How to Wear Wide-Leg Pants for Women Over 50
Wide-leg pants are easily one of the most forgiving shapes you can wear after 50. If you’ve been staring at a pair on a rack, talking yourself out of them because you aren’t sure how to wear wide leg pants for women over 50 without looking like a walking sail, take this as your official permission slip to give them a shot.
They skim right over your thighs, the higher rise works with a midsection that may have changed over the years, and they look effortlessly polished without squeezing a single thing.
The good news? We aren’t stuck with the options we had five years ago, like tissue-thin linen palazzo pants or stiff corporate trousers. Today, wide-legs come in everything from soft denim to heavy ponte knits and cozy wool blends. There is a pair out there for every body and every budget, I promise.
Are Wide-Leg Pants Still in Style?
Yes, absolutely.
Skinny jeans haven’t just left the building, they’ve been out in the parking lot for years at this point. Wide-leg silhouettes have firmly taken their place as a modern classic alongside a great straight leg. You can step out in them knowing you look current, put-together, and completely at ease.
Where most of us run into trouble isn’t the pant itself, though. It’s how we style the rest of the outfit.
How to Wear Wide Leg Pants with The Rule of Thirds
Wide-leg pants bring a lot of visual volume to your lower half. If you wear a long, boxy tunic over top, you end up with a 50/50 split that cuts your body right in half and leaves you looking swallowed whole.
Instead, we want to create a 1/3 top to 2/3 bottom ratio.
By keeping your top visual portion shorter (or tucked) and letting the wide pant handle the lower 2/3, your eye naturally reads the line as long, lean, and balanced. Your legs suddenly look like they start at your waist instead of your hips.
If you want to see a full visual breakdown of how this works across different outfits, I dive deep into the math and examples in my post on the Rule of Thirds.
Highlight Your Waist
The goal here isn’t to disguise our curves, it’s just to prove we actually have a waist under there somewhere.
I usually reach for a top that stays closer to the body like a slim-fit knit, a neatly tailored blouse, or a structured jacket that nips in slightly.
Now, if you prefer looser tops, I get it. I have those days too…especially after a big lunch. You don’t have to give them up! Just give the eye an anchor point: A simple front-tuck, a soft half-tuck, or a great belt is all it takes to keep the outfit looking like a deliberate choice rather than something you threw on to hide.
Choosing the Right Shoes
Shoes can make or break this look faster than anything else. The main goal here is to keep the hem from dragging and prevent your feet from disappearing under a wall of fabric.
For a Dressed-Up Look: A block heel, a wedge, or an ankle boot gives you just enough lift to keep the silhouette long and elegant. In the fall and winter, I almost always reach for a bootie that slides right under the hemline.
For a Casual Look: Sneakers and flats look fantastic with wide legs, but pay attention to the toe shape! A round, chunky toe can make your feet look like little stubs peeking out from under all that fabric. A pointed or almond-toe flat acts like an extension of your leg line, giving you that same elongating effect without needing a single inch of heel.
And a quick note on hems: if your pant legs are so long they’re completely swallowing your shoes or sweeping the sidewalk, get them hemmed. Having the fabric graze just above the sole of your shoe, showing a bit of the sneaker itself, is what keeps the look crisp instead of sloppy.”
What Jacket To Wear?
This is the question I get in my inbox more than almost any other: “What coat do I wear over these without looking like a marshmallow?”
The secret is avoiding awkward middle lengths that hit right at the widest part of your hips. Stick to one of two extremes:
- Cropped and Structured: A denim jacket, moto jacket, or tailored blazer that hits right at or slightly below your natural waist. It keeps that 1/3 top proportion intact.
- Long and Sweeping: A long duster coat, trench, or full-length cardigan that moves with the flow of the pants.
MORE WIDE LEG PANTS AND JEANS
Pick the Right Fabric for the Silhouette
In general, the wider you go with the leg, the softer and drapery the fabric should be.
Lightweight cotton, linen, silk, rayon, and liquidy jersey drape and swish as you walk. That fluid motion is what makes a dramatic palazzo pant look so chic instead of heavy.
For stiffer, heavier fabrics like denim, heavy wool, or structured ponte knit, moderate is best. A stiff, ultra-wide denim pant doesn’t drape—it stands up on its own like a cardboard tube, which adds bulk where none of us asked for it. Look for denim or trousers that fit smoothly through the waist and rear before widening out slightly through the leg.
A quick note on waistbands: A lot of comfortable wide-leg pants come with pull-on elastic waists. We love comfort, but a visible elastic waistband can ruin an otherwise sophisticated outfit. Cover it with a belt, or use a soft front-tuck to drape your top just enough to hide the elastic band without sacrificing your waistline.
Ready to Give Them a Try?
Stepping out of what’s comfortable can feel like a gamble, but wide-leg pants are one of those rare modern shapes that actually work with our bodies, not against them. They give you an instant outfit upgrade with about half the effort of trying to squeeze into something painted on.
