Mule Shoes: For a modern and casual look, pair your wide leg pants outfit with mule shoes. On the other hand, what is your go to style of pant? When wearing wide-leg dress pants, you want the hem to fall just shy of brushing the floor. Especially love the tips on (and how you pull off) the flare crop! We should wear jeans as long as we look good in them. 5. But most fashion blogs chirpily opine that one should simply roll up or cuff one’s skinnies either to the top of the ankle boot or bootie or an inch or so above… and leave one’s ankles bare. Spending the morning picking out stitches to hem up two pair of slacks. Yes, they are not the easiest to wear but they are definitely the hippest right now, Your email address will not be published. I am not one to worry about the fall of the hem of my pants. Description. This length will keep them from dragging but will give a modern, clean look. I just read that women should stop wearing jeans at 50 yrs. I love a pair of wide leg pants. Thank you! Additionally, keep your pants legs straight or slightly tapered, as wide-leg capri styles will make you look shorter. I don’t understand exactly where you mean on skinnies. 1-With a Looser Sweater 2-With a Tucked in Top 3-With a Monochromatic Top Tied at the Side 4-With a Sweatshirt 5-With a Short Cardigan. Classic cut. Wardrobe Oxygen is a professional blog that makes money through collaborations with brands. Support 40+style by using the links in our articles to shop. Keep them as long as possible, plus try to find the ones with a high waist. Both can work. However, if you desire a longer pant and the fabric works you can go longer. To achieve this leg-lengthening look without sullying the bottom of your pant legs, aim to have the hems hang ½ to ¾ of an inch from the ground. I take my pants to my dry cleaner to hem because when I have tried on my own they have never been even no matter how many times I measure. Great info, love your blog! Basically, your ankles should always be covered. Not overly wide. Tip= Since these are wide leg pants you cannot do a wide hem without having to also take in the side seams so I decided to keep it a 1” hem instead of a 2” wide hem. If these pants are too long, they can overwhelm you, and too short wide-leg pants can make your legs look shorter. When you try on pants, the protocol for assessing rather fit can be rather quick, even if the list seems long. Your pants should swish along as you walk, but you shouldn’t be tripping over them or fraying the bottoms. I’m obsessed and they would look amazing with these pants. You can also connect with 40+style on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. It comes down to your personal preference . But with wide leg pants, it’s a completely different story. Thank you for the informative instructions. Required fields are marked *. The general fashion insider perspective for the right length is generally 1 inch above the ankle. A wise friend told me to maybe hem one or two pairs for now, but the longer length will work once I reached third trimester. And by the way!!! Maybe I will just take to my tailor/dry cleaner…. Wide leg or sailor pants are meant to run a little longer, just like the bootcut and flare. While the first measure is between 26 and 48 and indicates the waistband, the second measure is between 30 and 36 and reflects stride length. Want to get more articles from 40+style in your inbox, subscribe here. Wide leg jeans and pants, and extreme flares look best with a longer length. When I first saw them, I automatically knew I had to have them because they’re fun, unique, comfortable AND have … How should one wear ankle boots with jeans? Your email address will not be published. Tall and slim profiles tend to be able to wear a very baggy style well, however, it is recommended that you select a minimally loose fit to give off the chic and casual vibe. They’re also versatile and can look perfect as an off duty look when paired with a simple white tee or dressed up with a cami or silk blouse. Remember to wear the relevant accessories with them, such as a shirt, belt, braces, socks, and shoes, so that you can determine not only if they fit well but also if they suit the desired ensemble and the other items you’ll wear with them. Just don’t go too short, a straight pant can easily look like a too-long ankle pant or “highwaters” when too short. Can you also comment on maxi dress lengths? Wide leg pants are a statement in and of themselves. Of one’s boots? They should end at the top of the ankle, but if they gather or pool a bit it’s okay. As a guideline, the hem of your wide leg pants should be no longer than 1/4″-1/2″ above the floor and should be no shorter than 3″ above the floor. Style Snaps can also be found on Amazon and I know many women who have and love them. 2 items left Color. Top of the ankle is where? All well-known manufacturers use two measurements: waistband to get the width and length of inseam/legs. An ankle pant should never be skimming your shoe, no matter the style of footwear there should be skin between them and your hem. Or will I look like I’m stuck in the seventies? To understand more about how we use cookies, or to change your preferences and browser settings, please see our, Spring Forward in Pink, Fuchsia, Lilac, and …. These trousers can actually make its wearer look sophisticated and make her very chic and super feminine. Perfect timing too as I am going through my seasonal closet switch and there is much consider. 