If you’re looking to perk up your wardrobe with a fresh sewing project that’s classic yet totally on trend, look no further than the wide leg pant. There are so many great ways to wear these babies that are both trendy and timeless. Click through to see some fun styling options, as well as a few of the fantastic and diverse ways BurdaStyle members created their own versions!
Whether you work in a conservative or a creative environment, you can find a wide leg pant that’s appropriate for either situation. If you’re in a more traditional office space, opt for dark, sharply tailored pants while creative types can play around with color, pattern and waist (super high for a 70’s look, or lower for a more relaxed feel).
Trousers (used throughout) by Nicole Farhi, jacket by Alexander McQueen, shoes from Topshop, bag by Bally, earrings by Maria Black, rings by Gara Danielle, necklace by Kenneth Jay Lane, top by Equipment.
Take your trousers from cubicles to cocktails with a few simple changes. A slinky top, sky-high shoes and fun accessories are a great way to dress up your wide leg pants. How would you glam up these trousers?
Top from All Saints, earrings from Charm and Chain, bangles by John Hardy, drape cardigan by Liberty of London, clutch from Yes Style, shoes from Make Me Chic.
Spend a lazy Sunday scoping vintage finds at an outdoor flea market in wide legs, a soft top and comfy sneakers. Grab an oversized tote and throw on a straw fedora to complete the look.
Top by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, shoes by Converse, straw tote by Talbots, fedora from Nordstrom.
Need more inspiration? Wide leg trousers have been popping up all over the place in a range of different styles…
On the Runways….
From left: Spring 2011 looks from Dries Van Noten, Cynthia Rowley, Derek Lam and Adam.
In the Magazines…
Raquel Zimmerman in US Vogue.
In the Stores…
J.Crew pants via Net-a-Porter, Zara Spring 2011 lookbook.
Funny how they both styled the pants with sailor stripes. What tops would you wear with these pants?
These BurdaStyle members took on the wide leg trouser challenge. What do you think of their finished garments?
From left: missdandy’s 70s Wide Leg Pants, francini’s Last Bit of Summer Pants and oonaballoona’s One Two Punch Pants.
Are you a fan of the wide leg pant trend? Do you plan on making a pair of these breezy pants for Summer?
All mood boards done via Polyvore
Sep 27, 2011, 10.03 AMby mr4ma
Wide-leg pants are very comfortable and nice looking in the same time. Awesome post! can’t wait to try them.
May 26, 2011, 02.02 PMby Nicole Nolan
I hope to make these in a sand washed silk (or something that looks similar) after one of Evan Rachel Wood’s outfits in Mildred Pierce. http://www.hitfix.com/galleries/new-images-from-hbos-mildred-pierce#2 Can’t see the full pant in this shot, but they have an overall feel very like something Marlene Dietrich would wear.
May 26, 2011, 01.31 PMby kaitw
Great post! I think wide leg trousers create such a nice silhouette. I can’t wait to try out this pattern!
May 26, 2011, 12.33 AMby anns
I love wide leg trousers, they are so flattering and make you look like you have effortless style. I think this is the spread from the mag with the ‘aviator’ styling – bomber jacket, silk blouse, these wide leg trousers (and I loved them all, so I saved that issue to sew). I love the styling here, too, so versatile. I just wish I had a gallery opening to go to wear that collage.
May 25, 2011, 04.51 PMby themisslinds
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions guys! I will be updating the article asap.
May 25, 2011, 02.40 PMby PaintonLily
Love wide leg pants! Always make me think of the classic styles from the Bogey and Bacall, Audrey Hepburn, and Kathrine Hepburn. Loved Madonna in them!
May 25, 2011, 01.26 PMby gingerblue
So good to see styling that’s actually wearable for the average woman. Well done. And I agree that linking to the member profiles would be great. I would love to see more inspiration of how regular people interpret the patterns.
May 25, 2011, 08.42 AMby possiblymaybeviolentlyhappy
OH MY GORGEOUSNESS! Im a huge fan of wide leg trousers- biased as my rather generous calves never really allowed me to embrace the skinny pant. They are elegant, sophisticated anhd funky. And so very flattering. Balances wide hips and a full bust. I love the styling of all of the 3 looks. So veratile. Yay!
May 25, 2011, 08.11 AMby purplecords
I have always loved wide leg pants, in fashion or not, glad they are back again! I definately need a new pair…
May 25, 2011, 08.11 AMby purplecords
I have always loved wide leg pants, in fashion or not, glad they are back again! I definately need a new pair…
May 25, 2011, 06.26 AMby callibea
Love love love the pants with the long pleats – would love to find that pattern – great job :o)
May 25, 2011, 06.09 AMby 10ashus
Thank you for showing the pant as a complete outfit and put together for different social settings. Even though I am not tall and not skinny, your article has inspired me to try sewing the wide leg pant.
