5 Reasons Why You Need Wide Leg Jeans
I have always wanted longer legs. I adore cropped and tapered jeans, but the reality is they just aren’t that flattering on us shorter gals. In the 2010’s boot cut jeans were everywhere and I loved how I could wear them with a heel to instantly elongate my legs. Since then, we’ve had a decade of skinny jeans and like everything else, the pendulum is swinging back.
Here are 5 reasons why you need a pair of wide leg or flare jeans this fall.
Oh, before we get into that, what is the difference between wide leg and flare and even boot cut jeans?
Wide leg jeans flare from the upper, mid or lower thigh to the hem.
Flare jeans flare from right at the knee to the hem.
Boot cut jeans flare from mid to lower calf to the hem and are usually a more subtle flare.
REASON #1
Wide leg jeans make your legs look longer! Be warned: if you wear a super-wide leg jean with flats you will make your legs look shorter. The key is finding the right amount of flare (I love my Gap 70’s flare jeans because they are fitting through the hips and thigh before the flare begins), as well as the right length. The longer you go, the higher the heel you will need, so make sure you’re comfortable with that heel height. My advice is to go as high as you can, but then again, I love a high heel and I know that’s not for everyone. A wedge, chunky heel or clog heel is a great way to get a more stable height.
REASON #2
They balance out hips for a flattering silhouette. Just like how the skinny jean that tapers at the ankle is accentuating the difference in size between hips and ankles, the wide leg or flare is balancing out the difference by adding volume at the ankle. This makes your hips look smaller. This might not be a plus for everyone – so if you have smaller hips, I suggest going for a wide leg jean rather than a flare.
REASON #3 You don’t usually need to hem them. Although hemming jeans is not that big of a deal, it is a bit of a bonus when you can keep the original hem. And many of these wide leg jeans have a fantastic hem style that is difficult to replicate properly when hemming. So, for those of us who often need to hem our jeans, this is a bonus. With the right heel height, you get longer legs and no hem needed.
REASON #4 They are sophisticated, yet casual. This silhouette is reminiscent of the trouser pant which is incredibly classic. Even though flare jeans are typically associated with a boho look, they can also be very chic and polished. A button-down shirt or blazer is a great top to pair with a flare jean if you want that sophisticated look.
REASON #5 You will instantly have several new looks from your existing wardrobe. It’s amazing the difference between a t-shirt, blazer, and straight leg pants vs wide leg pants. The same goes with so many tops once you pair them with wide leg or flare jeans.
I was surprised at how different my outfits looked just by simply changing the jeans!