Start with a moderate width in a fabric you already love, keep your top to that 1/3 ratio, mind your shoe toes, and let the pants do the rest of the heavy lifting.
Have you embraced wide-leg pants yet, or are you still holding out? Tell me what’s keeping you on the fence.
I’ve updated this post with new links and tips for how to wear wide leg jeans.
Love the wide legs but hate the raw hems with strings hanging!
I try to trim mine after I launder them.
Lovely outfits. Thank you for the links. All the wide-legged pants look great on you!
At 80 and an apple shaped petite, I have been wearing and loving wide leg pants for a few years now. I don’t have to worry about them being to large in the hips and thighs after fitting my waist. And a dark wash jean looks so dressy with a cropped sweater or jacket. You do have to switch out your tops from the long/flowy ones you wore untucked with skinny pants but worh it for the updated look. I have even gotten my petite daughter in law to like them.
Wide-legged trousers, (summer or winter weight) are my go-to favourite trousers. I think the majority of my pant wardrobe are wide-legged. I have printed palazzo pants for summer and heavier black or blue denim for winter. They cover a multitude of sins! I am not a fan of showing off the shape of my legs so they are a perfect item for achieving this.
I’m always on the hunt for a great palazzo pant. They’re fun and feel so cool to wear.
Although I like having some extra room in pants, I feel like a clown in wide-legged pants. I am happy to be saying goodbye to skinny jeans, for sure.
I’ve ended up buying Eileen Fisher garment-dyed cotton pants that turned out to be Arch pants, and they felt too wide and heavy. The tapered leg was much easier for me to wear, as they were still loose enough through the hips and thighs.
When I shop for clothing now, I am always thinking about what would be really good for traveling, hence I want comfort, washability, and POCKETS, preferably with a zip. I just don’t feel wide-leg pants, or anything else oversized, gives any additional benefit. Especially if the item will crowd out what might have been space for an extra shirt or so.
I prefer my travel pants to be lightweight too.
I’m going to have to ease in to this one! Wide legged pants bring back memories of bell bottoms! I feel frumpy just thinking of that!
I don’t as a rule like wide leg pants because they usually just make me look baggy and frumpy but I have found a black brushed wide leg jean and an ivory pair of linen wide legs that I like and did get compliments on when I wore them. Im 5 ft 1 in so I buy them to partly cover my feet and wear wedge heels with them. Because of the fit of these two I feel dressy in them instead of baggy. I also am from the high water bullying era so my short pants need to look very intentional in their length for me to like them.
Thank you for the timely advice. I just received my Wit & Wisdom wide leg jeans in Candied Walnut. I think you showed them in a previous post. They look great, but either i’ll have to return them for petite or, get them hemmed. My short leg curse strikes again. I love the color. These will be great for fall…..;.thanks
Since Nordstrom has free returns you could easily swap them out for the petite version.
I guess I’m in the minority but in my opinion most women look broader and heavier in wide leg pants than in straight or slimmer (not skinny) styles. I tried two pair of wide leg crops, one in a soft flexible fabric and one in a more crisp structured fabric with closer fitting shorter tops and both of them made me look shorter and wider, not attractive at all. I’m already short and chunky so it’s not a look that I want to exaggerate now or ever.
You’re not alone. Many women don’t like them.
I am 5′ 2″ and average weight. I have a few wider leg pants. I find short tops .,not fitted, look the best on me. I think it is not so easy to find the right top for wide leg pants.
I like wide leg pants, but as a busty, short-waisted, apple-shaped tall person, the 1/3 – 2/3 ratio doesn’t work for me. Instead, I prefer the 2/3 – 1/3 ratio, i.e., a longer top with slimmer, shorter pants. I have to believe there are many other women in the same boat.
I’m 5’3″ and love wearing wide-leg jeans and hope they stay around indefinitely as I have now bought a number of wide-leg pants in different materials. I find them so comfortable. Although I also have straight leg pants, my preference is the wide-leg pants. I love all the pants that you styled too.
I have a love/hate relationship with the wide leg trend. Being broad shouldered and busty with a thick waist and slim, fit legs and hips, wide leg pants seem to hide my best assets and make me look like a block. That being said, they are comfortable. I like them in soft flowy fabrics but not so much in thicker fabric like denim. I much prefer a bootcut jean.
I love the bootcut.
Hi Jennifer-
Have you tried Collagen powder for your hair?
I have. It goes in my protein shake every morning.
You can wear full pants with skinny tops…perfect proportions…because YOU have a skinny top. Some of us are short with muffins tops and need to mess around a bit more….short, fitted tops under short swing jackets, etc., but have fun fooling around, in any case….
Many many thanks for another wonderful advice and guidance.
I love reading your posts and learning from them.
I glad you enjoyed this.
Great tips as to wearing a new look. I am a very petite person (height and weight) and have been reluctant to try this trend. A narrow fit (not skinny!) has always worked for me. And 3 or 4 year ago, tried the look without success……But tried again this year and found a few pairs that do work. I think you’re right in that the retailers are finding that we need softer fabrics. I have bought two pairs, from Talbots, both in soft denim. Wanting to try the knit denim but so far haven’t found any with petite sizing.
