Don’t get us wrong, we love our denim in all forms, whether it’s straight or flared or super skinny, but we’ve never considered the wide leg style kind of jeans trendy — not until recently, that is. Does anyone remember Janco Jeans?? They’re hideous! Don’t blame us for forsaking the trend. However, the emergence of Korean and Japanese street style looks have got us slowly changing our minds; seriously, everyone in Japan’s wearing a pair of wide leg jeans this summer, and pulling them off as effortlessly as usual. So we got one too.
And never looked back. Trust us, once you step into one, you’ll be wanting to wear it all the time — they’re mostly high-waisted which then gives the visual effect of longer legs while hiding any unflattering mid-sections if you’re particular, while the roomy styles offer maximum comfort because you actually get to move around freely with them. No longer are they hugging your legs so tightly that you’ve got to turn them inside out when you peel them off at the end of the day. Here are some affordable options!
First up, some basics. Obviously, Uniqlo comes to mind, especially with their recent denim innovation — here are the first drop of items from their Jeans Innovation Centre in Los Angeles, dedicated to figure out the perfect fabric, fit and finish for the world’s best jeans. Yeah, no kidding. Other than their range of popular High Rise Cigarette Jeans for a sleek straight cut and EZY Jeans that uses a soft back pile fabric (jeans that feel like sweatpants!), we feel that their High Rise Wide Fit Jeans is worth a mention too. These come in different washes, though the darkest wash looks the most chic, and believe us because we tried it ourselves — the denim feels light and flattering in all the right places, plus you won’t feel it tight around your waist despite the cut. Somehow, the denim feels flexible and comfortable while still retaining its shape.
That said, light washes are actually the ones that are trending right now, in part because they go perfectly with any casual outfit. Do like the trendy Koreans and pair them with sport shoes and an oversized top for an effortless normcore look, or have a shirt tucked into them for a slightly smarter style. If you’re not that blessed in the height department, you might want to consider wide leg culottes as well — for petite frames, they can cut off nicely near the ankles so you don’t look like you’re swallowed in fabric. Tall girls, you’re in luck! Culottes are merely another way you can pass off that laidback vibe.
Don’t be all lukewarm over medium tones too — they’re the best way to pull off a denim-on-denim style since they’re the most versatile shade in the denim spectrum. That nice indigo blue looks the best against white tops, which make the colours pop out more, and interestingly, many of the designs we found also include slits by the side of the jeans. It’s a design detail that certainly makes the style even less restrictive, and a little sexier too.
Straight cuts don’t get all the glory though, so here’s presenting more quirky variety. We like the contrast stitching and enlarged pockets on the utility-style jeans, especially since it’s a nice play on the original function of denim. As for the mixed fabric or curved hemline, consider these picks when you’re a wide leg jeans veteran, or simply want to stand out from the sea of blues.
You must be logged in to post a comment.