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Wearing Wide-Leg Jeans When You’re Over 50

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I’ve gotten several emails from ladies asking if women over 50 can wear wide-leg jeans. One lady mentioned that a co-worker commented that she dressed too modern and trendy and was trying to look like a teenager. Excuse me; I’m wearing wide-leg jeans, and I’m over 50. Who decided that only younger women were in the market to look modern? That is a bunch of bull hockey, and I will prove it today.

Wearing Wide-Leg Jeans When You’re Over 50

Tania Stephens is wearing Mother wide leg jeans and a Tuckernuck brown sweater
Chocolate Brown Grove Shaker Polo (Medium) | MOTHER Sixth Sense The Tomcat (Size 29) | Chocolate Kyra Belt (Large) | Dark Brown Arya Boots (Size 9) | Leopard Leather Tote

These MOTHER wide-leg jeans in size 29 are quickly becoming my new favorite. They’ve got this awesome retro 70s vibe with the high-rise waist and wide legs that make them super flattering. The denim is soft and has just the right amount of stretch, so they’re comfortable to wear all day. The mid-blue wash is easy to style, whether I’m going for a laid-back look with the Chocolate Brown Grove Shaker Polo or dressing them up with a blouse.

Tania Stephens wearing a fox sweater and trousers
Trouser Jeans (Size .5)

This outfit inspiration look is from last year. The dark wash wide leg jeans are still available, and I love how they look with the light sweater and faux leather blazer. Dark wash jeans will always look dressier and more polished than light wash jeans. Looking for more posts about jeans? You might like these posts:

Are Wide-Leg Jeans in Style?

Tania Stephens wearing a blue sweater and wide leg jeans
Mid Rise Wide Leg Trouser Jean (Size 10)

Oh, my, YES! Wide-leg jeans are absolutely in style and have been a major trend on the fashion scene for a while now. You’re going to be seeing them a lot this fall and winter! Over the past two years, they’ve only been growing in popularity, and it’s easy to see why.

Tania Stephens is styling Fall 2024 New Arrivals From Chicos - dolman sweater and wide leg jeans 40
Dolman Pullover Sweater (Size 1) | High Rise Wide Leg Jeans (Size .5) | Leopard Leather Tote |  Franco Sarto Bootie (8.5)

Not only are wide leg jeans more comfortable than a skin tight pair of jeans, but they also give off a modern, stylish vibe that can keep your outfits feeling fresh and youthful. I personally love getting dressed in something that feels great without sacrificing fashion, and wide-leg jeans hit that sweet spot. While not every trend fits my style, I’m fully embracing this one!

How to Style Wide Leg Jeans

When I’m styling my wide-leg jeans, I opt for a slightly cropped top that hits around the top of my jeans, or I tuck in my blouse. This helps to highlight your waist so you don’t look frumpy or shapeless. I also suggest going with a high-waisted wide-leg jean to make your legs look longer. I usually go for full length hem in the colder months, but for the rest of the year, you could also go with a cropped length that’s going to show off your shoes!

Who Should Wear Wide-Leg Jeans?

Tania Stephens wearing a lantern sleeve blouse and wide leg jeans
Pintuck Detail Artisan Print Top (Size 1) | High Rise Wide Leg Jeans (.5) | Rich Burgundy leather tote

Wide-leg jeans are a flattering choice for so many different body types! For rectangles, like me, the wider leg helps create the illusion of a more defined waistline, adding balance to an otherwise straight figure. Women with straight or slim legs also benefit from wide-leg jeans, as they add a bit of volume, helping to create a more proportionate silhouette.

If you’re pear-shaped or have thicker legs, wide-leg jeans can be a fantastic choice, too. They offer great coverage while giving your legs a sleek, elongated look by drawing the eye away from specific areas. The beauty of wide-leg jeans is that they don’t make you look heavier, but to maintain the right proportions, it’s important to pair them with a more fitted top. I personally love how they balance out my broad shoulders and add a touch of drama to my outfits.

Even petite women can wear wide-leg jeans! You gurls have to be extra careful not to allow your outfit to swallow you up, so you’ll want to take extra care when choosing what to go with your jeans. Make sure you choose a cropped or tucked blouse to highlight your waist, and the high-waisted versions will make your legs look longer!

What are the Best Wide-Leg Jeans for Women?

