Looking for alllll the wide-leg jeans? Welcome to our Wide-Leg Jeans Hub, you’re in the right place! Here you’ll find the articles we’ve written that feature wide-leg jeans, some tips on how to style all different types of them and our go-to brands for each style. We feature the classic wide-leg jeans (both regular and cropped), flares and bootcut jeans in this particular guide, but we go into a bit of detail below on the other styles of wide-leg jeans that are out there, too.
What Are Wide-Leg Jeans?
For this purpose, wide-leg jeans can be flares, bootcut, baby bells, baby flares, mini boots, trouser jeans, sailor jeans, cropped flares, or cropped bootcut. Basically, if the leg isn’t skinny, straight, or tapered…we’re putting it in this category. I broke down the jean categories below:
- Classic Wide-Leg Jeans: Regular fitted waist, become wider from the hips down
- Flare Jeans: Slim fitted waist, become wider from the knees down
- Bootcut Jeans: Slim fitted waist, subtle flare begins from the knees down
- Mini Bootcut Jeans: Regular fitted waist, slight flare begins from the knees down
- Baby Bell Jeans: Slim or regular fitted waist, slight flare begins from the knees down
- Bare Flare Jeans: Regular fitted waist, become wider from the knees down
- Trouser Jeans: Regular fitted waist, become wider from hips down
- Sailor Jeans: Regular fitted waist, become wider from hips down, detailed sailor buttons on each side
- Cropped Flared Jeans: Slim fitted waist, become wider from the knees down, cropped hem
- Cropped Bootcut Jeans: Regular fitted waist, subtle flare begins from the knees down, cropped hem
The difference between wide-leg jeans and flare jeans is that a true wide-leg jean is fitted at the waist and hip, but looser through the thigh, gently flaring out all the way down the leg (where a flare is fitted to the knee). In general, if your wide-leg jean reads retro, it’s probably a flare jean. But if the vibe of your wide-leg jeans is classic, then it’s probably a true wide-leg. Also called ‘trouser jeans’, wide-legs are perfect for slightly casual work environments — it’s hard to find a jean style more polished and chic than a true wide-leg jean.
Regardless of a sub-category, wide-leg denim often boasts legs for days and adds a cool ’70s sensibility that we’ll never get enough of. They are way easier to style than one might think. They can be easily dressed up or down and add a fun twist to any outfit. Below are our styling tips to rock your beautiful wide-leg jeans.
You can check out our articles below for styling inspo, try-ons, and our favorite pairs in each category (including plus-size, tall and short-girl options, as well as our favorite sustainable picks). To skip to a specific style, just click the links below.
Tips for Styling Wide-Leg Jeans | How We Style Wide-Leg Jeans | Our Favorite Brands | Return To the Ultimate Denim Guide
Tips for Styling Wide-Leg Jeans
Tip 1: Tuck In (or Tie) Your Tee
This flared jeans and white tee look is so simple, but so chic. Tie a knot to accentuate curves like Laura and add a cute pair of leopard pumps for some leg-lengthening and edge (+ it matches her phone case).
Tip 2: Try Heeled Booties
Heeled booties are made for wide-leg jeans. Cropped wide legs? Even better. They add some leg-lengthening magic that cropped wide-leg jeans sometimes have. Julieta's lace-up booties work perfectly. Loving on this monochromatic moment, too.
Tip 3: Wear A Statement Top
A statement top with frills, ruffles, puff sleeves, etc. like Linzi's work great with flares and other wide-leg jean styles. The jeans help balance out the heaviness up top.
Tip 4: Wear The Longer Top
Don't be afraid of wearing a longer top with wide-leg style jeans. You can wear it out completely for a relaxed, boho look or give it a half tuck like Jess if it's too overwhelming on your silhouette.
Tip 5: Look Taller With A Monochromatic Moment
A monochromatic moment is SO good for wide-leg jeans styles. Since some can shorten the silhouette depending on how they're styled, the similar tones help create an elongated effect instead. Kat topped it off with a chic plaid blazer to elevate the look even more. Finish off with a cute pair of heeled boots for more height.
Tip 6: Try Clogs With Flares
One of our fave ways to style wide-leg jeans (especially flares) is with a pair of cute clogs like Linzi's. It gives us all the '70s vibes we love.
How We Style Wide-Leg Jeans
HOW WE STYLE WIDE-LEG JEANS
How We Style Cropped Wide-Leg Jeans
HOW WE STYLE CROPPED WIDE-LEG JEANS
How We Style Flare Jeans
HOW WE STYLE FLARES
How We Style Bootcut Jeans
HOW WE STYLE BOOTCUT JEANS
Our Editors’ Go-To Brands For Wide-Leg Jeans
Grlfrnd
Grlfrnd nails it when it come to variety and quality. OK, their jeans make us see why spending a bit more on denim is so worth it. So incredibly soft + they are built to last!
DL1961
DL1961 is a family-owned brand that creates premium denim with sustainability in mind. They have an amazing variety of jeans in different styles from the widest of wide legs to cropped flares.
Our Editors’ Go-To Brands For Cropped Wide-Leg Jeans
Cropped wide-leg jeans aren’t the easiest to style, but when they’re paired with the right pieces it can make an outfit 10x more interesting than your usual pair of jeans. They still have that classic look the regular wide-legs give, but they’re just a little more casual. They’re really great for showing off cute booties, too.
Everlane
Everlane not only offers great quality denim, but they also have inclusive sizing. They offer some eco-friendly fabrics and we can’t wait to see them take even more steps toward being even more sustainable in the future.
Free People
Free People offers great styles + a variety of sizes & inseams. Shana especially loves these Free People flares. They're fun, flattering and overall great quality.
Our Editors’ Go-To Brands For Flare Jeans
Flare jeans (also called bell bottoms) can be high or low rise (we’re especially loving the leg-lengthening high-rise right now), snug through the hips and thighs, then start flaring out at the knee (or thereabouts). We love the vintage vibe of this silhouette.
American Eagle
We love the super high-rise flares from American Eagle because they are SO versatile and hug all the right places. And generally, AE is definitely a reliable denim brand for us.
Good American
Good American has quickly become a denim staple for us. They have so many great options for all different body types. We especially love the Palazzo wide-leg Jeans!
MOTHER
MOTHER Denim has some of our all-time favorite jeans! The Tomcats, The Insider Step-Hem, and the Wide-Leg Super Cruiser. This brand seems to always nails different variations of wide-leg jeans and we are here for it!
Our Editors’ Go-To Brands For Bootcut Jeans
At this point, bootcut jeans are practically vintage. While most of us traded in our old bootcut jeans for skinnies long, long ago…there’s no doubt that this leg-lengthening silhouette is back (and maybe…better than ever.)
Liverpool
We love Liverpool because of their eco-friendly denim that’s soft, affordable, and so dang good! They meet our sustainability standards and offer numerous styles of wide-leg jeans + inclusive sizing.
PAIGE
PAIGE is dedicated to designing the pieces you'll live in. Just know that whatever jeans you purchase will last you a lifetime!
