How to recognise it
The legs are wide all the way down, almost as wide at the hem as at the thigh. Often high-waisted, front pleats, a pressed crease and a length to the sole of the shoe.
Where it comes from
In the 1930s Marlene Dietrich and Katharine Hepburn made wide trousers famous when women still rarely wore trousers. In the 1970s they returned to fashion.
Who and when it suits
They are elegant business trousers for the office, meetings and evenings. They lengthen the silhouette, especially with a high waist and heels.
Variations and look-alikes
They come pleated or flat-front, creased or not, in wool, linen, crepe or denim, high or mid rise. Suit trousers usually have a crease, summer linen ones are looser. They differ from palazzos in a firmer fabric and straighter line, and from baggy jeans in fitting at the hip.
How to style it
- A tucked-in top and belt mark the waist.
- Length to the sole, so the shoes barely show.
- With a blazer they make a suit.
Similar styles
Frequently asked
01Which shoes go with wide-leg pants?
Heels or platforms, loafers, or trainers for weekends; set the length for the shoes.
02Do wide-leg pants suit petite people?
Yes, with a high waist, one colour head to toe and heels.