J. Jill Pure Jill Soft Wide-Leg Jeans
J. Jill Pure Jill Soft Wide-Leg Jeans

These jeans are all about comfort and softness! Their relaxed fit and easygoing style are perfect for casual days when you want to look put together without sacrificing comfort. Plus, they pair beautifully with a cozy sweater or a simple tee.

Wit & Wisdom 'Ab'Solution High Waist Wide Leg Jeans
Wit & Wisdom ‘Ab’Solution High Waist Wide Leg Jeans

The ‘Ab’Solution technology in these jeans means they will help mold and hold your midsection. They’re high-waisted, which means they give your legs a longer, leaner look and are perfect for pairing with a tucked-in blouse or cropped sweater! The longer length is going to look great with pointed toe booties this fall.

Chico's High Rise Wide Leg Jeans
Chico’s High Rise Wide Leg Jeans

Chico’s has had so many great pairs of wide-leg jeans this year! This pair is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a polished but laid-back vibe. These will be great for styling with fitted tops. Add a blazer or moto jacket, and you’re ready to take on the day!

FRAME Le Slim Palazzo Ankle Jeans
FRAME Le Slim Palazzo Ankle Jeans

I am new to the FRAME brand, but I love every pair I’ve tried on! These ankle jeans bring a modern twist to the wide-leg style with their cropped length. They’re perfect for showing off cute shoes and a great option for casual days or even dressed-up nights out!

PAIGE Anessa Wide Leg Jeans
PAIGE Anessa Wide Leg Jeans

I really like the polished look that a dark wash brings to an outfit! This pair of darker wide-leg pants from PAIGE sit high on the waist and flow beautifully down the leg. I would pair them with a fitted top or a tucked-in blouse!

NYDJ Teresa Wide Hem Wide Leg Jeans
NYDJ Teresa Wide Hem Wide Leg Jeans

I love the NYDJ brand! If you haven’t heard of them, that stands for Not Your Daughter’s Jeans. I did a review of some of their jeans here. This pair of wide hem wide-leg jeans are made with lift and tuck technology that helps lift your booty and smooth your tummy area!

Shop More Wide-Leg Jeans:

Tops to Wear with Wide-Leg Jeans

Tania Stephens wearing a crochet top and cropped denim jeans
Crochet Trim Banded Hem Tee (Size 1) | High-Rise Wide-Leg Cropped Denim Jeans (Size .5)

Choosing a top to wear with wide-leg jeans isn’t tricky, but you must pay attention to the proportions. The rule of thumb is if your pant is wide, your top needs to fit closer to the body. I like wearing a top that isn’t tight but is a slim fit and skims my body. I have too many lumps and bumps to wear a bodycon top or body suit, so I choose slimmer-fitting tops to wear with my wide-leg pants.

Footwear for Wide-Leg Jeans

Tania Stephens wearing a green cardigan and cropped denim jeans
Kut From The Kloth Jeans (Size 8)

The style of shoe you choose to wear with wide-leg jeans depends on the length of the jeans. If the jeans are long, you might want to choose a chunky heel boot, a platform shoe, or a clog that is trending right now. If you’re styling cropped wide-leg pants, you can wear any of the other shoes I mentioned, but pointed flats always look great.


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Verse Of The Day

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
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62 Comments

  1. Karen Campbell says:

    I love wide leg pants. I get so many compliments from the VHCC students (!) when I wear them! Yes, I know I’m over 50, but I love stylish clothing.

    1. My mother taught at VHCC.

  2. Hi Tania!
    I am one of those little 5 ft girls and struggled until a year or so ago to style my wide leg jeans. I have to say though, as you pointed out – they look awesome with short shirts/sweaters! when I can’t find what I am looking for, I check out the Jr section at Macy’s and I can almost always find something cute. What would be silly and short on a person of normal like you is perfect on someone who has to fib (just a little) to say she is 5 ft tall! I agree that the brown outfit is gorgeous!

  3. I just found a pair of light wash wide leg jeans at a consignment shop. Thanks for the tips on what to wear eith them, I’m excited to wear them this fall!

  4. Connie Nunn says:

    Thank you for sharing tips to wearing wide leg jeans. I love the look of them but was not sure about tops or shoes to wear with them. Your post answered my questions. Thanks again.

