One of my most popular posts that gets traffic every single day is Instead of Shorts? Wear These 11 Alternatives. That’s why I know that many of my readers are looking for fashionable alternatives to shorts as we approach summer. In fact, I think I’ll be wearing shorts a little less often this year, too. And that’s why these wide leg crop jeans appeal to me so much.
In past years I haven’t been one to wear jeans much during spring and summer. The skinny jeans and even full length boot cut jeans have felt like too…much…during the hotter months. Just too much closeness, too much weight, too much denim for my comfort. But wide leg crop jeans feel so much cooler and comfortable.
Now, as I’ve said repeatedly here at Dressed for My Day, this is a new and different jean silhouette. It may take a while for your eyes to adjust to it. But when I first started trying to get on board with this pervasive trend, I just reminded myself that every other jean silhouette has looked strange, awkward and even distasteful to me at first, too.
I remember the first time I purchased a pair of low riding boot cut jeans – about 15+ years ago now. I felt so awkward and feared that the 70s were going to call and want their jeans back. Ha! Then I joined the ranks wearing skinny jeans much later than most. Again they felt awkward, a little immodest and very form fitting. Well, duh. But now both of those silhouettes feel and look quite normal to me.
I have a feeling you can relate. We really do have to let new silhouettes grow on us a bit. And here’s the thing, gals. I don’t think this trend is going away anytime soon. Wide leg crop jeans are not a fad – a flash in the pan. They’re a trend. There’s a difference between a fad and a trend. Remember, a trend is a movement that is gaining momentum.
Yes, you can still wear your skinny jeans, boot cut jeans and full length straight leg jeans. I’ll definitely be wearing mine. But if you want to look more modern, you might want to add a pair of either wide leg crop jeans (like these) or a pair of straight leg crop jeans to your spring and summer wardrobe. And I can just about promise you that you’ll fall in love with them…eventually!
I simply paired my wide leg crop jeans (which are 30% off + an extra 20% off with code CLASSIC) with a basic white cotton popover (similar) for an elevated but very comfortable look. Then I pulled the outfit together and added some interest with my leopard print belt (similar and included in CLASSIC code markdowns). I added a splash of color with my deep red leather day loafers (size up a full size) and carried along my trench jacket for easy warmth.
Keep in mind, I’m 5’8″. If you’re more petite, you may want to wear shoes that are either the same color as your jeans or the same color as your skin. That way you’ll create a longer line in your legs.
As with any silhouette of jeans, you do need to consider your body proportions and shape when shopping for the best wide leg crop jeans for you. If you need to discover or review how to determine your proportions and/or shape or how to dress them, click through to those previous posts. Knowing your body proportions and shape will help determine the ideal length or inseam and the best rise (from crotch to waistband). Understanding your body shape will clue you into features you need to avoid or gravitate to, such as front patch pockets, cargo side pockets or embellishments.
Another key to wearing wide leg crop jeans is to be mindful of fullness proportions. Because the jeans are fuller in the leg, you’ll want to do one of the following:
- wear a fitted shirt with the wide leg crop jeans
- wear a blousy shirt, but tuck it in at the waist
- wear a cropped, tapered top that accentuates the waist
- wear a cropped top and give it a little front tuck
What you don’t want to do is wear a full shirt and not tuck it. You need some definition, either in the total silhouette of the top or at the waist.
You can bet you’ll be seeing these wide leg crop jeans again. So I’ll style them a little differently next time. Meanwhile, if you have any questions, please let me know.
I’m including a shopping widget with the items I’m modeling here as well as others I’ve mentioned. I’ve tried to provide sizing information for everything, but if I missed something you need, just let me know.
And don’t forget, Talbots is winding up their Classic Awards event today. So these jeans and everything else at Talbots is 30% off + an additional 20% off. PLUS, Talbots is finishing with a bang by offering $50 off every $200 you spend. The savings will add up like crazy! And if you’re a Talbots Classic Awards member (sign up if you’re not!), you’ll earn triple points. Oh, and shipping is free, no minimum.
Finally, the white popover I wore in this post is almost sold out. But Madewell has their similar white popover 40% off today. Use code GOODVIBES to get 40% off tops at Madewell.
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Blessed for My Day
Yesterday it happened again. I was doing pretty well, practicing what I had “preached” in yesterday’s post. I got in my exercise and went for an additional walk. It was a beautiful, spring day. I got to talk with my mom a bit on the phone. And a sweet friend from church dropped of tulips, a kind Easter card and a roll of toilet paper (hahaha!) at our door.
But then I went to the grocery store. There people seemed solemn and of course we were all keeping our distance. The shelves and bins had plenty of products, but there were still gaping, empty spaces, too. By the time we left, my daughter and I were feeling like we were in a bad science fiction movie again.
So here’s what I’m reminding myself now. God is good. He’s got me. He’s not surprised by this virus or unaware. He is at work in the situation, throughout the world and in my life. I can trust Him. And so I will.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly. ~Psalm 84:11
Hi Kay!
Can I please get the worksheets? I have a lot of free time right now so I’d like to figure out how to dress for my size/shape! Lol! I love reading your blog😊
Thank you
Michelle
Hi Michelle. That’s a great plan. When you subscribe to my daily or weekly emails you should find the password to the subscriber freebies at the bottom of each email. Then just go to the Freebies for Subscribers page (located in the top menu) and use that password. The page will open and you’ll find all the work pages and other freebies there. Here’s the link to the page also: http://206.189.207.166/subscription/freebies-for-subscribers/
Let me know if you have any trouble but that should work! Have a great day!
