost the spotlight for awhile but we’re still around
Just hard to find. I noticed their comeback starting around 2020-2021 but a lot moreover the year and a half. Especially in linen, so flowy.
Ann, I’m with you here! I think only relatively slim women with long legs look good in wide leg jeans/slacks. As a petite I’ve tried several pairs and look ridiculous. And don’t get me started on the barrel leg pants, LOL
Oh, t forgot to mention, I’m 4’11” . You have to get the length right, mine touch the top of my foot and high waisted. They really give the look of longer legs. No fold or crease on the bottom.
Hope you try them again.😊
I wear wide wide leg pants. I love them. I’m 5.3. Talbott have the best fitting wide leg pants.
I’m 70 yrs 5’2” 125lbs and I love wide leg jeans. I have small waist and not so small hips and thighs lol. Wide leg pants hide my thighs. Longer length w heels is a must to add height. Never could wear ankle length pants or capris.
I agree. I’m short and chubby and they looked horrible on me!
Hi jennifer,
If I wear wide leg cropped jeans with booties, is it ok if skin shows between bottom of the jeans and the top of the booties?
Thanks,
Jamie
Yes! That’s a very popular look. And frankly more comfy than having your pants get stuck on the top of your boots.
I like cropped ones with sandals but not too full of leg. I get compliments on those every time.
I have some to wear but when I put them on I look like a box. I have a bit of a pot so I like to wear a longer top so it isn’t as visible. If I put a jacket on it looks even worse. I’m 5’9″ and slender.
I do like the looks but can’t achieve it
This was so timely, and I needed the reminder about ‘cropped’ tops with high-waisted, wide-legged trousers. I was just about to donate 2 or 3 too short sweaters. Now, I am keeping them to wear with my wide pants. And, I also get to purchase a new, long sweater to go with slim pants and jeggings – lol.
Smart thinking!
I have several pairs of wide leg pants/crops. I am 5’4″ and don’t feel the wide leg bottoms are unflattering on me. I like the change from form fitting to a looser fit. The first picture of you in the blue with long cardigan is very flattering, as well as, the picture of you in the quilted short jacket and jeans.
Thank you for all the wonderful tips on what to wear and what not to wear.
Thanks Mary!
Hi Jennifer – This is such a good reference guide for wide legged pants, thank you! I have tried on a couple pairs, but I have not found the “right” pair yet. I will definitely try on some of the styles you have shown here.
I am not going to change to wide leg pants this season. I will turn 80 and keep up with fashion but will do that with new tops and jackets you have suggested. I love your blogs, Jennifer, and think I will be just fine with my jeans and pants that are still in great shape.
At 61 1/2” tall and 140 lbs., I love the trouser jeans the best from Chicos! I wear a 2P comfortably all day, even when the bloat starts after meals. I do have some straight leg jeans and some boyfriend jeans, but the width of the trouser jeans which comes down onto my feet is the best. I have memories of the dreaded high water pants too and just don’t like the look on me. Like you Jennifer, my shoulders are wide, but I no longer have a nice waistline. It has fluffed out. My hips are still slim so Chicos are the ones that fit me. In straight leg, the Liz Claiborne Sara jeans from JCP are a close second in comfort and fit. I wear a 12P in them. Enjoy your visit with your daughter on the island.
Thank you Sydney
I am seeing very, very few folks wearing wide leg pants in our area (southeast Michigan), only a few young people with some wide leg jeans. As a 5-4 pear wearing size 16-18, it seems impossible to find some that look even passable. Any ideas?? You rock them, with the width balancing your shoulders and accentuating a lovely small waist and narrow hips.
I know you’re on the cusp of the petite section, but you may have better success there because the legs are proportionally smaller to fit our height.
I like the look of wide leg pants on everybody but me. I don’t think I’ll ever embrace them but I heard that straight leg and even skinny legs are back for fall 🤞
Very helpful tips, especially when I can see how they look on a woman over 60! Unfortunately, I am not the ideal shape for this style (large waist and skinny legs) so the extra fabric flaps unattractively when I walk and I don’t like highlighting my waist. The cropped styles look especially bad on me. I do have a couple full length in soft linen that I like. Hoping this style’s popularity ends soon.
I just ordered the JJILL wide leg jeans you tried on a month ago can’t wait to try them on. Also liked the MZ Wallace crossbody bags so I am trying one of the those too. Thank you for all your info.
I’m short so I don’t choose wide leg pants as a rule. I’m more comfortable in boot cut. I do like the look of wide leg pants for evening wear though with a sparkly top😊
Good morning, Jennifer. I love wide leg trousers, especially ones made from soft drapey fabrics. They remind me of the glamorous trousers worn by Katherine Hepburn and other classic actresses in the 1930s and 19 40s. I tend to wear mine with my collection of Ming Wang solid color knit tanks, and depending on the season, either a chiffon/georgette asymmetric-hem open-front jacket or a cashmere sweater with a pretty belt. My footwear depends on the current weather conditions. All of my wide leg trousers are full length as I don’t feel emotionally comfortable or pretty in crops (probably because of too much teasing and bullying as a young tween/teenager because my legs were growing so fast that my trousers became “high waters” within a week or two of being purchased). I’m sure I’m not the only one out there who isn’t comfortable in certain styles due to bad memories instead of reasons like “It makes me look even shorter/taller/wider/skinnier, etc. than I am”. That aside, I really love how the felted wool trousers and cardigan outfit looks on you. It’s so classy but still comfortable-looking and easily dressed up or down by your choice of accessories. Thank you so much for sharing your advice!
You are certainly not alone there! I struggle with memories of being teased for having “football” shoulders so I never dress to accentuate them.
100% on board with wide legs. I’m 5’3” and short waisted so I like a high rise with a shorter or tucked in top and or shorter jacket or cardigan. This fall I’m going to experiment with some longer third pieces over wide pants and jeans a la Eileen Fisher or COS. Getting those proportions right will be tricky. I generally think wide pants give a more modern look and you don’t have to wear heels with them!
I agree and prefer them with flats too, Shari. The proportion of a narrow heel and wide legs, looks off to me.