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Petite Dressing

Dress for your Body Type and Height

ClassyTrendy · May 24, 2024

25 Tips to Look Classy in Wide Leg Pants After 50

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Wide-leg pants have made a remarkable resurgence in the fashion world – comfortable, chic, and versatile, they are a fantastic addition to any wardrobe, especially for women over 50. Here’s a guide to help you embrace this trend with confidence and style.

Table of Contents

  • Opt for Structured Fabrics
  • Favor High-waisted Styles
  • Tuck in Your Top
  • Half Tucks Work Well Too
  • Use a Belt
  • Try Pairing with Fitted Tops
  • Pair with Color Coordinated Tops
  • Go Monochromatic
  • Play with Your Textures
  • Consider Prints and Patterns
  • Layer with Tailored Blazers
  • Balance Vibrant and Neutral Colors
  • Wear Tie-string Designs
  • Try Ultra High Waist
  • Wear with Animal Print Tops
  • Accessorize with a Bag
  • Consider Tonal Dressing
  • Try Color-blocking Neutrals
  • Wear Lightweight Fabrics
  • Check the Seams and Pleats
  • Find the Right Length
  • Wear Heels with Full-length Styles
  • Wear Flats with Cropped Length
  • Choose a Snug Bum Fit

Opt for Structured Fabrics

Choosing fabrics with a certain rigidity can work wonders for your silhouette; structured textiles like twill, denim, or crepe provide a more flattering fit by maintaining the pants’ wide-leg shape. This prevents the fabric from clinging to the body, thus enhancing a streamlined appearance.

Favor High-waisted Styles

A high-waisted design does more than just give a nod to retro fashion; it elongates the legs and emphasizes the waist. This style creates an hourglass silhouette, drawing attention to your natural waistline and making you appear taller and leaner. 

Tuck in Your Top

Tucking in your top can dramatically elevate your outfit as well as define your waist, balancing the volume of the wide-leg pants. It creates a polished, put-together look, ensuring that your overall ensemble is both flattering and fashionable.

Half Tucks Work Well Too

For a more relaxed yet stylish appearance, consider a half-tuck, which involves tucking in just the front part of your top while leaving the back loose. It adds a layer of dimension to your outfit and creates a flattering asymmetry that draws the eye, adding a casual elegance to your look.

Use a Belt

Using a belt helps display your curvaceous waist, breaking up the outfit and adding definition to your silhouette. Opt for a statement belt to add flair or a slim belt for a more subtle effect; either way, a belt enhances the overall aesthetic, making your outfit look more well-styled.

Try Pairing with Fitted Tops

Balance is key when styling wide-leg pants, hence pairing them with fitted tops ensures that your silhouette remains defined. This combination highlights your upper body and prevents the outfit from looking oversized or boxy. 

Pair with Color Coordinated Tops

Choosing tops that coordinate with the color of your wide-leg pants can create a cohesive look. This doesn’t necessarily mean matching colors exactly but rather selecting hues that complement each other, with a goal of making your outfit look well-thought-out and stylish.

Go Monochromatic

A monochromatic outfit can be incredibly flattering because by wearing the same color from head to toe, you create a continuous line that elongates your figure. This styling tip can make you appear taller and slimmer, while also giving off an air of effortless elegance.

Play with Your Textures

Incorporating different textures into your outfit can add depth and interest, thus, pairing smooth fabrics with more textured materials like knitwear or lace can create a visually appealing contrast. This also adds a tactile dimension that can make your outfit stand out.

Consider Prints and Patterns

Don’t shy away from prints and patterns; they add a dynamic element to your wide-leg pants, making them the focal point of your outfit. Patterns like vertical stripes can elongate your legs, while floral or geometric designs can add a visually interesting and refined touch.

Layer with Tailored Blazers

Adding a tailored blazer can bring an air of professionalism to your wide-leg pants. A well-fitted blazer not only adds structure but also balances the volume of the pants, creating a polished, professional look that’s perfect for various occasions, from business meetings to casual outings.

Balance Vibrant and Neutral Colors

Mixing vibrant colors with neutral tones can create a harmonious and stylish outfit. Neutral colors like beige, black, or white can ground bright, bold hues, making them more wearable and less overwhelming. 

Wear Tie-string Designs

Tie-string wide-leg pants offer a customizable fit around the waist, ensuring comfort and a flattering profile. These pants can cinch in your waist, creating an hourglass-like shape that enhances your natural curves.

Try Ultra High Waist

Ultra-high-waisted wide-leg pants are a fantastic option to fully define your waist and masterfully elongate your legs. This style draws attention upward, accentuating your midsection and creating a balanced, proportionate look.

Wear with Animal Print Tops

Animal print tops can add a bold, trendy flair to your wide-leg pants, which creates a dynamic contrast, making your outfit stand out. The print draws attention upward, while the wide-leg pants provide a grounded, sophisticated base, adding a touch of modernity.

Accessorize with a Bag

A well-chosen bag can add a layer of sophistication and complete your look, ensuring you appear polished and put-together. Opt for structured handbags or sleek clutches that complement your outfit without overwhelming it. 

Consider Tonal Dressing

Tonal dressing involves wearing different shades of the same color, and it creates a cohesive, elongated look that can be incredibly flattering. When you pair wide-leg pants with a top in a similar hue, it creates a seamless flow, making you appear taller and more elegant.

Try Color-blocking Neutrals

No doubt, color-blocking with neutrals is a sophisticated way to wear wide-leg pants, so pairing neutral tones like beige, gray, or navy creates a visually striking yet understated look. This technique breaks up your silhouette in a great way, adding depth and interest to your getup.

Wear Lightweight Fabrics

You may opt for wide-leg pants in lightweight fabrics such as linen, silk, or cotton as these materials drape beautifully, providing a fluid, elegant movement as you walk. Lightweight fabrics can also keep you comfortable, ensuring your outfit looks as good as it feels.

Check the Seams and Pleats

Paying attention to seams and pleats can ensure a quality structure and suitable fit for your wide-leg pants. Well-placed seams and pleats add definition, ensuring the pants fall flatteringly, and they create a more polished look, emphasizing the quality and craftsmanship of your attire.

Find the Right Length

When it comes to wide-leg pants, the length can make all the difference – opt for a length that grazes the floor if you’re wearing heels, or an ankle-length pair for a more casual look with flats. The right length elongates your silhouette, creating a streamlined, elegant appearance.

Wear Heels with Full-length Styles

Heels not only add height but also prevent the wide-leg pants from dragging on the ground, maintaining a polished look. This combination can create an illusion of a taller, more statuesque figure, enhancing your overall elegance and poise.

Wear Flats with Cropped Length

Cropped wide-leg pants work wonderfully with flat shoes – ballet flats, loafers, or sneakers can keep the look balanced and chic. This pairing emphasizes your ankles and gives a breezy, youthful vibe, making you look both easygoing and stylish.

Choose a Snug Bum Fit

Wearing a snug fit around the bum area ensures that wide-leg pants highlight your natural curves without looking baggy. This fit creates a pleasing shape, enhancing your figure while maintaining comfort.

Posted In: ClassyTrendy

Hello there! My name is Chi Li, 5'2", founder of PETITE DRESSING, the clothing line for women 5'4" & under. Are you petite and have you been frustrated with what to wear?
This is an issue few truly understand and even fewer brands truly address.
Being petite myself, I have been writing about fashion for short women since 2016 and my brand petitedressing.com has touched the lives of millions.
My styling concepts for petite women not only focus on the perfect fit but also on flattering & elongating the petite frame for a lean silhouette, optimizing the proportions.
Shop my clothing line here.

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