One of my favorite fall fashion purchases has been my Paige Anessa Patch Pocket High Waist Wide Leg Jeans. I included them in my The Most Wearable Fall 2023 Fashion Trends post but I’ve been wearing them so often that I wanted to share some styling tips for high waist wide leg jeans.
Can You Wear High Waist Wide Leg Jeans?
High waist wide leg pants (especially with 70s-style patch pockets) aren’t my usual style. I’m petite, so I figured that the high waist would make my torso appear short, and the volume of the pants would overwhelm my frame. However, with the right tops and shoes, I love the way these look!
Tops To Wear With Wide Leg Jeans
The two no-fail types of tops to wear with your wide leg jeans are:
1) Cropped Tops
2) Fitted tops (i.e. tucked in)
3) Tie-front tops
With bootcut jeans and flared jeans, longer and/or loose tops look good as they are slim through the hips and thighs. With wide leg pants which are more loose around your thighs, a longer top can look frumpy. The exception would be a blazer or coat (which you would wear over your fitted or cropped top).
Cropped Tops
I’m wearing a Slubbed Crop T-shirt for a simple casual look. In colder weather, I would throw on a cropped puffer vest or jacket with this top. Keep all of your top layers cropped to follow the 2/3 rule i.e. your tops cover 1/3 of your body length and your bottoms cover the other 2/3.
Fitted Tops
A body suit or fitted t-shirt also looks good with wide leg bottoms. I’m wearing an old graphic t-shirt and adding a little pop of color with a belt (currently available in Cognac or Black).
Tie-Front Tops
Tie-front tops like your favorite button-down shirt also look good with wide leg bottoms. For an athleisure look, try a cropped, cinched sweatshirt like this Sedona Half-Zip by Vuori.
For a classic look tie your favorite button-up white shirt at your waist.
Shoes And Boots To Wear With Your Wide leg Jeans
Because you have so much fabric around your ankles, you’ll want your shoes to have some volume but not too much. Skip the ballet flats and strappy sandals, and opt for:
1) Loafers
2) Boots with block or kitten heels
3) Sneakers (My favorites are my Salvas, Howells, and Tree Runners).
A few trends to consider: silver shoes, kitten heels, pointed-toe boots, and square-toe boots.