2. An elongated or pointed toe is a nice touch and makes the shoe look more professional and is sure to peek out from your pant hem. We included highwaist pants in this post, as they can be found in a vast number of styles, cuts, and looks. Always launder a pair of pants before altering them. Here’s the ideas I came up with on how to wear wide leg pants. One of the most popular questions I get from readers is what is the proper length to hem pants? TOP TIPS ON HOW TO STYLE WIDE LEG PANTS. I love the look you wear with the bootcut jeans. Wtf? I just knew to go to the web version, but I thought to tell you in case you didn’t know. With such a wide pant it’s better to not wear them past 3/4 length (just above the knee) as so much fabric till tend to swamp even a tall frame. This means that clicking on and purchasing through a link may earn me a small commission. If they shrink they’ll look like high-waters! I’m an older woman I don’t care what the styles are I just wear what I want. Though my love for this style came right away, a swift learning curve did not. I will try the shorter wide leg trousers but in my opinion you need to have a fitted top or tuck your top in giving you a waist. I am SO AFRAID to hem pants!! I sent a follow-up email apologizing and offering the correct link but from what I am reading it went into spam folders. No problem and I’m glad you were aware. I have been known to buy the same jeans and have one pair tailored for flats and the other for heels. Opt for a shoe with a heel. Commit the following to memory, the goal of skinny pant legs is for a clean, ankle bone length look. It won’t really work if your pants are hemmed for 6 inch heels….but more modest lengths will work. You don’t want to just cut and hem; some fabrics you’ll want bias tape. I have trouble getting Stitch Witchery to adhere properly without burning my fingers. It may seem excessive, but it may prevent you from destroying your favorite pants or buying “not quite right” pants. Tailor your pants while wearing a heel height you will always be wearing with those specific pair of pants. Since 2005, Wardrobe Oxygen has offered real-life style advice for grown-ass women. Okay, no, it’s ten below. I have square shoulders and love to wear blazers and boot cut jeans. Very helpful. If the hem covers the entire front of the foot and makes the wearer appear to be footless, they are too long. With years of experience as an apparel visual merchandiser and personal shopper, Alison Gary provides advice on how to achieve personal style no matter your age, size, or budget. Too long of trousers and the effect is sloppy, too short and you can ruin the line of your look. They’re perfect because they flatter everyone’s shape and size as long as you find the one that fits. Unless the pants or jeans are ankle length they rarely work with both flats and heels. Karin is very tall (around 6 foot) so has the height to wear wide leg pants with longer tops, dresses or coats. A structured flat, meaning a shoe that keeps its shape even if your foot isn’t in it. Also because they are to be shorter, they can work equally well with heels and flats. As you can see in the pictures above, the best looks from jeans to dark trousers are kept that distance above the ankle. The ultimate checklist of wardrobe essentials: which 33 essential pieces do you need in your closet? Wide Leg Pants Are Back In Style And This Is How To Wear Them. Which length will look better on me; hem above or below the ankle bone? This length will keep them from dragging but will give a modern, clean look. When wearing wide-leg pants, it is important to wear a top that isn’t too baggy, as you’ll just end up looking like a … I’ve found that for my shape and height it’s easier to wear sneakers with wide-leg pants when the pants are cropped than when they are full-length. This post was originally published in 2016, and updated for a new decade with new products and style trends. Sabina. If you know you need to hem a lot from a bootcut or flare jean, I recommend going with petite or trying a different style as you may end up losing or ruining the actual silhouette with the alterations. Your advise will be much appreciated. When wearing pumps, only the front of your shoe should be showing. The top I’m wearing is quite short too and tailored even though it’s not so apparent on the images. The lengths of these ankle pants are shorter than the norm by about four to six inches depending on your height, and of course, tapered for extra structure. They ARE difficult to style. If you continue to use our website, we assume that you are happy for us to do this. The Scotch brand has adjustable hem tape that is easily removable and only around $5. Too often women attempt to turn straight leg pants into a skinny leg style. I personally love wider pants which can be a very good choice of trousers for many women over 40. High waist pants are built to highlight your true waist (which is higher). Replies to my comments That makes your legs look a mile long. You don’t have to wear every pant style Greetje. In this article, you will find plenty of tips on how to wear wide leg pants with some fabulous wide leg pants outfit inspiration. I pride myself on honesty and transparency and partner with brands that I like, use, and find a smart fit for Wardrobe Oxygen. For these, you almost want your shoe hidden; the back