WORDS BY JOSEPH FURNESS
If we have one piece of style advice this spring, it’s to throw your skinny jeans to one side and embrace the wide-leg trend. Yes, it’s official: roomy denim is replacing the spray-on skinny jeans we’ve been sporting since the early 2010s.
So who’s doing them? Practically everyone you (should) care about – from Bottega Veneta to Isabel Marant, Maison Margiela to MOTHER. Of course, they’ve all interpreted the trend a little differently, which means there are a variety of styles available.
To bring you a little inspiration, we’ve carefully curated an edit of the best luxe wide-leg jeans currently available on FARFETCH. Plus, we’ve selected a handful of new season tops, shirts and shoes that you can harmoniously pair with wide-leg jeans. You’re welcome in advance.
The Best Wide Leg Jeans for 2021
CLASSIC
If you’re feeling a little lost when it comes to the wide-leg jeans trend, let Miuccia Prada guide you. Miu Miu’s Club Distressed jeans are easy on the eye and pared-down to perfection; hence, they make a great starting point for anyone new to roomy trousers.
SLOUCHY
Recently, our mood boards have been plastered with Y2K references which, in turn, has sent us wild for slouchy denim. Fortunately, brand-of-the-moment Bottega Veneta has released an oversized take on the wide-leg jeans trend that wouldn’t look amiss in a Nelly music video. All we need now is a Nokia.
CUT-OUT
In case you’re yet to notice, cut-out attire is all the rage. So, why not combine the two hottest trends of the season and sport a cut-out wide-leg pair of jeans, courtesy of Parisian fashion house, Maison Margiela. Who knew white denim could look so avant-garde?
PRINTED
RED Valentino Floral-Print Jeans
RED Valentino is the Italian fashion houses’ sub-label that focuses on effervescent storytelling pieces. This pair of wide-leg jeans from the brand transports onlookers to a tranquil oriental garden via its print filled with blossom trees and Asian willows.
ULTRA WIDE
If you’re a woman who refuses to do things by halves, then we recommend you get acquainted with French label Isabel Marant's ultra-wide pair of jeans. These beautifully crafted trousers – cropped to sit above the ankle to balance out the dramatic width – could mark the beginning of your new signature style.
NEUTRAL
If you swear by Earthy hues, MOTHER’s beige-toned roller prep jeans are bound to get your heart racing. Perfect for pairing with other neutrals, the American-made trousers offer a foolproof way to rock the wide-leg jeans trend.
DETAILED
If there’s one thing DSQUARED2 always gets right, it’s denim. For SS21, the Milan-based brand has released a dazzling pair of dark denim jeans adorned with badass paint details. What better way to make a splash this spring/summer?
TIE-DYE
Stella McCartney Balloon-Shape Jeans
Have you ever gazed at your denim draw and felt the need to purchase some pants with personality? You’re not alone. Fortunately for us all, Stella McCartney has just released a pair of high-waisted, wide-leg tie-dye trousers redolent of the Woodstock era. We, for one, can’t wait to wear them to our post-COVID celebrations.
What Do You Wear With Wide-Leg Trousers?
Tops to Wear With Wide-Leg Jeans
The secret to putting together a sure-fire fit is balance; thus, to pull off wide-leg jeans, one should consider offsetting the width with cropped, tight or tuckable tops. Just imagine the heat you could serve by pairing the aforementioned Miu Miu club distressed Jeans with a Miu Miu embellished cropped cardigan or a Jacquemus spaghetti-strap crop top. Alternatively, consider pairing Maison Margiela's cut-out jeans with a L'Agence Jordy slit sleeve shirt or a Prada cut-out detail knit top for a full-on cut-out look.
Miu Miu Embellished Cropped Cardigan / Jacquemus Spaghetti Crop Top / L'Agence Jordy Slit-Sleeve Shirt / Prada Cut-Out Knit Top
Shoes to Wear With Wide-Leg Jeans
To decipher which shoes you should be wearing with wide-leg jeans, you must first decide on your preferred style. If you’re fond of the long, loose style of wide-leg jeans (e.g. Bottega Veneta’s slouchy style or the paint-detailed from DSQUARED2), you’re best opting for a boot or high-top that holds its own when paired with bountiful denim. For SS21, we’re recommending a pair of Bottega Veneta puddle ankle boots or Nike Dunk Highs.
If you think cropped wide-leg jeans are about to be your new thing (e.g. Stella McCartney’s tie-dye jeans or Isabel Marant's ultra-wide jeans), we suggest you consider dressing them up with a sleek pair of heels. ICYMI, Amina Muaddi pumps are the in-thing.
Or, if you’re a bit of a Goldilocks, hoping to cop a pair of wide-leg jeans that are cut ‘just right’ (e.g. MOTHER’s roller prep jeans or the Miu Miu Club Distressed jeans), we propose a proportionate jeans-and-sandal combo. Which sandals? If we were you, we’d consider Jil Sander’s latest padded crossover strap sandals, preferably in beige.