Wide-leg pants trumped skinnines on the Fall 2017 runways.

Wide-Leg Pants Are the New Skinnies and You’ll Get No Complaints From Us

It seems like we’ve been debating the staying power of skinny jeans for eons now. Cigarette-style pants, in general, have pretty much gone up in smoke, thanks to a rise in more calf-friendly cuts like tearaways (worn off the court), bell-bottoms and vintage Levi’s. But Pinterest may have just put the final nail in the skinny jeans coffin with its prediction that wide-leg bottoms will be all the rage for 2018 (searches are up 213 percent).

Wide-leg pants trumped skinnines on the Fall 2017 runways at Chloe Fall 2017, Christian Siriano Fall 2017, Stella McCartney Fall 2017
Wide-leg pants on the runways at Chloe Fall 2017, Christian Siriano Fall 2017, Stella McCartney Fall 2017; Images: Imaxtree

Those searches were probably propelled by the fact that the Fall 2017 runways were inundated with wide-leg pants. Chloe reworked workwear, offering up a selection of slouchy trousers teamed with everything from a cuddly patterned sweater to a shearling coat. Christian Siriano’s more tailored take involved pink free-flowing pants with their high waist on full display thanks to a tucked-in rust-colored turtleneck. Stella McCartney’s wide-leg jeans were balanced out by a cropped denim jacket in the same inky hue.

Wide-leg pants taken to the streets.
When it comes to street style, the wider the pants, the better; Images: Imaxtree

Street style stars embraced the concept pretty quickly, stepping out in a wide range of pants. From baggy trousers that obscure footwear to a business casual look complete with white button-down and even hot pink cropped versions with exaggerated cuffs.

Wide-leg pants prove popular with fashion insiders.
More street style stars making the case for wide-leg pants; Images: Imaxtree

A couple of showgoers used their belt bags as actual belts, cinching their wide-leg pants to create a defined waist. Layering a cropped puffer over top can also help keep proportions in check. When it comes to shoes, base your choice on length, not width. Floor-scraping bottoms call for a little pick-me-up, aka high heels, while cropped fare can stand up to heels or flats.

For more tips and tricks plus 21 stylish sets of wide-leg pants, check out the slideshow below.


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