Hi Jennifer and what a great post!
I’m taking the plunge this fall and being petite, I have tried wide leg and they tend to be overwhelming. Can you shed light on relaxed straight vs slim wide legs? I am 5″1, size 4 with a 38″ hip and 29″ leg and have a great tailor.
Thanks for all you do!
Honestly, brands pull random names out of the air these days. Some straight legs are more a stovepipe and some are slim. It’s become harder to tell them apart without visuals.
I am slightly smaller than you and have the same concerns. Some retailers will give you stats such as leg opening, front rise, back rise along with inseam. For example, Nordstrom does this on most but not all jeans. It’s kind of a pain to look that up…..I wish they had a filter such as leg opening so I can pull up only those that I would consider.
I have two pairs in blue that are linen and one pair of jeans. Most comfortable and stylish! I am 5’6” and slender. I’m pairing them with a cropped sweater or dressy T for summer. In cooler weather, I wear a tucked-in long-sleeved T with a belt and a cotton duster.
I have to say that I have been trying to wear them for a couple of years now. I always feel sloppy in them. You are definitely right that the fabric makes a big difference. I find denim wide legs very hard to wear. I have discovered through trial and error, as you noted as well, that a more close fitting top is necessary. But even with that, I still feel sloppy and it seems that no matter what shoes I try, I just don’t like the look on me. It looks great on you and other people! I am planning to try all of your tips again since I already own several pairs but I am finding I feel more polished in a slim leg. That’s just me 😊
Great article Jennifer, thanks for the styling info. I have two pair of wide legs and you’ve confirmed that I’m styling them pretty much correctly. I must tell you I bought the R&B Miramar Jeans at the Nordstrom sale – and no they weren’t on sale darn-it . I simply can’t believe how much I love them. So much, that when I’m feeling rich I want to order another pair, different wash. They’re simply fabulous.
That’s why I have two pairs! They’re so comfy. I’m glad you tried them Lee Ann.
Thanks for the pictures and advice! Wide leg isn’t my favorite. It is very hard at below 5′ and 90 lbs to find a pair that fits and doesn’t shallow you. I finally did at Kohl’s after trying every store I could think of and bought 3 pair. Two pair were cropped but on me still ankle length. They are cute but still not my favorite look. I love straight, straight slim, bootcut, and flare anyday over them. That was last fall and haven’t been tempted to buy any more wide leg.
It would be helpful when ordering wide leg pants on line if the seller would give the hem opening as well as the inseam is given. I have observed a moderate hem width is easier to wear than a really wide leg.
Some brands do but not enough. I agree with you.
Nordstrom often gives not only inseam, but leg opening, front rise and back rise. It’s kind of a pain to search for it though, it’s in the item description. I wish they had a filter to include leg opening so I can look at only the ones I’d consider. Might narrow 20 pages of items down to 3 or 4……
I haven’t felt confident wearing the wide leg pants. I purchased a pair of “trouser” jeans a couple years ago. They are a wide leg style and graze the top of my shoe. Every time I try to wear them I look in the mirror and see myself as a big box. I’m 5’3″ and wear size 8 or 10 depending. My waistline isn’t what it once was and my tummy sticks out so I can only tuck when I”m wear a jacket. Perhaps cropped would work better. Retail options are few and far between where I live so I haven’t had the opportunity to try on different styles. I’m treating myself to a style session on my birthday next month. I’m to take 5 items I find difficult to wear. You can bet I’ll take those jean.
That’s a great idea Kathie
This spring you said frayed jeans were out of style, you took your jeans to the tailor to hem however you still show frayed jeans, are frayed jeans still in style?
I said they were losing popularity and that they’ve lost their charm for me but the stores are still showing a lot of them. Here’s where personal preference comes into play for personal style. You get to choose.
The wide leg pants have never ever been something I will purchase. I prefer the slim leg look.
I found that if the waist and hips are flattering, the wide legs look cute. If the waist and hips are thick it makes for a frumpy look. Leave them to a trim figure.
You cannot convince me of most all the wide leg pants you showed. Strait, but not wide, heavy, wrinkled linen. A thinner draped fabric, yes.
Thank you for the very informative write up re wide-legged pants which at first I was so afraid to try to wear being volouptous and petite woman.
I think I look hip in wide and baggy at the bottom.
I bet you do!
I think many women look great in wide legged pants, I’m not one of them. I’m 5′ 1″ and any extra fabric in my clothes just makes me look dumpy. I feel and look better in a straight legged jeans and pants. I do best with clothes that fit and skim over my body. For ladies wondering what looks best on them, take a photo and compare how you look in different styles of pants. It will become apparent quickly the styles that flatter. I like your hair style! It is looking healthy and soft.
Thanks! Selfies are such a valuable tool.
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.