On becoming a wide leg jean person

Baggy jeans are trending, but how to wear them with flats!? And in the winter!?

Here’s the problem with baggy and/or wide leg jeans. I’ve always stood by the idea that they require heels to create that long leg effect. And to make matters worse, they need to be hemmed to a specific pair of heels! I do not like to be boxed in with my purchases and I specifically don’t like to be cuffed to uncomfortable shoes.

That plus adding volume is intimidating and requires a bit of thought and practice, and who has the time! So I usually just avoid. But I fear we cannot put them off any longer. It is the jean shape of the moment. HOWEVER, that whole heel thing? Ancient history. We’re all flats people now.

Determined to find a pair that felt like me, didn’t need a lift and was flattering in all the right places, I spent the past few months trying on many pair. I kept just one, because really, one is plenty for me.

So today, we are going to dive into what to look for when starting your own wide legged adventure. Or just some general styling and fit tips if you’re already there!

The One

The winner for me were CO’s wide leg jeans. They are fantastic on so many levels which I will break down. But first, a note to say, I think you’ll all be glad I held off on this post until now because they are on SUPER sale just about everywhere.

If you’re a size 30. Here they are for $99!

For the rest of you, here they are 70% off. Score!

If final sale is too scary, they’re available here and here for slightly more but returnable.

CO’s wide leg jeans. I’m wearing a size 26 which is my usual size. I’m 5’5” and I did not need to hem these.

Ok and onto the breakdown.

Wide leg jeans are easier in the summertime (ugh!)

Wide leg jeans with sandals and a t-shirt are a perfect combo because the volume on the pants require a bit of skin elsewhere. So if your toes are sticking out and your arms (+neckline if you are a tank person), the jeans are easily balanced. Which is precisely why we are talking about them now. We don’t need one season jeans, am I right? Winter, when you need to bundle, is way more of a challenge!

How to solve for this? I started by paring these with light colors. A simple merino long sleeve tee and nude ballet flats are a nod to my skin color. Adjust accordingly.

Heimat merino long sleeve t-shirt (men’s small). Here’s a more slim fitting option too. Plus tan suede ballerinas. Mine are an old The Row Mary Jane pair, but also love the Mansur Gavriel dream ballerina. (These on sale in a size 40) They’re up there on my list! I’ve been looking for them in red for years, but this pink is also great.

Step two: Add a jacket

Realizing this is a cold weather post and I am wearing these in cold weather, I recognize that we must discuss outerwear. I pair these jeans with my short tweedy jacket for not freezing days, adding a scarf when the temps drop. This jacket hits at my hips (not below, which I will get to at the bottom in the DO NOT DO section) and a dainty bag which dresses the whole thing up.

My tweed jacket here is a vintage Giorgio Armani from TRR that I took out the shoulder pads and narrowed the sleeves (a reminder that vintage need not be perfect to purchase. Spent $30 on the jacket and $150 on tailoring!) I also LOVE this one if you don’t have the patience. Look at those leather buttons!

The same outfit also looks great with sneakers, whew!

If you aren’t going nude or brown with your shoes, might I suggest a sporty/chunky boot, or a classic sneaker with a little heft like tried and true 990s or Asics Gel-Kayanos.

990s for life! Plus a designery designer bag with all over logos…if you’re going to go logo…go all the way! :)

PLAYGROUND READY!!! Just pair with our favorite Uniqlo bag and the Great sweatshirt and off you go to chase your pride and joy all afternoon.

Perfect proportions: a sweater that hits at your waist and chunky boots

This particular sweater was my favorite find of the after Christmas sale season. I have worn it already a half dozen times at least, and I’ve had it a less than two weeks. Mine is a size small. But they still have M and L left!

The boots. The color of this particular pair of jeans pairs nicely with brown, and you know I love brown boots. But if you end up going with a lighter wash denim or black, a black boot with the same chunky proportions would be great too.

Giuliva Heritage sweater and brown, heavy soled boots. I would actually recommend a non-lace up if you’re going for your first hefty sole. I love these! Would definitely buy if I could buy it all! And also these of course, from our brown boot guide. The lace up feels a bit old-timey, which works with this sweater, but a bit less overall fashionable.

But what about when its really cold!?

I actually didn’t know if I was going to be comfortable wearing my wide leg jeans with a long coat. I was nervous the proportions were going to swallow me and avoided wearing them when it got extremely cold in December. But then I saw Patricia Lansing walking up Madison Avenue one day in wide leg jeans, a cashmere coat and crossbody bag and she looked amazing. Well I mean, she always looks amazing, she’s Carolina Herrera’s daughter after all, but it made me think again.

Here is the trick. Choose a long coat that hits just below or at the knee, not your sweeping long coat. This way you don’t disappear in all the fabric. It actually somehow makes you look longer.

*I think* it’s because the long line of the coat meets up with the sides of the jeans and just creates a big line all the way down. My hat here. Another great one too.

Another pro tip, A crossbody bag helps bring attention to the waist. See how the back chain pulls at the waist slightly as it comes around to break up the outfit in a way that a hand-held bag wouldn’t?

This is an old soft shoulder Alberto Biani coat. Here is a very similar option. Maybe even nicer! I put this puffer under it on cold days. A Charvet grey scarf, but any classic fringe scarf will do. Here’s a perfectly great one.

WHY THESE JEANS IN PARTICULAR?

Lots of reasons.

The waistband is just the right thickness. Not so thick that they are a statement, but not so slim that it doesn’t feel supportive. Also, they’re tight in the hips and then gradually get wider, instead of just being a big pool of denim, something my non-boyish body needs. I’m going for baggy, not completely unflattering!

The slit pockets on the front don’t create bulk or cut you on your hip. Meaning its a straight line all the way down. (I did buy high waisted underwear to wear with these so you wouldn’t see anything dig in, and they are super great, an aside)

The butt pockets sit low enough that they hug your bum and are super flattering

They look great from the back!

Now, and this is important! What NOT to do.

As I said at the beginning. Wide leg jeans require proportion control. So here are the two things I advise AGAINST when living your wide leg lifestyle.

1. A jacket or blazer that hits where the jeans start getting really baggy. This just cuts in all the wrong places and will make your whole outfit look stout.

2. Super narrow shoes. I tried to wear these with my Belgians and the whole thing was off.

DO NOT DO! Here, two of my favorite things (my Chanel military jacket and Belgian loafers) that just do not work.

4 other things

Since we can’t very well sign off with those two horrible photos, here are four more runners up. This is 5 Things after all.

FROM LEFT 1. Citizens of Humanity. These are super soft and less high waisted than mine. Probably your most comfortable option. 2. Slvrlake. I love their washes and fabrics. This is a baggier jean all around if you want a less retro fit. 3. Officine Generale. Very nipped at the waist for you tiny waisted types. 4. Nili Lotan. Just a great all around fit with long straight line pockets which is flattering.`

Until next week, yours TRULY,

Becky

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