We’re celebrating Denim Week here at Dressed for My Day this week. We’re talking all things denim – what’s in style, how to style it and how to find the best fits for you. Today I thought we would tackle one of the blue jean silhouettes that is oh so popular, but sometimes tricky to wear. I’ve heard from many readers that you’d like to try the wide leg, full length jeans, but you don’t really know how to style them. It’s been a challenge for me, too. But I’ve done my homework and settled on a few keys to getting these jeans just right. So today I’m styling them several ways for now and later.
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I’m styling the high rise wide leg jeans in vintage wash from Loft in all of my outfits today. They do run true to size; I’m wearing an 8, as I normally do at Loft. But I did opt for the curvy fit edition of these jeans for a little more room in the hips and better fit at the waist. If you have an hourglass or triangle shape, the curvy fit my work best for you, too.
The jeans have a 12″ rise and a 30″ inseam, which is the sweet spot for me. They’re very soft and a little stretchy with 78% Cotton, 21% Lyocell, 1% Elastane. I’ll be sharing more about how to find the perfect jeans for you in a bonus Denim Week video on Saturday. The high rise wide leg jeans also come in petite sizes, and the curvy fit comes in petites, too.
Styling Key: Balance the Volume Proportions
First, I styled the wide leg, full length jeans with a slim fitting, striped tee with 3/4 length sleeves. These jeans are generally going to look best with a close fitting top to keep the outfit proportionate. Which proportions am I referring to? In your outfit it is best to have some of your outfit fitted and some of it more relaxed, especially if one of the pieces is very voluminous. So to balance the volume in the jeans, wear a more fitted top.
Styling Key: Consider tucking your top to define the waist.
Because these jeans are so voluminous, it’s wise to define the waist if at all possible. You can do that by wearing a slim fitting top and leaving it untucked. But I encourage you to try tucking your top, either partially of fully. In fact, a full tuck with a belt will do the best job of defining your waist. And with your waist defined you’ll look like you’re wearing the jeans instead of it appearing that these voluminous jeans are wearing you. Know what I mean?
Styling Key: If you do wear a trending oversized outer piece, keep your base layer close fitting.
Because I’m wearing a close fitting shirt, I felt comfortable opting for this oversized houndstooth blazer as a layering piece. You’ll see me style the jeans with a more fitted outer layer further down in the post. But I just wanted you to see that you absolutely can wear the wide leg, full length jeans with a looser fitting outer layer as long as the base layer fits fairly close. Again, tucking the top to define the waist helps keep the look balanced and neat, too.
Styling Key: Have your jeans hemmed to a length you can wear with several shoe options.
To complete this outfit I wore my platform sneakers. With about a 1″ platform they give me enough height to wear with these longer jeans. Remember, you’ll want to have your full length jeans of any style tailored to a chosen length to wear with specific shoes in your closet, so choose wisely. I can wear these wide leg, full length jeans with anything from a 1″ to 2″ heel, but not with flats or higher heels. That means I have dressier and more casual options. I’m wearing my Paul Greens from a couple of years ago, but these are a great economical option I found.
This is a fun, sporty look I would definitely wear to lunch with friends, for a day of exploring or a women’s event at church.
For another casual look I styled the wide leg, full length jeans with a simple white tee and my pink cashmere cropped cable knit vest.
Styling Key: Make sure you have simple tees in your favorite neutrals to wear your jean combinations this fall, too.
Remember, vests are really on trend. And they’re going to make a really nice topper for this style of jeans or pants because they don’t add a lot of volume or bulk. In fact, you can find some that fit closer to the body than this one even.
Styling Key: A slim fit jacket or cardigan will help balance the volume in your wide leg, full length jeans.
For my next look I still wore the basic white tee, but I chose to wear the wide leg, full length jeans with a more tailored fit blazer and block heel pumps. A slightly cropped fit blazer or one that is tailored to the body is definitely going to add a little polish to the look. Remember, defining the waist will help keep you from looking like these voluminous jeans are swallowing you up.
