How to Style Wide Leg Pants if You're Petite
Happy Monday! Ready to kick off the workweek? As I write this, it’s SNOWING outside. Yup, in May. I can’t remember the last time it snowed in Boise in May…! It’s a significant amount, too; it’s actually accumulating on every surface (except for the roads—hopefully it stays that way!).
Anyway, let’s go back to when it looked like spring outside! I’ve been on a mission to find the best flowering trees in Boise to shoot photos with, and this dogwood was simply exceptional. It was the perfect backdrop to my new pair of wide leg pants! I’ve been getting more into wide leg pants after resisting them for so long. I have two other pairs that I don’t think fit me anymore, so it was time to add a new pair to my wardrobe, and I’m absolutely loving the Amour Vert Frankie Pant!
How to Style Wide Leg Pants if You’re Petite
The reason why I resisted wide leg pants for so long is because I’m short! I’m borderline petite at 5’4” tall. When you’re petite (which is based solely on height and simply means that you’re 5’4” or shorter), wearing anything wide can make it feel like you look shorter than you already are. It’s hard to create the illusion of height when you’re short and wearing wide pants, but here are a few tips to give you the confidence to try!
Make sure the pants are a cropped length
The key to wearing wide leg pants when you’re petite is to make sure they have a slight crop. You want the pant legs to hit just above your ankle bone. If you wear full-length wide leg pants that extend past your ankle bone or even drag on the ground, you’ll look like the pants are wearing you instead of the other way around.
Opt for a higher rise that hits you at your midsection
I also recommend choosing wide leg pants that also have a high rise. This is definitely more personal preference, as I know there are lots of petite women that prefer a mid-rise since a high-rise sometimes hits too high. You want the rise to hit at your midsection so you still look proportional, whichever rise that means for you!
Fully tuck your top
Whenever I style wide leg crop pants, I gravitate towards a more form-fitting top. The key here is to fully tuck whichever top you choose to wear so you keep the proportions (bodysuits are GREAT for this because they stay tucked!); covering the rise of the pants with your top will cut you off awkwardly. You can make non-form-fitting tops work with wide leg crop pants; I recommend still fully tucking them and doing some sort of crossover tuck/tie so it’s not as voluminous at your waist.
Add a third piece + shoes with height
Once you have the base of your outfit, it’s time for the really fun part: adding a third piece! I love wearing blazers, sweater blazers, and slightly cropped jackets like leather or suede jackets with wide leg pants. The key is to select a jacket/third piece that eight hits right above your hips or right below your hips so it doesn’t cut you off at an awkward spot.
As for shoes, I typically select sandals or another pair of shoes that add some height. It makes me feel more proportional overall and like I have longer legs. I have worn wide leg pants with flats; if you prefer flats, opt for a pair that shows as much skin as possible—ballet flats are great for this! The more skin showing, the more elongated your legs look.
Hope these tips help you feel more confident and eager to try wide leg pants (or wide leg jeans), even if you are petite! What’s your favorite way to style wide leg pants?
Shop Wide Leg Pants Under $120
OUTFIT DETAILS
BlankNYC jacket / old; similar from Nordstrom or Zappos (another faux leather option)
Madewell bodysuit / exact (also available from Zappos and Nordstrom)
Amour Vert pants / exact or similar by LOFT
Earth sandals c/o / old; similar by Nisolo (also available from Zappos or Anthropologie)
Madewell necklace set / exact (also available from Zappos)
Le Specs sunglasses / exact via Revolve, Shopbop, or Nordstrom
Dior Lip Glow in rosewood / exact