of the pants or jeans should be ¼” off the floor. Yes good idea. Do you ever hem pants on an angle so there’s a slight break in the front but not too short in the back? You want to cover the top of your feet. 1 1/2 heel. Also taking a pair in at the waist, because they actually fell down one day. Seeing nearly every retailer and fashion-influencer displaying these elegant wide-leg pants has me excited about giving up my skinny-jeans and trying a new look. This is enough to be sure you don’t step on them, there’s usually a bit of a “break” (when the drape has a bend near the hem), and they have great drape. You definitely need to be aware of scale with wide-leg pants. These are also great to be paired with sandals. No matter what shoes you wear though, your jeans should skim the ground. For more tips on how to wear wide cropped pants check out this article. Bootcut pants or jeans are fitted through the thighs and flare out slightly from knee to hem. Fortunately there are enough styles left. or what? What flatters my figure best are typically structured, straight, and form-fitting clothing (i.e., straight-leg jeans, fit-and-flare skirts, sheath dresses, and tailored tops). The pant should end somewhere around the ankle bone; I find being short with thick legs I do better near the bottom of the ankle bone, while someone with thin or long legs may like a shorter pant. It seems like all my pants really need this. This will give you a good indication of how long they will be when you put your shoes on. Again, I recommend sticking to around the same height of heels so you can easily mix and match pants and shoes. Excellent article. Avoid jeans that are too long, as they create a huge break (also known as stacking) and look sloppy. Terrific article Sylvia. I am afraid you are going to see a bunched pair of skinnies on my blog today Sylvia. Three heights for me, so I stay perpetually confused – flats, low boot, and heels. Cropped pants with a bootcut or slightly flared leg can be a challenge to select and wear stylishly. Great guide! What Length Should Your Plus Size Wide Leg Pants Be? Every season, it seems that ankle pants are a different length. I am petite 5ft 1inch and have a slim boyish figure. Instead of replacing all your suits and trousers, if you maintain this larger size consider buying a pair or two of shoes with a heel an inch shorter. You should always get your pants hemmed while wearing the shoes you plan on wearing with them. As an associate for Amazon and many other brands, we receive a small commission (at no cost to you) on qualifying purchases which enables us to keep creating amazing free content for you. Esp important if the pants shrink in the second/third washing – etc. It stops the backs of pants from getting stepped on, but is subtle and doesn’t leave marks or creases in the pants. A straight, slightly wide, faintly bootcut, or menswear-inspired pant, whether it is part of a suit or a pair of ponte knit you wear on the weekends the back of the trousers should be ½” off the floor. I like to cut as little as possible in case of errors, shrinking, etc. Wear a tall sock matching the color of one’s pants? For these, you almost want your shoe hidden; the back of the pants or jeans should be ¼” off the floor. I’ve been thinking about emailing in a question, but I may as well ask here since we’re more or less on a related topic. The goal is to have as much of your shoe hidden by your pant leg as possible, without dragging on the floor (which can both shorten your entire length and the life of your investment). Take the length into account. How Pants Should Fit. To look polished, it’s even more important for those of us who are soft and overweight to be aware of hems and proportion. Ideally the pant should hit at your ankle or a few inches higher (not mid-calf, unless they are purposefully cropped). How is that different from ankle pants, which I thought were shorter, yet you say they can go down anywhere along the ankle bone? I struggle with this every winter. Home » Style » What is the correct hem length for pants? Are you aiming for a cropped style or full length? Any longer and you look like you are wearing ill-fitting high waters (not too flattering). This way, you can switch around shoes while your pants still hang correctly. But so many jeans aren’t truly skinny all the way to the bottom hem and “blouse” unattractively if tucked into shorter boots or booties. We use cookies on our website to enhance your browsing experience. When I state classic trousers, these are work pants that aren’t fitted, not overly wide of a leg, no flared bottom, or cropped style. Pants that are too long are often wide-legged or flared, like these pairs of jeans. Also, having someone else do it you’ll get a more accurate length with your shoes because you’re standing upright. One with a proper sole and maybe a tiny sliver of a heel to show it’s a shoe and not a slipper. This will get a better feel for how the pants actually hang on you and will ensure a proper length hem. Wardrobe Oxygen uses affiliate links. Here are the best shoes to go with wide leg pants. How to Wear Wide Leg Pants. If you have only been wearing heels with wide leg pants, then it’s time to upgrade your outfit with the right pair of shoes. I have that same problem. You should be ok then. The above hem guidelines should work no matter your size, height, or figure. If you would prefer to stick with one pair of pants (I don't blame you), consider an ankle-length with a straight leg. Wide-Leg Pants: A How-to-Wear Guide Tip #1: Purchase a pair in a neutral color like grey, black, white, cream, camel, olive or navy. The Universal Standard Denim Drive is Back. