The Best Wide-Leg Jeans for Everyone, From True Blue to Noir
The best wide-leg jeans are denim standbys. Just like your beloved straight-legs or a flared style, wide-leg jeans are a wardrobe standby—simply put, they’re easy to style and versatile to wear. Although we’ve seen a rise in skinny jeans on the fall runways and within the latest denim trends, on the opposite end of the spectrum, there is no shortage of wide-leg jeans to go around, affirming the notion that there is always room for this closet essential in your jeans drawer.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Wide-Leg Jeans
Whether you love a ’70s-inspired flare jean with a raw hem and a vintage vibe, are craving a fresh barrel-leg update, or are looking for something casual and cropped, you’ll find plenty of options within our edit, highlighting all the silhouettes you personally prefer to wear. Plus, we’ve got the petite jeans that Vogue’s own editors stand behind, that won’t feel too overwhelming on a shorter frame, and wide-leg jeans with longer inseams for the leggier crew.
What’s more, every wash imaginable is included, as well. Take a peek at the noir styles that Kendall Jenner would surely sport, a dark-wash indigo to satisfy your itch for something polished for the office, plus classic mid-blues and ecru and white washes that are all year-round staples in our book.
Not quite sure where to start? Shop the 26 best wide-leg jeans below, to wear now and forever.
- Clean Classic
- Petite
- Tall
- Mid-Rise
- Pleated
- Barrel
- Cropped
- Low-Rise
- Black
- High-Rise
- White Jeans
- Extra Wide
- Cuffed
Best Clean Classic Wide-Leg Jeans
A deep blue, classic pair invokes all the best things about high-waisted wide-leg jeans, namely that they have a wonderfully tailored, ’70s appeal. Invest well now and they’ll stay in rotation for years to come. We love them as much with a white tank and leather belt in summer as with a chunky knit come fall.
Best Wide-Leg Jeans For Petites
There seems to be a misconception that wide-leg jeans should be avoided by petites—a notion that couldn’t be further from the truth. A petite jean—those with the correct inseam, and styled proportionally, namely, nothing too long or oversized on top—works perfectly for women under 5’4. Associate shopping director Talia Abbas says her favorite pairs are from Agolde (the Arc, if she wants a laid-back, cropped look, and the Ren for a higher-waisted moment), Citizens of Humanity (the Winslow, for a boyfriend-inspired, relaxed fit), and Mother (the Half Pipe Sneak, for a barrel-leg look).
Best Wide-Leg Jeans for Tall People
Part of the appeal of a great wide-leg is how sleek it looks, so a pair that hits awkwardly at the ankle just isn’t it. Brands have leggy ladies in mind with wide-leg options with longer inseams for an always on-point fit for the tall set.
Best Wide-Leg Jeans With a Mid-Rise
A good mid-rise is like the Goldilocks of denim—not too high, not too low, it hits just right. These year-round styles are ideal for pairing with everything from tees to blazers effortlessly.
Best Pleated Wide-Leg Jeans
Part trouser, part jeans, a pleated pair of wide-leg denim is a revelation. We love their inherent dressed-up quality, but they never feel too precious, lending everything you wear with them a bit of unexpected, yet unfussy elegance.
Best Wide-Leg Barrel Jeans
Wide-leg but a bit tapered on the bottom? It took us a minute to get accustomed to this silhouette but once we did, we found it to be a wonderfully flattering. You get all of the appeal of a wide-leg with the ease of a straight—now a bestseller in the category.
Best Cropped Wide-Leg Jeans
In the more casual realm, a good wide crop is just what you want on easy fall days. Wear them with loafers or sneakers and a great knit or turtleneck and you’ll be cooler than you ever thought possible—just as the weather is turning.
Best Low-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans
The best low-rise styles and baggy jeans lean into the louche slouch of it all. These comfy wide-legs teeter on the edge of ultra-baggy and offer the kind of undone allure you generally associate with bohemian French girls and indie rock stars.
Best Black Wide-Leg Jeans
Great black denim is a must in every well-curated closet. Skip the skinnies in favor of something with a little volume—bootcut jeans works well here, too. We think you’ll find that once you own them they’ll become an irreplaceable part of your denim wardrobe.
Best High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans
The high-rise wide-leg is a like a denim unicorn—virtually good on everyone. Up the ante on what these styles do best by highlighting your waist with a belt or tucking in a T-shirt or button-down. We particularly like them in a great, medium goes-with-everything wash.
Best White Wide-Leg Jeans
One of the easiest ways to look absolutely chic is by wearing any sort of white-on-white combo—and pairing full-length, white jeans with an ivory sweater (perhaps one of the fisherman variety) ensures you’ll look like the main character wherever you go.
Best Extra Wide Wide-Leg Jeans
Why just wear wide-leg fit jeans when you can wear ultra-wide leg jeans? Take the whole idea up several notches with a pair of jeans that makes a very fun statement. To balance the volume, you’ll want to ideally pair these with something more fitted on top to let these pants really take center stage.
Best Cuffed Wide-Leg Jeans
A little cuff goes a long way—or a lot of cuff. The vibe they give is collegiate prep, especially in a darker wash. They make a statement with even the simplest basics. And we particular love them styled with a sleek boot underneath.