  5. Dena Shealy says:

    I absolutely love the first look with the brown polo, wide leg jeans and the brown boots! Looks fabulous!👌

  6. Hey Tania,
    I just now have decided that I’m going to try the wide legs. I hope they don’t make me look bigger! Ha! I got a pair at Old Navy, but I haven’t wore them yet. Here’s hoping!
    You look great in yours!!

    Blessings,
    Angie

  7. Cara MacNinch says:

    I love wide legged jeans! They are fun to style and I feel great when I wear them.

  8. Marie Farris says:

    I absolutely love the wide leg jeans Thank you for sharing different ways to style them .

  9. sue koren says:

    I find this trend hard to wear.

  10. I just bought my first pair of wide leg jeans at maurices. Looking forward to pairing them with a cute cropped sweater. I’m 60 and embracing my youthful side.

  11. Valery Reach says:

    I love a cute wide leg jean! I definitely need a chunky heel or plateform to pull off the look since I am currently at 5’2″.

  12. I’m not a fan of wide leg jeans, but saying a woman over a certain age should not wear them is silly. I agree, we should wear the styles that make us feel stylish, comfortable, and confident.

  13. Regina Kimbrough says:

    Thanks for the tip to wear a slightly cropped top that hits around the top of the wide leg jean so you don’t look frumpy or shapeless. I also took your advice to wear a darker jean with a pointed heel. Looked very polished yet casual for the office

    1. I’m glad that tip worked for you.

  14. Nice options. thanks for showing off lots of wide leg options.

  15. I like the wide leg jeans. As a petite I have to wear only moderate styles so I’m not overwhelmed. great post again.

  16. I love love that first outfit! It looks great on you. I am so tempted by it, but experiencing a little sticker shock!😉

    1. Christi, I’m with you. WHY do things that cost the most end up looking the best??? 😢 I love the look of that outfit soooo much!

  17. Julie Lozano says:

    Long time no hear! I’m so glad to be back. Especially when it comes to wide legs! Love the look but on a 5’1 lady this can be dicey. I continue to search for shorter tops. I love the white one you have on from Chicos I believe. Take care and see you in tomorrows post.

  18. These look great on you! Love the outfit in the first picture the best.

  19. It seems like I am in the minority here but I just haven’t been excited over the wide leg jeans. I prefer wearing my tops untucked and longer, so that is probably the main reason I haven’t jumped on the bandwagon!

  20. Sherrie Tolbert says:

    Hi Tania,
    I am 78 , 5 ft. tall and I love wide leg jeans and pants. I have several pair I enjoy wearing. I think people should wear what they like and feel comfortable in. If a style works for you wear it. My daughter is in her 3os and she encourages me and her Mother in law to wear stylish clothes.
    By the way you look great in wide leg jeans.

    1. I’m glad your daughter is so encouraging to keep you and her MIL looking fashionable!!!

  21. Karen Miller says:

    I agree with you 100%! I work at CATO, and we sell tons of wide leg jeans. We also have a lot of casual/fun work pants that are wide leg! Very popular! They are for every woman, no matter size or age. I say, if you feel good in them, then wear them! Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise! 🥰

  22. I’m 69 and I wear wide leg jeans. I have some from J Jill and a couple from Talbot’s. I’m definitely going to check out Chico’s. Love bring one of the Gurls.

  23. Ginger Hiller says:

    How is your mother’s recovery going? I do hope that she is not in too much pain. An 82 year old neighbor/extended family member is having his 2nd neck surgery now; the first one was last Friday and he did great. We’re praying that everything goes as smoothly today. I really do like wearing my wide legged jeans. I do need to find a pair, like the NYDJ, that will allow me to wear flats. I thought that I wanted to order the chocolate brown top until I saw the price. As much as I like it, it’s way out of my budget.

    1. My mom is doing great! She has not had any pain at all. Of course, she is taking her pain meds as prescribed, so that might be the reason she has done so well.

  24. Cathy Baird says:

    I just bought a couple pair of wide legged jeans from maurices, and I
    love the way they fit me. I have a large waist and small hips so I have to buy to fit the waist and then they’re big in the hips. Having wide legged jeans makes it look like they’re supposed to be a bit bigger in the hip/thigh area. I really like the fit.

  25. Joan Bullington says:

    I starting to love these wide legged jeans!!

