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.