The best wide-leg jeans are in the eye of the shopper. Denim preferences are highly subjective, from the feel of the fabric to the exact width of the leg. Personally, I’ve never met two people who love the exact same pair, let alone the same brand.
Denim experts agree that the best wide-leg jeans are both more comfortable and more versatile than other cuts. Joyce Lee, SVP of design at Madewell, says long-lasting pairs have a lengthening effect. “There are so many great attributes across wide-legs now that you can find what’s more flattering for your body type,” she says. “I love the higher rises with a full-length inseam that really create that long-leg look.”
Sarah Ahmed, cofounder and chief creative officer at DL1961, and founder of Warp + Weft, encourages exploring your options across fit and feel. “Make sure that your jeans fit you properly, as any pulling or sagging will only get worse over time,” she says. “Most importantly, [jeans] should be comfortable and make you feel good.” Inseam length, curved waistbands, and carefully placed pockets can make or break the fit, she adds.
When it’s time to build an outfit, wide-leg jeans look put together with just a few basics. Lee often tucks the front of a simple tee or sweatshirt into her pairs, then layers up from there. “Adding a blazer on top or dressing up an oversized shirt always does the job,” she says. “To pull the whole look together, I pare back to a sneaker for a more casual ‘fit or go with a sandal, ankle boot, or loafer for a polished feel.”
Once you find your dream silhouette, “the right pair of wide-leg jeans can be worn effortlessly,” Ahmed says. Whether you lean cropped or baggy, high-rise or low, your pair of best wide-leg jeans is awaiting ahead.
Best Wide-Leg Jeans: The Palazzo Jean
When you want your wide-leg jeans to work overtime, a palazzo fit is a must. These pairs have long inseams and a higher rise for a business-meets-casual look and feel.
Annina High-Rise Wide-Leg Organic Jeans
Blue Wide-Leg Raw Denim Jeans
Good Waist Raw Hem Palazzo Jeans
Best Wide-Leg Jeans: The High-Rise Wide-Leg
Everyday wide-leg jeans start with a high rise and a moderately roomy leg. Medium volume skews more classic than contemporary—so if the baggy jeans moment passes, you’ll still wear the following pairs.
The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean
High Waist Wide Leg Jeans
Best Wide-Leg Jeans: The Cropped Wide-Leg
Cropped wide-leg jeans are our choice for those tricky days in between seasons. They’re as seamless with tank tops and T-shirts in late August as they are with cable-knit sweaters and leather boots in November.
The Tomcat Roller Raw Hem Wide Leg Jeans
Hepburn Wide Leg High Rise Vintage
Best Wide-Leg Jeans: The Relaxed Wide-Leg Jean
For wide-leg jeans with a hint of nostalgia, try a pair that’s relaxed through the entire leg with a low- to mid-rise. “I’m loving the slouchier fits bringing us back to ’90s and Y2K fashion,” Ahmed agrees. Try a tweed, collarless jacket for some juxtaposition, or lean into the volume with an oversized-on-oversized outfit.
Zoie Wide Leg Relaxed Vintage
Best Wide-Leg Jeans: The Distressed Jean
Take your wide-leg denim in a casual, vintage direction with distressing along the front and side inseams. You can dial up or dial down the rips and tears across brands, then pair them with a structured top or elevated accessories for balance.
Superwide-Leg Jeans in Amcliffe Wash: Knee-Rip Edition
AGOLDE ’90s Ripped Loose Fit Jeans in Washed Black With Damage at Nordstrom, Size 26
Distressed Straight Jeans
Odessa Distressed Wide Leg Jeans
Halie LeSavage
Halie LeSavage is a New York City-based writer and editor for Bazaar.com, where she covers all things e-commerce and shopping.
