Help styling wide leg trousers

[Apple2023]

Please can I have some help styling wide leg trousers. I’ve found a pair I really like but I just don’t seem to be able to style them correctly.

• how would you style them for the day time (ie lunch or a shopping trip)?

• how would you style them for dinner and drinks?

Thank you!

I got smart white leather trainers for daily wear (and work but this might be too informal for most people) I wear fitted/ stretch tops

Always trainers.

And I wear with a thin fitting merino top or a me&em style blouse tucked in.

@Droolylabradors and @NewDogOwner

Thank you so much, that’s really helpful. I think I need some new tops, as the things in my wardrobe just do not work with the looser silhouette of wide leg trousers.

Can I check I’m on the right track with these please:-

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-merino-wool-crew-neck-jumper/p/clp60614225?color=IVORY#intid=pid_pg1pip22g2r3c1|prodflag_New

https://www.meandem.com/silk-cotton-lace-trim-blouse-soft-white

https://mintvelvet.com/products/grey-layering-crew-neck-top?channable=0504cf696400343433313031323631303036333967&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=17803935044&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAuYuvBhApEiwAzq_YiYJ59a3sBZq_fN7c346y_nuvAz2g-vKodXTu_RkdqhQ4S_iteZw4sxoC18gQAvD_BwE

But what does ‘correctly’ mean? I’ve definitely missed that memo. Can you not just try them with everything you have and see what feels right / looks good in your mirror?

Obviously this is S&B but there are countless ways a pair of trousers can be worn - some would suggest wide legs need a tighter top half, but plenty of websites show wide trousers with an equally wide top. Each perfectly acceptable depending only on how you want to look.

Eg:

https://serenabutelondon.com/products/relaxed-wide-leg-trouser-pale-pink

https://apresparis.it/products/red-plaid-cotton-shirt

https://www.closed.com/women/hosen/cyy971-32k-22-568.html

I was always told one tight thing, one loose thing. So I wear the only wide leg trousers I possess (black velvet from Monsoon, so more eveningy than work wear) with a very fitted white shirt, and, occasionally, a black velvet waistcoat. I like the androgynous look.

@Apple2023 fhats exactly the vibe I go with.

Except the M&S merino tops are awful quality, I had one that didn't last one season.

I buy j Crew tippi merino off Ebay. But that's a personal prefeence!

There's a lady I work with who wears hers with a buttoned up white shirt, a loose swing top over and big chunky jewellery which looks fab.

Thank you!

Thanks for the heads up about the quality of the M&S tops too!

Yes, I wear tight fitted tops and trainers with mine. It's a really comfortable but smart look I think.

I agree with StrangeNew. It depends what look you are going for e.g. everyday casual, work, evening?

It depends on the material of the trousers. Flowing silky material will need a similar style top. Heavy denim can be paired with wool etc.

It also depends on your weight and size. Fitted polos look great (imo) with wide leg trousers but if you're an apple shape or have a big chest, then that won't work. If your hips are wide, then looser style tops won't be flattering either as it will make your overall wide silhouette wide and blocky.

that apres paris link is hilarious. Something tells me the op will not be adopting that look

that apres paris link is hilarious. Something tells me the op will not be adopting that look

Its a bit 'American baseball Dad' but on a tall, slim, twenty something, it would be a very cool look.

(On perimenopausal apple shaped me, I'd look like Roseanne Barr).

I wear my navy or grey ones with either trainers or chunky boots with mine for work during the day. Plus either a roll neck jumper, or a 3/4 sleeve top when it’s warmer.

For the evening I wear a black pair with slouchy suede pointy boots and a bit more dressy black or grey top, plus a leather jacket.

I like top half to be neat with wide trousers. So a tight top tucked in or a neat, slightly cropped jumper or cardi.

Trainers for daytime.

The current fashion is for wide leg trousers with slouchy and quite oversized tops, too.

Here are some silhouettes.

I love this look, but only on the tall willowy me if my 20's and 30's, and not the rather rounder version of my 50's. Big boobs and loose tops make me feel twice my size 😢Experiment with what you have in your wardrobe OP, you'll see what looks fab on you.

Tight top, loose bottom (or vice versa) is one of the old mantras, unless it suits you of course, but no need to stick to it. I tend to look at how casual/ smart things are for example t-shirt casual for the day, adding a belt makes it smarter...

I like trainers, pointed shoes/boots, or flat sandals with wide leg trousers, depending on whether going for casual, smart, or more beachy/holiday vibe. I don't think chunky boots look right as it's too bottom heavy.

Daytime, a Breton top tucked in with trainers.
Evening, silk shirt with kitten heel pointy toe shoes.
Asymmetric neck fitted top also looks chic
Try to avoid oversized blazers as it swamps the silhouette.

I used to swear by loose bottom tight top but with a menopausal gut making it's presence felt I think that loose top and bottom looks better. TBH I think it's more about fabric weight than shape so floaty top and stiff bottoms or vice versa tend to work well - for me anyway!