How to Style Wide Trousers: Tops, Shoes and Jackets

You style wide trousers best with a fitted or short top, ankle boots or boots and, in autumn, a short cardigan or jacket. That way the wide leg stays the main piece, and the outfit looks clear and deliberate.

Wide trousers are comfortable, but not every top goes with them. Too much loose fabric on top and at the bottom takes the shape out of an outfit. Here is which top, which shoes and which jacket or coat go with wide trousers, and what three outfits for autumn look like.

This guide is about wide trousers in fabric and jersey, so slouchy trousers, pleated trousers and wide fabric trousers. For wide jeans, you will find ideas in the guide How to Style Wide-Leg Jeans. How to plan proportions and outfits for slouchy trousers is explained in the guide How to Style Slouchy Trousers.

How to style wide trousers: what is the basic rule?

If a lot of fabric falls at the bottom, the volume on top stays restrained. There are three simple ways to do that.

• Fitted: a basic top, bodysuit or long-sleeve top that sits close to the body.
• Short: a top or jacket that ends at the waist or hip and shows the waistband.
• Tucked in: a blouse or thin jumper that you tuck into the waistband at the front.

Many wide trousers have an elastic waistband or a drawstring. With short tops you show the waistband, and the outfit has a clear centre.

The pattern of the trousers matters too. If they have leopard print or stripes, the top stays plain. If the trousers are plain, the top can have a pattern. You will find a selection in our wide trousers for women.

Which top goes with wide trousers?

Top and bodysuit. A top with a narrow cut is the simplest base because it puts the trousers in the spotlight. You will find a selection in our tops and bodysuits.

Long-sleeve top. In autumn a fitted long-sleeve top is the warmer option. In a plain colour it mixes well with patterned trousers.

Blouse and shirt. Tucked into the waistband, it gives wide trousers a clear line. The fabric of the blouse can be flowing or firm; what matters is only that no extra volume is added on top.

Jumper. A wide jumper with wide trousers quickly gets lost in the fabric. A fine or cropped knit is better. If you wear a wide jumper, tuck it into the waistband at the front so the waist stays visible.

Which shoes go with wide trousers?

Ankle boots and boots. They are the simplest choice in autumn. The wide leg falls loosely over the shaft or ends just above it, and the shoe gives the outfit a firm base. You will find a selection in our ankle boots.

Flat shoes. Trainers or ballet flats go mainly with wide trousers that have a shorter leg, because you see the whole shoe there.

Sandals. On warm days and in late summer, open shoes are an option. With long, wide trousers, often only the toe of the shoe is visible. A small heel lifts the hem.

Which jacket and coat go with wide trousers in autumn?

Short cardigan. It ends at the hip and leaves the wide leg free. Worn open, it keeps the waistband of the trousers visible. You will find a selection in our short cardigans.

Transitional jacket. A short-cut jacket such as a blouson or a windbreaker is the second layer over a top or long-sleeve top. You will find a selection in our transitional jackets.

Trench coat and coat. If you wear a trench coat open, the wide trousers stay visible and the coat frames the outfit. You will find coats and trench coats in our coats.

Which colours go with wide trousers?

With wide trousers in beige, brown or khaki, white, cream and black go well because these tones mix easily. With black trousers, white, pink or brown on top bring a little colour. With trousers in a strong colour, the top stays plain and calm. If you wear several tones of one colour family, such as cream, beige and brown, the outfit looks tidy.

Three outfits with wide trousers in autumn

Everyday in brown. Striped wide trousers in brown, with a fitted cream long-sleeve top, a short cardigan and ankle boots. The tones go together, only the trousers have a pattern. An everyday outfit that doesn’t take much thought.

With leopard print. Wide trousers with khaki leopard print, with a plain white top, a transitional jacket and boots. The pattern sits at the bottom, the top stays calm. The jacket ends at the hip and leaves the wide leg free.

Calm and clean. Black pleated trousers, with a blouse or bodysuit tucked into the waistband, an open trench coat and ankle boots. Few colours, clean lines. That makes wide trousers look calmer and less sporty.

Matching items in the shop: comfortable trousers for women and slouchy trousers.

Frequently asked questions

Which top goes with wide trousers?

A fitted or short top, such as a basic top, a bodysuit or a long-sleeve top. A blouse or thin jumper works too if you tuck it into the waistband.

Which shoes go with wide trousers?

Ankle boots or boots in autumn, flat shoes or sandals in summer. A small heel lifts the hem of long wide trousers.

Which jacket goes with wide trousers?

A short cardigan or a short-cut transitional jacket, because they leave the wide leg free. A trench coat works if you wear it open.

What is the difference between wide trousers and slouchy trousers?

Wide trousers are any trousers with a loosely falling leg. Slouchy trousers is the everyday term for particularly wide-cut trousers, often with an elastic waistband. There is no standardised cut for them.

Can you wear wide trousers with a jumper?

Yes. A fine or cropped jumper looks calmest. You tuck a wide jumper into the waistband at the front so the waist stays visible.

How do you style wide trousers with a pattern?

The top stays plain, ideally in a colour that also appears in the pattern. With leopard print in beige or khaki, white, cream or brown go well, for example.