You don’t have to wear skinny jeans all the time! For some time now, wide-leg pants have been enjoying increasing popularity with women of all ages and all body types – and quite right too. Wide-leg pants are not only incredibly comfortable but look fantastic too. And small problem areas? Hidden in no time!
Culottes, Marlene pants and the like
These practical pants flatter the figure and come in three styles, which differ slightly not just in their name but also in the cut: palazzo pants, culottes, and Marlene pants. What all three types have in common is that they have a high waist, meaning they sit at waist level and therefore accentuate the waist. From the thighs or waistband down, the pants again score highly with a loose, wide leg. The wide cut makes them extremely comfortable to wear – at last, we don’t feel constricted and trapped anymore, like with some skinny jeans.
Culottes
What makes culottes particularly distinctive is the leg length. They usually come down to the calves, which means there’s a lot of ankle on display – which in turn makes your legs look slimmer. Because the pants legs are cut very wide, culottes are sometimes also called a “pants skirt”.
Marlene pants
Unlike culottes, Marlene pants end just below the ankle – and sometimes almost reach the ground. The wide ankle not only makes the pants look very elegant but also makes your legs look longer.
Marlene pants are often closely fitted at the waist and accentuate the narrowest point of the upper body with a belt or ribbon. They get their name from a time when it was about as common to see women in pants as it was to see men in skirts – in other words never. But there was one actress who didn’t care. She stood by her liking for an androgynous style, and in the 1930s she liked wearing pant suits best, which at that time were originally reserved for her male colleagues. Long live emancipation! Marlene Dietrich influenced this style so much that the pants are still named after her today. And these days we’re all wearing them – Marlene would be proud!
If you want to dress a little more extravagantly, you can wear palazzo pants. If you compare them with Marlene pants, you’ll see the legs are cut even wider on palazzo pants. What’s more, they start getting wider from the waistband, not from the thighs down. A classic A-line is slimming in pants too.
Narrow waist, long legs – the illusion created by wide-leg pants
One thing is certain: All three styles of wide-leg pants make you look thinner. The wide cut of the legs is perfect for concealing big thighs. The high waistband not only hides a bit of a tummy, but also makes for seemingly infinitely long legs – killing two birds with one stone.
One special tip: Extra length is great. The pant legs can rest on your shoes a little, and this elongates the legs further. But it’s important to make sure your shoes are still visible. If you want to get even more out of your new wide-leg pants, go for soft-flowing fabrics such as viscose. Wide-leg pants made of this material have the benefit that flowing fabrics have a better drape and gently caress your figure, making your legs look even slimmer.
However, wide-leg pants are particularly popular not just because they look good but because they hide certain problem areas too. Loose pant legs prove to be a real lifesaver on warmer days, and in summer particularly. Sweaty, sticky skin? No problem! Your loose-fitting friends allow plenty of air to get to the skin, so they’re comfortable to wear, even when it’s hot. Soft-flowing viscose pants are our particular favorites in warmer weather.
Let’s be clear: Wide-leg pants really are slimming. The high, fitted waist not only makes your waist look narrower but also makes your legs appear longer. The wide trouser legs makes them really flattering for your figure, easily concealing lumps, bumps, and any little problem areas. Culottes make your legs look longer by showing your ankles. Marlene pants and palazzo pants, on the other hand, score particularly highly thanks to their extra length – different approach, same effect: The leg appears stretched and looks slimmer. You can also wear high-heeled shoes to further emphasize your figure. So bye bye, skinny jeans – and hello, wide-leg pants!
What to wear with wide-leg pants
Putting together an outfit with wide-leg pants is really simple. These figure-flattering beauties are already such head-turners because of their unusual cut, so you can be a little more conservative when choosing what to go with them. Complete the outfit with small accessories such as bracelets, floral hair bands, or a cool bag. Wide-leg pants make you slim – we know that already. If you want something even more slimming, go for culottes, Marlene pants and the like in dark colors such as navy or black. Whatever you choose to wear can then be color-coordinated with your wide-leg pants.
When it comes to choosing a top to go with wide-leg pants, there’s one general rule of thumb: If you want to show off your figure, avoid loose tops as much as possible. Because of the high waistband on the pants, a tight top works better. It emphasizes the waist beautifully.
If you still don’t want to do without a loose top, you can get a slimming effect by tucking your top into your pants. That way you don’t lose the visual effect of the high waistband. You can also knot a shirt blouse for a really casual look, and this also gives your waist some definition.
An open blouse jacket worn over a close-fitting top also looks very elegant.
Tone-on-tone outfits also make you look slim. Model yourself on Marlene Dietrich and wear your wide-leg pants with something that’s exactly the same color on top, such as a blazer.
A pantsuit combination not only accentuates the best bits of your silhouette, but it will also give you that unmistakable, confident power woman look.
What shoes go well with wide-leg pants?
Choosing the right footwear also calls for a bit of careful consideration. In principle, anything goes these days – whether that’s sporty cool with sneakers, stylish and poise with sandals, or casual with loafers. Wide-leg pants simply look great, whatever shoes you wear.
If you want to play it safe and make your legs look even longer at the same time, go for pumps or high heels to create the illusion of infinitely long legs. If you wear heels, your pants can also be really, really long.
Be bold and enjoy the legroom you get with culottes, Marlene pants and palazzo pants!