  26. Wide leg jeans are so cute! I feel kind of slender in them!

  27. Thank you, thank you for this post! I am 70 and love my wide leg jeans but I don’t want to look like a teenager. Love the tops you show with them.

    1. Joan, we can make fashion trends work for us without looking like a teenager. I love that you are willing to try.

  28. Janice Marks says:

    I am 84 and love your posts. I am so glad you like like Wide leg jeans since that is what I wear

  29. Thanks for the blog on wide leg jeans! I have a pair in my closet I’ve been afraid to wear.

  30. A little over 65. Just got a pair of wide legged jeans. I am not a tuck in person… any suggestions?
    I am a tunic top type of person.

    1. Lucia, if you wear a tighter fitting top that is shorter, that works. You can also do a half tuck like I did in the photos.

      1. I might try the 1/2 tuck.
        Have you noticed that the length of pants or even jeans have gotten very long? I purchased 3 pair of pants this summer, including the wide leg jeans and they need almost 3 inches cut off. I know I have shrunk 3 inches!

        1. Lucia, I think they made some jeans longer so they could be worn with platform shoes.

          1. I use to wear platforms until I developed a fear of falling!

  31. I’m 65 and petite and absolutely love wide-leg jeans and pants. While I have straight legs and flares, I mostly wear my wide-legs. They’re especially nice for Texas weather as they’re so much cooler than other jeans.

  32. Cathy Catullo says:

    I love wide leg jeans and have bought some. My question is how to wear a shorter top and belt when you have a bit of a pooch belly?

    1. I have a bit of a pooch belly too. That’s just how it is, so if it shows, life goes on. Lol!

  33. Grandma Judy says:

    I am 78, 4ft 10 in tall,short waisted. and apple shaped and I love the wide leg jeans and pants. I bought the petite crops this summer and when I wanted full length I bought cropped regular size. That way I don’t have to shorten them. since I am short waisted I always tuck my top in and then layer an open 3rd piece if needed like a cardigan or blazer. So if an old lady like me can wear them than anyone can. lol!

    1. I love that you are willing to embrace new things. 😊

  34. I love these styles! I purchased that artisan print top at Chico’s and it is GORGEOUS! Happy Monday ❤️❤️❤️

  35. Love them!! I can’t wait to wear the ones I have on order!! Thanks for the suggestions on how to style. Brilliant!

  36. Very helpful post. I’ll never be thin enough to look good in leggings or slim-cut pants. The wide-leg look is perfect for me. Your suggestion to wear a more fitted top is one I will try. Thanks!

  37. You look cute, young and trendy in your wide leg jeans, especially with the crochet top.
    I have bumble bees all over my Four O’clocks.

  38. It’s so cute how your mom waters the wasps. I guess I’m going to have to try on a pair of wide leg jeans. Not sure I can embrace that trend. They look super cute on you though.

  39. I totally agree with you. I’m 70 petite and I wear wide leg jeans and pants. As soon as they came out a couple of years ago I bought some. I love them. I do buy petite sizes because the proportions are better for my body. I wear them like you suggested either with a crop top or top tucked all the way. My jeans are high waisted and they make my short legs look longer. I noticed lately some wide leg jeans are over the top wide. Those I would not wear.

    1. Terri, they have some that have really exaggerated flares and extra wide legs, but I’m sticking with the normal versions.

  40. I cannot believe people are so gutsy to tell someone they dress too young. Even if I thought it, I wouldn’t say it. Lol! I have wide leg jeans and love them and I’m way over 50! They bring back my love of the 70’s!

  41. Great post! The first outfit is perfection…I want the whole look ! I love wide leg jeans but they really need to be styled correctly which you have done ❤️

    1. Loved them in the 70’s and love them now!!😊

  42. I love wide leg jeans and the first brown boots! So cute!

  43. Kelly Lane says:

    Love a good pair of wide leg jeans.

  44. Julie Hall says:

    I love my wide leg jeans and denim capris from Talbot’s. It’s great to see that it’s okay to wear them if you’re over 50 since I’m over 70…. LOL! Thank you for the ideas for tops to wear with my wide leg jeans.

  45. Nice selection of wide leg jeans.

  46. Wide leg jeans? LOVE them!!

  47. Love all of these jeans. I really enjoy wearing this style.