Denim trends may come and go, but wide-leg jeans are a classic for a reason. Universally flattering, seriously comfortable, wonderfully versatile and effortlessly cool, they have been a wardrobe staple ever since the noughties, and their popularity is showing no signs of slowing, even as we move into summer.
Indeed, if the runways are anything to go by, there can be no doubt that wide-leg denim is set to be the style of the season – the more nostalgia-inducing, baggy, floor-pooling and voluminous, the better. Just look to the likes of Chloé, Acne, Loewe, Stella McCartney, Alaïa and Dior for proof.
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It's one thing spotting a trend on the runway, however, and entirely another to translate it into real life. For many of us, jeans remain a summer staple - we won't be parted from our denim - but how to style them for an extra 20 degrees of sunshine can be tricky. That's where we come in. Keep scrolling for ELLE UK's guide to how to style wide-leg jeans like a fashion insider, featuring street style looks to pin to your moodboard, fool-proof outfit formulas to follow, and, of course, the best pieces to shop.
6 Ways To Wear Wide Leg Jeans
The party top and pointy heels
Wide-leg jeans may not seem the obvious choice for a party-ready get-up, but that's precisely the point. The unexpected pairing of mid-wash, ultra-baggy denim with a sparkly top and epic pointy heels seems to be the ultimate cool girl style move right now – whether to tone down mega-watt pieces for a more casual environment, or to create enough of a contrast that all that bling doesn't look OTT. We particularly love how this street style star has layered a high-glam, crystal-encrusted mini-dress over blue jeans for the daytime – a styling hack borrowed from Gucci's SS24 runway show, and an excellent example of getting creative with your wardrobe. If you're not quite ready for the dress over jeans vibe, however, you can achieve a similarly stylish effect by opting for a sleek, longline top.
Miu Miu Slingbacks
Weekend Max Mara Flou Embroidered Satin Clutch
The waisted blazer
For a high-fashion twist on business casual, we love the high-low mix of baggy jeans and a structured blazer and it's perfect if your summer drinks go past the sun setting. Choose one that's nipped in at the waist to create a more feminine silhouette that contrasts with the ultra-roomy style beneath – either by way of drawstrings, corset details, a peplum, sash or adjustable belt back, all of which are in abundance this season. Complete the look with on-theme chunky loafers and a playful leopard-print bag for extra style points.
COS Wide-Leg Jeans
Aligne Waisted Blazer
Prada Medium Printed Leather Tote Bag
Gucci Chunky Loafers
The chunky statement knit
Off-white, wide-leg jeans provide the perfect low-key canvas for that chunky statement knit you've been struggling to style. And let's not pretend we might not continue to need knits as we move through the year here in the UK. Staying neutral on the bottom will allow any bright colours and bold textures to really sing, while also toning the whole look down – a styling essential if you want to steer clear of the 'eclectic' aesthetic. If your knit also features a strong shoulder or extreme puff sleeve, opt for a more rigid, sleek denim style to balance it out, and stick to minimal accessories, too.
Citizens of Humanity Ayla Mid-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans
Sabine Hoops Medium
Molly Goddard Sara Jumper
Double denim and colour pop accessories
Who doesn't love a Canadian tuxedo? Opt for a looser cut and matching washes when selecting your double denim ensemble this season to ensure the look is more cool than country, and add a few colour pop accessories in for good measure – whether that's bright pink trainers, a red cashmere foulard, tinted sunglasses, a bold beanie, or all of the above.
A Day's March Penny Denim Overshirt
A Day's March Lou Denim Trousers
The girly cardi and low-rise baggy jeans
Once again, the trick to styling wide-leg jeans like a pro is embracing contrast, and a ladylike buttoned-up cardi is about as far from the super-laid-back vibe of low-slung denim as you can get. If you can't quite stretch to a Chanel tweed jacket, look for something that a WASP might wear to a luncheon – and the more saccharine, the better. Think girly shades of powder-pink, preferably embellished with big gold buttons and pearls, bows, beads or sequins. Wear said cardi cropped with just a lacy bra underneath, and atop noughties-esque floor-pooling jeans that sit low enough on the waist to reveal a hint of hip. A country club mom could never.
Agolde Low Slung Baggy Jeans
Completedworks Earrings
The tucked-in shirt and suede accessories
Wide-leg jeans lend themselves perfectly to the current obsession with all things Western, particularly when paired with the season's trending brown suede accessories and ever-popular cowboy boots. The aforementioned Canadian tux is an obvious choice, but we're seriously into this street styler's more literal take on the trend that's giving OG Ralph Lauren energy but with a modern-day twist. Tuck an oversize chambray shirt into the waistband of a classic pair of blue baggies, cinch with a brown leather belt and top with a neck-tie, suede blazer and slouchy hobo bag to get the look.
With Nothing Underneath Shirt
Toteme Toteme Suede Hobo Bag
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Clementina Jackson is Acting Site Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, working across news and features, trends, e-commerce and SEO. She was previously Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health, and Acting Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, where she was named as a PPA 30 Under 30 award winner for her work on size inclusivity. An experienced fashion, travel and luxury lifestyle journalist, Clementina has also written for Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller, Tatler, Red and Italy Segreta.