Kay, you look great in the new crop pants. I checked out the straight jeans and really like them best. Also, your shoes look so comfortable yet snazzy in that red color. I checked them out also.
Thanks for reminding us of God’s love and His care for us!
Enjoy your day! The sun is shining here in PA. Hope it is shining there in Ohio.
Suzanne
Hi Kay,
I’m wondering how many inches should be between your ankles and the cropped wide leg jean?
I bought 2 pairs from old navy recently, I’m 5’6 but the hem falls right above my ankles, making them feel like floods! 😊
Hi Kimberly, yeah I like for the pants to be a little more cropped. You might would want to try the petite size in the ones you bought. But I’m 5’8″, so only two inches taller than you. I tried the Ann Taylor cropped jeans in this post: http://206.189.207.166/its-so-easy-wearing-green/ Is that how your’s look? I preferred the length of these from Talbots, but either is fine, just depends on your taste and the looks you’re trying to achieve. I think the longer ones would definitely look better with heels. And while I plan to style these with heels later, I won’t be wearing heels with them much.
Hi Suzanne! Yes, the sun is shining through some scattered clouds here in Ohio. I’m so thankful for sunshine these days! I actually like the straight leg silhouette better, too. But the wide leg jeans are definitely even more comfortable and cool. Thanks for reading!
Kay, you are wise and beautiful and I look forward to reading your blog each day. I just have to say though, that I am not a fan of the wide leg crop jeans. I cannot see how these are flattering in any way, on anyone. They seem to go against all the ‘rules’ of fashion. I’m usually pretty open minded with regard to fashion, but this is a trend I will NOT be wearing.
Hi Mary! thanks for sharing. Absolutely, to each her own. We’ll not all like the same things. I just really love these for the comfort and the coolness they provide. I’m not really concerned about showing off my figure or anything in them. I kinda see them as having the same silhouette as a skirt. But thanks so much for chiming in!
Kay, Your red shoes add the perfect pop of color to this outfit. Since I don’t like to wear closer fitting tops or tuck my tops in much, I know that the wide leg cropped jeans don’t belong in my closet. However, the straighter legged cropped jeans I have work. I’m glad you were able to get outside yesterday. What a nice gesture from your friend! I will be going in Publix today, where I know the current situation we are in will hit me in the face. Perfect BFMD! Enjoy the nice weather!
Thanks so much for sharing, Ginger. Take care at the grocery! It was just a little sobering to me. But I came home and spent some time outside and all seemed a little better. 🙂
I have a friend like that. She left me a new spring green bag at the door. Sweet surprise! The weather here is so nice so that helps. I throw my doors and windows open and listen to the birds. The wisteria in my back woods smells so good.
I am getting adjusted to the new pants and I love the way you have styled them. Being tall, you look elegant and classy but I’m short so I’d just look cute. I hate looking cute! At 77, you really don’t like to hear that. : )
Oh, I love wisteria! It does smell divine! Hahaha! yeah, I get not wanting to look cute. And you may be right. I do think these jeans are best suited to taller gals. Thanks so much for sharing, Eve.
The wide leg cropped pants look almost like culottes – even though most of those were more “skirt like”. I’m still debating about the cropped pants but may try both the straight cropped and wide leg cropped to see if they grow on me. 🤷♀️
That was so sweet of your friend to do that. During these times any act of kindness no matter how big or small is such a blessing.
Stay well and safe!
Yes, I think trying them on is key. My daughter, who works at Madewell, and I were talking this morning about these and other silhouettes of jeans. She said that so many women come into her store saying they only want this or that or they hate this or that. But so often they leave with the very thing they thought they couldn’t or wouldn’t wear…in their shopping bag! We really have to try things on to know how it will look on us. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
You know, I think this look is growing on me. You style it well!!!
Ahh, thanks Jena. I’m glad you liked it!
Thankfully we have had nice weather in Alabama since all of this started. I sit on by screened in porch every morning enjoying my coffee and then in the evening when my husband and I have a chance to catch up on our day; working from home. Both of us work in education and been doing this now since 03/16. Stay safe and look forward to your daily post.
Thanks so much for sharing a bit about your days, Wanda. I love a screened in porch. How wonderful!
I’m a petite so I have to try on pants always! And I really want some of those wide-leg crops but they might swallow me up. However – I’ve been looking for that EXACT jacket! I’m so glad you featured it! Now to be able to put on fun clothes and go out somewhere!
Yes! Hopefully sooner than later! Thanks for reading!
I have some wide leg crop jeans and I love them! Thanks for the tips. I’m 5’1” so I wear mine with a heel. Looks much better on me. I’m glad your daughter is with you. We are missing our family, but thankful for FaceTime!
Thanks so much for sharing, Joan. That provides a lot of insight for my more petite readers. I’m sure they do look best with heels. I’m so glad you enjoy them.
Hi Kay.
I just your article about wide, cropped jeans, and you look great in them.
I am a petite lady 5’, about 109 lbs, I love cropped pants, but I think I would look ridiculous in these.
Thank you for sharing, love your poplin shirt, I enjoy wearing white shirts in the summer. I live in Florida, so our summers are HOT, with high humidity, I find shirts to be cooler than Gap, short sleeve tees.
Thank you so much for sharing your new style.
Annie
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts, Annie! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. 🥰