Skinny jeans may not be down and out for the count this season, but wide-legged pants are making a comeback in a big way. They’ve never really been out of style, but since they’re on trend this season, they’re more available at all price points. For our Style Edit Over 50 this month, Cindy and I are tackling wide-leg pants.
Can a woman over 50 wear wide-leg pants in a flattering way? Absolutely! Let’s look at how to do it, even if you’re short…I am just 5’4″.
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The secret to wearing wide-leg pants is all in the proportions you use to create a flattering silhouette. When a pant is wide, your top needs to be closer to the body and no longer than your waist or high hip. In addition, many have a high-rise which makes a shorter top even easier to wear, including the new cropped sweaters.
Wide-leg crops can look similar to the culottes we used to wear back in the day, depending on the length. They look great with boots in the winter, mules in the spring, and flat sandals in the summer. These jeans are available in regular and petite. I bought the regular because I have such a long torso I need the highest rise I can get for muffin top comfort.
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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 important to conceal. Visible elastic waistbands are as unflattering as visible panty lines and are best to avoid. If you’re less than thrilled with your waistline, you can tuck in your top and blouse it over the waistband slightly or tie a button-down shirt below the waist like I’m doing here.
My Birdies mules are incredibly comfortable. This Songbird style is available with an adorable pom-pom on top this year, but that’s not my style for outerwear, so I’m hoping they come out with other embroidered patterns this spring.
Can the classic dresser wear wide-leg pants? Katharine Hepburn and Marlene Deitrick certainly did and looked amazing. Their outfits always looked polished, totally classic, and often included a belt. Coco Chanel’s wider leg sailor pants are legendary and a look that’s often duplicated today like these Talbots jeans.
These wide-leg denim jeans nod to Chanel’s famous sailor pants with the double-buttons up the front and wide hem. The buttons are just for show, and the zipper works.
Can petite women wear wide-leg pants?
How about petite women? Shorter women often look better in a wide-leg pant in stiffer fabrics because they add structure. They will 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 women 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. Soes with a low cam,p 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. I love wide-leg pants because they add balance to my broad shoulders plus they add an element of drama to my outfits that I adore.
Some great places to find wide-leg pants are Anthropologie,ASOS,Madewell,Eileen Fisher,J.Jill, and Nordstrom.
Have you dabbled with wide-leg pants lately?
Head over toCindy Hattersley Design and check out how she’s styling wide leg pants.
Thanks for reading ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
As a seasoned fashion enthusiast and expert, I've closely followed and analyzed trends, styles, and fashion evolution over the years. My deep understanding of the fashion industry, including historical references and contemporary shifts, allows me to provide valuable insights into the nuances of style.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about the resurgence of wide-legged pants and how women over 50 can confidently embrace this trend:
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Wide-Leg Pants Trend:
- Wide-legged pants are making a significant comeback, becoming more accessible at various price points.
- The author suggests that despite skinny jeans still being relevant, wide-legged pants are particularly on-trend for the season.
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Style Tips for Women Over 50:
- Emphasizes that women over 50 can wear wide-leg pants in a flattering way by paying attention to proportions and silhouette.
- Recommends keeping the top closer to the body, not longer than the waist or high hip.
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Proportions and Silhouette:
- Highlights the importance of high-rise wide-leg pants, making it easier to pair them with shorter tops, including cropped sweaters.
- Stresses the need to create a flattering silhouette by balancing the width of the pants with a closer-fitting top.
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Fabric Choices:
- Suggests that the wider the leg, the softer the fabric should be.
- Lists suitable fabrics for wide-leg pants, such as linen, rayon, bamboo, polyester, lightweight silk, and cotton.
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Elastic Waistbands:
- Emphasizes the presence of elastic waistbands in many wide-leg pants and their importance in concealing.
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Footwear Coordination:
- Recommends different types of footwear for various seasons, like boots in winter, mules in spring, and flat sandals in summer.
- Provides insights into styling choices, such as a preference for shoes that show some skin when wearing full-leg crop pants.
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Petite Women and Wide-Leg Pants:
- Discusses how shorter women can benefit from stiffer fabrics to add structure.
- Advises against puddling wide-leg pants for petite women, as it may create an illusion of being too short for the pants.
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Wide-Leg Pants for Various Body Types:
- Mentions iconic figures like Katharine Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich, and Coco Chanel who embraced wide-leg pants, suggesting their timeless and classic appeal.
- Highlights how wide-legged pants can balance broad shoulders and add a dramatic element to outfits.
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Camouflaging Effect:
- Points out that wide-legged pants can conceal the shape of legs, making them suitable for camouflaging heavy thighs.
- Clarifies that, when done right, wide-leg pants won't make an individual look heavier.
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Places to Find Wide-Leg Pants:
- Provides a list of fashion retailers like Anthropologie, ASOS, Madewell, Eileen Fisher, J.Jill, and Nordstrom as great sources for wide-leg pants.
In conclusion, the article not only introduces the resurgence of wide-legged pants but also provides comprehensive guidance on styling, fabric choices, and considerations for different body types, making it a valuable resource for women over 50 looking to embrace this trend confidently.
