How to Style Wide Leg Crop Jeans
Look at me, I’m wearing WIDE LEG CROP JEANS!!! Who am I?! I’m trying hard to break out of my millennial style rut and embrace the latest fashion trends. It helps that I live in Boise, which is decidedly not a fashion capital, and therefore, there is a lot more leeway when it comes to trying new trends. Sometimes you stick out like a sore thumb if you really go for it!
Like wide leg pants in general, I also resisted wide leg jeans. I honestly didn’t think I would like a pair of wide leg jeans on me because I’ve been wearing skinny jeans for so long! To be honest, it has taken some getting used to. I’d try them on, look in the mirror, then take them off. Then, I’d try them on again, maybe try a few different shoes with them, then take them off. Then, I’d try them on and leave them on while doing things around the house (and also sitting down—it’s very important to make sure denim is comfy to sit in!). Baby steps! I think it helps that I’ve been wearing wide leg pants more often. Now I just added a denim pair to the rotation!
How to Style Wide Leg Crop Jeans
• Make sure your jeans hit above your ankle
For the true cropped wide leg denim look, make sure you select a pair of wide leg crop jeans that hit above your ankle bone. Since I’m borderline petite, sometimes I opt for the regular length, and sometimes I opt for the petite length. It just depends on the inseam! I know that any inseam around 26” will hit me just above my ankle bone as shown here and give me the cropped look that I’m going for.
• Define your waist with a fitted top
No matter the season, pick a top to wear with your wide leg crop denim that defines your waist. I would recommend a fully tucked top or, in the case of my outfit here, a top that is cropped. (If you opt for a cropped top, make sure you’re wearing a denim rise that goes with the top. High rise denim looks best with cropped tops!) You can go casual with a top or tee like the thermal I’m wearing here or you can go more dressy with a slim-fitting blouse.
Fitted tops work best if you’re planning to wear a third piece to tie everything together, like a cardigan, blazer, jacket, or coat. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself by wearing all the oversized things (especially if you’re petite!). Think of how your outfit can feel balanced! The wide leg crop denim already brings the drama so keep it low-key everywhere else.
• Wear a shoe with a heel
In the summer and for warm spring and fall days, opt for a heeled sandal. Open-toed clogs and regular clogs work well as do block heeled sandals like mine here. If you’re wearing your wide leg crop jeans to work, try a pump! In the cooler months, pair your wide leg crop jeans with boots that have a slimmer profile, like sock boots and even tall boots (if the top of the boot doesn’t interfere with the denim!). I’ve worn tall boots with wide leg pants before. Adding some height with your shoe will give a much-needed visual separation between the floor and the hem of your wide leg pants and make you look taller.
THAT SAID, I wore these jeans with sneakers to work and didn’t feel frumpy, so go with what shoe makes you feel good! As long as your wide leg jeans are cropped, they work with more shoe styles than full-length wide leg jeans. Loafers and ballet flats are also fair game if that’s the look you’re going for. Comfort is KEY with everything I wear so I totally get it if you prioritize comfortable shoes over appearing taller.
In this fall outfit, I’m wearing perfect vintage wide leg crop jeans by Madewell. This is the first pair from the perfect vintage line that actually fit me properly. I’ve tried two pairs of the OG perfect vintage style (with a slim tapered leg) in two different sizes and neither one fit! One was far too big in the waist, the other far too small, and they were one size different. I’ve since learned that sizing varies for everyone—annoying, if you ask me! Luckily, the wide leg crop jeans don’t seem to have the same sizing issue. I’m wearing a size 27 petite in the curvy style!
Hope these tips help you feel inspired to style your wide leg crop jeans! How do you style your wide leg crop jeans?
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OUTFIT DETAILS
MATE the Label top / exact or similar by Urban Outfitters
Madewell jeans / exact (also available via Zappos or Nordstrom) (non-curvy version)
Nisolo heels / old; similar from Target or Amazon
Madewell bag / old; similar by Banana Republic or Frye
Le Specs sunglasses / exact via Revolve, Shopbop, Urban Outfitters, or Nordstrom
Dior Lip Glow in rosewood / exact