My cutaway style blazer is a Veronica Beard Miller dickey jacket from last year, and it’s no longer available, but I did see a couple on Poshmark. But Veronica Beard does have a scrumptious one in corduroy and a swoon-worthy tweed. I’ve linked to some more economical options in the shopping widget below.
It was definitely a challenge for me to style these wide leg, full length jeans. But that’s just how it goes when we incorporate a new silhouette into our wardrobes: we have to learn how to wear them stylishly. And that all takes a little bit of trying on with different things.
If you’re trying to style these wide leg, full length jeans or any other new silhouette, I encourage you to take your time, play around with different things in your closet, take some photos with your phone so you can see yourself a little more objectively and pay special attention to proportions, both in lengths and in volume. You’ve got this!
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Be sure to check out the other posts in our Denim Week series, including this post on styling wide leg cropped jeans and this one on three trends to try right now. On Saturday I’ll share a bonus video with How to Find Your Perfect Jeans. But don’t miss this week’s video on the Fall 2023 Denim Trends.
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Blessed for My Day
As we get older it’s easy to begin to feel like we don’t matter as much as we once did. Maybe we think that our best days are behind us, we don’t contribute as much as we used to or others just don’t notice us anymore. Maybe we feel a little invisible at times.
But the Bible assures us that we do not go unnoticed in the sight of God. In fact, He has the hairs on our heads numbered. Sure, we may not have as many hairs to number as we once did. But I bet He has every well-earned wrinkle numbered with His careful eye, too. Rest assured, dear sister. You are still valuable, you matter and you are precious in the sight of God. Now, step out the door and live like someone who matters.
Are five sparrows not sold for two assaria? And yet not one of them has gone unnoticed in the sight of God. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not fear; you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows. ~ Luke 12:6-7
Love all of your outfits with the jeans! Very classy and modern. Thanks for taking the time and trouble to figure out how to style them. I bought a pair of wide leg linen pants this summer and finally realized that I needed to tuck my shirts in for those to work. And I ened up with a shrug sweater that I had . Love the cropped vest you had.
Thanks so much for this post! It’s exactly what I needed to give some clarity on where to hem and how to style the wide leg jeans I just bought. I’ve been focusing on the length, but I realize now I’ll need to put more thought into what I wear on top, too (I hadn’t gotten that far LOL). And yesterday’s video gave me several “ah ha” moments–particularly on wearing light color tops with the lighter wash jeans. That little tip is going to help me feel better in those jeans! I so much appreciate posts like these! You’re the best!
Love the way you styled the wider jeans. I too have been hesitant to buy a pair because I’m not sure what to wear with them. Your post is very helpful. Love the Loft jeans! Will give your suggestions a try with some of the clothes I have in my closet. We’ll done!
Thank you Kay for such a helpful post! I know it was not easy but appreciate all the work you put into it. I bought some wide leg and straight leg jeans . Have to give it a try. Thanks!
Wonderful ideas, Kay! I just ordered dark wash wide leg high rise jeans from Talbots and I can’t wait to try them with my close fitting Chanel style jacket. I almost gave it away. I have a few other pieces that will look great with my new jeans that I wasn’t wearing. I love your style tips and tucking in my tops has been the greatest one. I always felt I looked thinner with a shirt covering my waist, and now I find the opposite is true!
‘PS I ordered a midi jeans skirt after your post as well. I feel “modern” already and they haven’t even arrived yet. Your tips are great for a girl’s confidence!
Kay…your denim week is wonderful. I especially enjoyed today’s post on styling the full leg jeans. I may get brave enough to try them with your instructive and encouraging advice. Thank you very much!
Great post. I’m following your advice on how to wear my wide leg pants and jeans. Maybe it’s because I wore them back in the day but I just love this style. You look so stylish in your outfits.