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, you should really consider wide leg pants as a part of your holiday ensemble. Near the bottom of the ankle, before your foot starts is a good point for the hem. Cityclips are another alternative that temporarily clip up your hems. Since straight length pants won’t always fit over shoes and don’t “break” well when longer, they can be shorter than other styles of pants. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hollywood Fashion Secrets also has a version that is less than $10. These, more often than not, require a heel and should fall to the floor regardless of your height. This green velvet pair from ModCloth is a whole new ball game. I go through stages right now I’m into western style booties. You can also subscribe without commenting. (It’s possible I’m overthinking all this, but with taller boots more or less out of style, I’m at a loss.). These are two very different styles for a reason and straight leg pants look the most flattering when they are worn below the ankle bone. In this two part post we take away the mystery of just how long and short the length of your pants should be. We recommend an inseam no less than 21 inches. Of course it would be best to try these pants with the shoes that you plan to wear them with. The correct length of a pair of pants, like a well-made martini, is a question of proportion. More than 2″ can look wonky; lighter-weight fabrics can sometimes handle 3″. No, you can’t wear the same length with flats and heels, so decide how you’ll likely wear your pants and commit for each pair of pants. When trying them on without shoes, the hem of your pants should rest comfortably on the floor. To show these are ankle pants and not too-short straight or skinny pants, you need to show some skin. Of course the length of your pants is always important but with wide-leg pants the right length can make the look (and the wrong length can definitely break it). When brands pay to be featured on this site, a post will state at the very beginning that it is sponsored and name the brand. This is a great guide, thanks! And specifically, how should one wear ankle boots with straight or skinny jeans when it’s really, really cold? I do feel that it’s more flattering to not have any skin showing between your pant hem and shoe; while slim women can have a bit of foot show with work trousers and pumps, it’s a cleaner look to have a continuous line from waist to floor. The fact that so many pant styles are in vogue, makes getting them right extremely confusing. In heels or flats, aim for a length that is 1/2 inch from the floor. A hem seam is an invisible one too, which is tough to do on your own. If you’re feeling the need to tread lightly, go for a neutral shade like these in tan, black or chocolate with a slightly more narrow leg. No way. Will do. This is a style that will work with a 3″ pump, a kitten heel bootie that slips under the hem, or even your favorite pair of sneakers. Over the last 1-2 years I’ve developed a deep affinity for wide leg pants. Skinnies are the easiest. Your email address will not be published. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you. I’m considering getting some cropped flare pants (or maybe cropped wide legged pants), but I want to make sure I get it right! When wearing wide leg styles, you want to go for a longer look. How stupid is that! They shouldn’t keep shrinking after one wash, if so you should be washing in a different manner (no dryer, gentle cycle or dry clean). To the commuter question: I wear a pair of dress socks with my flats, fold the socks them over at the ankle, fold the bottom of my pants under and catch the hem of the pants in the fold of the socks at the back only. From ankle pants to wide leg jeans, let’s explore the most flattering hems. Universal Rules for Capris Capris work for all women and body types, but you must be careful in choosing the correct length for your height and body type. But of course, if crop top isn´t your thing, you can always team the pants with a t-shirt or a blouse (preferbly black) to go with the pants. 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Look best with a length closer to your web site every time I have square shoulders and them... To check out your picks here essential pieces do you need in your inbox, subscribe here thank... In vogue, makes getting them right extremely confusing the wide-leg pant trend be... And not a slipper your go to the web version, but they. Know works best capris and cropped pants check out your picks here these are pants!, low boot, and too short to hem pants the ideas I came with. How these partnerships work into a skinny leg style type you can switch around shoes while your pants hemmed wearing. Oxygen has offered real-life style advice for grown-ass women leg styles, you want to go long! New Products and style trends it ’ s the ideas I came up with on how to wear pant... But these days even hemlines get caught up in fashion trends a pointed shoes with heels remedied shouldn. Tiny sliver of a heel to show these are also great to be aware of scale with pants! 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