May 25, 2011, 05.02 AMby andi-1
It’s for me!
May 24, 2011, 11.48 PMby choctawcharli
LOOOOOOve the Wide leg pants! Can’t wait to hit the stash closet and dig out some fabric that I know has been there just w-a-i-t-i-n-g for these pants! Oh, that embroidered denim is gonna love being those pants!
May 24, 2011, 10.11 PMby raving
LOVELOVE this trend. I found a pair of narrow striped, light blue and white denim, very high waisted, wide leg trousers at a charity shop for a bargain price. I had to hem them a little but they’re wonderful. I throw them on with a floral blouse, some flat brogues and a vintage satchel, maybe a blazer/cardigan if it’s chilly in the morning and a boater hat. If I can find the perfect dark denim wash I want to make myself a second pair, I have a great pattern from a Burda magazine from 2009.
May 24, 2011, 01.03 PMby YarnUiPhoneApp
Wide-leg pants always make me thing of swing dancing…I made a pair from cotton twill years ago and it was great for lindy hop. Always looked properly retro with a sailor striped top. I got rid of those pants..I think they might have ripped or something. But I ought to make another pair in white. Just for this summer! At least something in white to go with my crochet granny square tunic which is almost done.
May 23, 2011, 07.41 PMby oonaballoona
hey, that’s me!! :). i’m n love with missdandy’s pleats, i’m trying that next….
1 Reply
May 24, 2011, 03.41 PMby mitmit
Love your pants! They are gorgeous! :-)
May 23, 2011, 02.30 PMby elisabetsy
Love them! and love the nautical theme/sailor pant trend. I have some from last time they were popular that I put back into rotation. Love them with a platform shoe and well fitted top or sheer flowy top like the “gallery opening” look. Though I like it, I have to be careful about the sneaker look or I would look really short and wide! I think a downfall of this look is that it can look sloppy especially if the hem is too long.
May 23, 2011, 09.19 AMby ichigogirl
Great article! If I could wish for one more thing, it would be to know who designed all the featured clothes (I think the designers deserve to be mentioned, too).
I own a pair of authentic US navy wide legged sailor-pants, just like the ones Raquel Zimmerman wears in US Vogue (the navy/black ones to the right). They´re fabulously nice, I get compliments every time I wear them (once in a really fancy, trendy shop, the shop-attendant stared at me and eventually asked about them).
I’d LOVE to make another pair, I got some baby blue denim (a remnant) this weekend that I intend to make a summer version from.
If I can manage to find the time that is (my ever present problem)! Fingers crossed. If I do I’ll post them here (of course).
For me, it’s really important that wide legged pants are fitted around the waist/bum, and that the legs are straight cut, possibly flaired but not with curved seams but straight. I find that on me that’s the key to a flattering shape.
1 Reply
May 25, 2011, 06.08 AMby 10ashus
Thank you for the flattering fit tips. I have always liked the style, but I always worried it would look sloppy on my stocky body shape.
May 23, 2011, 03.39 AMby loyl8
i own a few pair of wide leg and I love them. I would really like to make a print or a pair of red ones maybe some in white for summer
May 22, 2011, 11.35 AMby varenoea
They’re great. They look good on really every body shape.
May 21, 2011, 01.50 PMby wzrdreams
I love the wide leg trouser look, and sadly I do not own any… I will have to address that issue soon. This is a great post. I love the examples that you’ve pulled for it.
Comment: What about suggestions for fabrics and links directly to the member projects? I tried to search for the project titles and got nothing. I had to search for the member name and then go to their studios to find them.
May 21, 2011, 10.35 AMby sabrina
I don’t like wearing wide leg trousers; they make too much noise as I walk. I’d rather wear a full skirt. If any trousers or jeans, it has to be stretch bootleg for me.
May 21, 2011, 08.55 AMby fashionfreek
These pants were in over ten years. I remember owning a few back then and wearing them to work. Also just recently i digged out a unfinished pair that i made a few years back. They fit me fine and i just sorted out the hem. Who says fashion is dead..it comes back round:-)
May 21, 2011, 03.53 AMby bluebetty
I am starting to fall in love with this trend and can’t wait to try my hand at sewing a pair. It’s so refreshing to see such an interesting style revamped.
May 20, 2011, 05.43 PMby nettie
I LOOOVE wide leg pants and have two vintage patterns (and a couple of Burda Mag ones) to choose from. I admit that I am nervous about tackling them, though. These looks make me want to get over it, STAT.