Hands up if you’ve tried on a pair of flares without feeling a little Donna from That ‘70s Show. Or worse, your mom from the ‘70s IRL.
We’re going to take that deafening e-silence as proof: the wide-leg pant is one of those tricky trends usually best left to thee of Joan Smalls proportions. But since we’ve spotted sidewalk-grazing denim and triangular trousers on the likes of five-foot-one Eva Longoria and the forever-billowy Olsens, we (reluctantly) decided it was about time we traded in our twig jeans for something a little more large and in charge.
It’s a rare breed who’s managed to master the wide-leg, so first we polled a few breezy-ankle proponents on how they do it without looking like one of those Barbie cone cakes. Here’s how Rachael Wang, Jayne Min and Pandora Sykes style XXL bottoms (hint: it’s all in the shoes).
—Chelsey Burnside
We’re going to take that deafening e-silence as proof: the wide-leg pant is one of those tricky trends usually best left to thee of Joan Smalls proportions. But since we’ve spotted sidewalk-grazing denim and triangular trousers on the likes of five-foot-one Eva Longoria and the forever-billowy Olsens, we (reluctantly) decided it was about time we traded in our twig jeans for something a little more large and in charge.
It’s a rare breed who’s managed to master the wide-leg, so first we polled a few breezy-ankle proponents on how they do it without looking like one of those Barbie cone cakes. Here’s how Rachael Wang, Jayne Min and Pandora Sykes style XXL bottoms (hint: it’s all in the shoes).
—Chelsey Burnside
Pandora Sykes
Fashion Features Editor at The Sunday Times Style
ON PREFERRED LENGTH:
"Cropped! Am short."
ON HOW TO STYLE:
"I do think there are hard if you aren't narrow, I've gotta be honest. But I think with a high ankle boot and a longer-line belted jacket."
ON THE DESIGNERS TO LOOK FOR:
"I like Rachel Comey's denim ones and I have a great cropped denim pair by Hobbs, a UK high street brand."
"Cropped! Am short."
ON HOW TO STYLE:
"I do think there are hard if you aren't narrow, I've gotta be honest. But I think with a high ankle boot and a longer-line belted jacket."
ON THE DESIGNERS TO LOOK FOR:
"I like Rachel Comey's denim ones and I have a great cropped denim pair by Hobbs, a UK high street brand."
ON THE KEY SHOES:
"Gucci horsebit ankle boots."
ON WHAT NOT TO DO:
"Flat shoes are very difficult unless you are tall—BIG no no for me! And I would say baggy jumpers are difficult, too."
"Gucci horsebit ankle boots."
ON WHAT NOT TO DO:
"Flat shoes are very difficult unless you are tall—BIG no no for me! And I would say baggy jumpers are difficult, too."
Jayne Min
Blogger, Stop it Right Now
ON EXPERIMENTING:
"I don't discriminate when it comes to wide-legged trousers. I appreciate all styles—cropped, long, pleated, cuffed—the wider the better."
ON EXACTLY HOW TO WEAR:
"I like to wear wide-legged trousers two ways: 1. with a fitted top or jacket that hits at the waist, or 2. with a loose top or coat falls that below the hips."
ON THE DESIGNERS TO GO FOR:
"I have a giant satin pair from Adam Lippes that I love and a great patchwork leather pair from Rodebjer, and I'm super excited for a grey flannel pair from Sechung that should be mine any day now."
"I don't discriminate when it comes to wide-legged trousers. I appreciate all styles—cropped, long, pleated, cuffed—the wider the better."
ON EXACTLY HOW TO WEAR:
"I like to wear wide-legged trousers two ways: 1. with a fitted top or jacket that hits at the waist, or 2. with a loose top or coat falls that below the hips."
ON THE DESIGNERS TO GO FOR:
"I have a giant satin pair from Adam Lippes that I love and a great patchwork leather pair from Rodebjer, and I'm super excited for a grey flannel pair from Sechung that should be mine any day now."
ON THE PERFECT SHOE:
"I personally like the no feet look with heels or heeled boots so you get some leg length. Or with sneakers, but I make sure the toe shows a bit."
ON NOT FOLLOWING THE RULES:
"I personally don't like a lot of bulk up top with wide-legged bottoms, but really there's no rule. If you want to wear them, be free to enjoy them however you want. Who needs rules!"
"I personally like the no feet look with heels or heeled boots so you get some leg length. Or with sneakers, but I make sure the toe shows a bit."
ON NOT FOLLOWING THE RULES:
"I personally don't like a lot of bulk up top with wide-legged bottoms, but really there's no rule. If you want to wear them, be free to enjoy them however you want. Who needs rules!"
Rachael Wang
Fashion Market Director, Style.com
ON WHAT WORKS IN A PHOTO VS. IRL:
"I love the look and idea of an oversized wide-leg trouser that pools around your sneakers or moroccan slippers but this really only works in a photo. The way that I actually wear wide-legged trousers is cropped to about an inch above the ankle bone."
ON STYLING:
"Honestly, I love the full on oversized look. I tend to wear full-cut pants with a loose silky blouse (not tucked-in) or a cozy oversized sweater. It's quite flattering to add a cropped and fitted jacket or blazer. The most important thing is to show those bare ankles."
ON THE LABELS TO LOOK FOR:
"I love Chloe, Junya Watanabe, Rochas and Tibi for wide trousers."
"I love the look and idea of an oversized wide-leg trouser that pools around your sneakers or moroccan slippers but this really only works in a photo. The way that I actually wear wide-legged trousers is cropped to about an inch above the ankle bone."
ON STYLING:
"Honestly, I love the full on oversized look. I tend to wear full-cut pants with a loose silky blouse (not tucked-in) or a cozy oversized sweater. It's quite flattering to add a cropped and fitted jacket or blazer. The most important thing is to show those bare ankles."
ON THE LABELS TO LOOK FOR:
"I love Chloe, Junya Watanabe, Rochas and Tibi for wide trousers."
ON ALTERNATIVE FOOTWEAR OPTIONS:
"I love them with slides, mules and chunky sandals."
ON FORGETTING THE RULES (SERIOUSLY THO):
"I don't believe in rules. Fashion is meant to be fun!"
"I love them with slides, mules and chunky sandals."
ON FORGETTING THE RULES (SERIOUSLY THO):
"I don't believe in rules. Fashion is meant to be fun!"