What to Wear with Wide Leg Crops
Wide leg crops showed up on the scene a couple years ago. Believing myself to be fashion forward, I bought a pair. Honestly, I just wasn’t ready. The rise seemed too high and the crop too wide. At that point, I hadn’t ventured into higher rise jeans yet because I am short waisted and I wasn’t sure they were right for me. I dabbled a bit with kick flares but always mid-rise.
Then recently, I became obsessed with the 90’s jeans trend. All 90’s jeans are high rise. That is part of the point. So slowly, I warmed to the idea of high rise pants. After that leap, it became easier to delve farther into recent trends including the paper-bag waist (not for me) and the wide leg crop. It turns out the wide leg crop is the perfect pant for summer. I chose the Madewell Wide Leg Crop in Delancey wash.
Madewell Wide Leg Crops
Madewell makes the best quality denim for the price. It is easy to buy into trends when most of the denim is under $130. So I picked up the Wide Leg Crop from Madewell and promptly fell in love. The jeans come in petite, regular and tall. I normally go for tall in denim but in crops the regular fit best. The pants have a wide hem on the bottom which give the flare a nice drape. I don’t know if I will ever be sold on the high rise 100%, but I warming to the idea. I bought them a little loose purposely because one of my main objections to high rise pants is the waistband digging in at the belly button (geez that makes me feel old).
If you buy only one pair of jeans this season make it a pair of wide leg crops! You can wear them all summer long and into the fall. Let me show you how. To successfully pull off this trend, you need to remember proportions. But, it isn’t as extreme as you might think. If you are tall, you have even more leeway to experiment with proportions.
Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of them I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, which allows me to keep this blog up and running. If you would like to know more, visit my disclosure policy page.
With a Fitted Shirt
The easiest way to wear wide leg crops is with a fitted, stretchy shirt. I love this striped one from Frame Denim with the square collar . The square collar has a hint of nautical inspiration. In fact, I just realized, I would be twinning with a Venetian gondolier driver if I just added a red scarf and beret. I am also rocking the Dr. Martens Ryker Sandal. They are my favorite take on the sport sandal trend this season. They are also crazy comfortable. You can wear a stretch knit shirt tucked or untucked as I wore the Reformation Delia Ribbed Top below.
With Your Favorite Tee
You can also wear wide leg crops as you would any pair of jeans with a t-shirt for a casual look. Add a funky belt for a bit of interest. If the tee is cropped wear it untucked or with a half tuck to hide last night’s pasta, belly. I need to add a notch or two to my Gucci belts to accommodate high rise jeans hitting at the smallest part of my waist. My Guci belt below is too big. The studded belt works perfectly because it easily adjusts bigger or smaller.
With a Blazer
Dress your crops up with a white blazer and kitten heels or a cropped military inspired jacket. The one I am wearing is from James Perse and is one of my best purchases from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale ever. This one from Everlane is similar and J.Crew now makes their popular sweater blazer in a cropped version. Both would look great with these pants.
With A Leather Jacket
Add a cropped jacket over any tee for an instantly elevated look. Two of my favorites are the Madewell Washed Leather Motorcycle Jacket and the Banana Republic Utility Shirt Jacket. Both are cropped and hit at the perfect spot to compliment the wide leg. When shopping shopping for a cropped jacket make sure the length hits about 1-2′ above the widest part of your hip. This will give you the most flattering silhouette.
Channel a Boho Vibe
Wide leg crops also work well with a bohemian vibe. Pair your crops with a romantic top that ties or wear your favorite tank with a beautiful kimono over the top. Add sandals and voila, a stylish summer outfit. My wrap top is by Free People and I bought it at Nordstrom. This is the same top but in black. Anthropologie is a great place to pick up a kimono. They have so many to choose from in every color and cut. You are sure to find a print and style that works for you.
If stretch tops aren’t for you, then maybe consider a print top with dramatic sleeves. The fuller sleeves balance the dimensions of the wider pants, accentuating your waist. Right now, there are a ton of puff sleeve shirts on the market. I have broad shoulders so I generally avoid anything that makes me look more like a linebacker than I already do, but I see so many options that would look great with wide leg pants especially if your shoulders are not as wide as your hips. You can create the illusion of an hourglass figure. I personally stick to wide long or butterfly sleeves. Free People is where I find most of my fancy sleeve tops. I am eyeing this Paitlyn Peplum Top right now.
What Shoes to Wear with Wide Leg Crops?
Lastly, you absolutely can wear wide leg crops with all of your shoes. Sandals, booties and yes, even sneakers. It is possible to avoid looking like a mom at Disneyland. Don’t get me wrong. You will always find me in my most comfortable shoes at Disneyland despite how ugly they look with my outfit because I am definitely not a fashion victim. Comfort is always key. But you all know what I mean, right? To pull off the pants with sneakers keep your top neutral like a plain colored tee or wear a complimentary color top to your sneakers.
Choose to wear your favorite fashion sneakers. Below, I paired my crops with my Golden Goose Deluxe Brand sneakers. They are also seriously comfortable. Maybe not all day at Disneyland comfortable, but I wore them around NYC and was fine. I love my GGDB so much I am considering a black pair too. And who doesn’t love the idea of glitter sneakers for adults? I mean, come on! These silver glitter and suede sneakers are everything! GGDB has options to delight the little girl in all of us. Since I spend most of my days in sneakers, it is critical that any new pair of pants can easily be worn with them.
You will catch me all summer sporting my wide leg crops especially while my legs are still as white as snow. They are the perfect seasonal transition pants. Wide leg crops are truly as versatile as your beloved, skinny jeans. So maybe mix it up a bit and give them a try. You too may be sold.
More on StyleDahlia ~ How to Wear Booties for Summer and My Top Sneaker Picks Under $150. I would love to hear from you. What are your thoughts on crops? How are you wearing them this summer? Leave me a comment.
