Workshop: styling JCrew wide leg jeans

Runcarla

The JCrew wide leg jeans arrived last night. They are 98%cotton/2% elastane - thick and warm. I usually wear a size 8 bottom (30in waist, 38in hips) but have jeans in my closet from size 28 to 31 that fit! The size 29R fit best in store, so I ordered a size 29T to get the length I needed. I feel like I should have sized down because there is a lot of room around the waist. My inseam is tall, but not my rise. There is room to tuck things in though, and I don't mind a less 'squeezey' fit - so will keep and see if I can shrink them in the wash and dry.

I've experimented with a few different top styles and footwear, but I'm looking for more ideas. Have you added wide legs to your closet and how are you wearing them?

#1-2 Levi's flannel top and red Converse sneakers
#3-4 navy and black cotton knit turtleneck - MWWH and Steeve Madden Chelsea boot
#5-6 Armor Lux striped T and Skeetchers sneakers

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5 years ago

General

27 replies

Latest reply was from Gaylene

karen13

Veteran

I really like them with the untucked tops, but with the tucked top looks too big - maybe wear them bit and see if the stretch, and try a size down before you commit? I find things shrink much more in length than width so the shrink migth not be successful.

Of course, somethings it is just luck of the draw with the size variation within a size. It is a pain for both petite and tall lengths that you ahve to order.

5 years ago

Gretchen

Veteran

I love the length, but agree these look roomy. I find sometimes I have to size down when ordering a Tall length - maybe the retailer assumes taller people have bigger bones/hips?

Love seeing the red sneakers peaking out under the hems!

5 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I love these on you. I prefer the untucked tops. The solid black top and striped top look amazing. I know nothing about PPL but the length looks good to me. I wonder if you sized down then tucked tops would work. I find trying to shrink jeans never works. But you may have better luck.

5 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

I can see what you mean with the sizing of these. I wonder if the size smaller would work, it depends on how snug they would be? With a high rise jean I usually order one size larger than my lower rise jeans because I like them looser around my waist in case I decide to eat a large meal or need to do some Yoga with a group of kids! (-:

5 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

They look super with the untucked tops. I can't tell if they are too roomy or not. We have got used to such snug fits with skinnies, right? I would wear them around for.a while and see if they stretch too much.

I only have wide leg crops, no long ones, so I'm not much help with styling, but I'd try with all your shorter jackets, all your footwear (to compare) and as many different tops styles as you can rustle up.

5 years ago

Anonymous

Cool jeans , and the length looks right, but not sure about sizing down. The side pocket kind of pulls open as it is which makes them look a little tight in the hip - or is that how it's sewn in? I wear my wide leg long pants with platform sneakers and like the footwear you are wearing here too.

5 years ago

April

Veteran

I'm *so* tired of jeans that squeeze the leg -- these look so refreshing to my eye that I may not be objective or helpful when I say I love the look!

5 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Update: wore them all day. Very comfy through hips and stomach, but very loose at waist. They feel like they have stretched a little. I turned them inside out and measured: widest part (hip) 40in., waist band 34in.

The ease through the hips and tummy is good, especially if I am going to try tucking, but the waist is too loose. Maybe a trip to the tailor for a waist dart?

Lisa p, I see the pocket thing. Pants are not too snug. Slash pockets can be tricky, but from the front these don't bulge open like some I've tried. I do have a belly pooch and tucked in a lot of flannel shirt fabric, so that may be the cause. I actually did an Angie copy cat with the turtleneck sweater under the plaid shirt (see below-keeping it real and catalogue pics)

Will play with them some more. Maybe I just look better with untucked tops? Especially high rises? I really like the inseam length and the fuller leg. I'm kind of hoping JCrew makes these in white for summer.

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5 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am with Lisa on not liking how that pocket looks from the side. The jeans are not too small and the pocket design makes them look that way. Otherwise they look good to me - and you probably won't be sidling up to people sideways that often anyway !

5 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I was going to mention the pockets pulling open but Lisa p. Beat me to it. I like them. I have a pair of dark wash and think my eyes need to adjust to the wide legs. I am tempted to shorten mine to look more like culottes but have delayed that until we see what the spring styles are. I have usually worn tops untucked or with a banded waist. I like these best on you with the top untucked although tucked seems more fresh.

5 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

These jeans look great on you and a smaller size may make the pocket issue worse, so I would just get the waist-line altered which is not a massive change to make.

I love the lines of these jeans on you, the wide leg is lovely and very 70's. I prefer the tops untucked too, although the tucked in tops work. Sometimes I get pockets pulling on skirts and pants and get a tailor just to sew them down - a simple yet effective solution. I rarely wear things in my jean pockets.

5 years ago

Cee

Veteran

Them jeans were made for walkin'...

5 years ago

always trying

Veteran

I like the way they fit. You are making me want to try them.

5 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I think that these look really good on you,l like with the stripy top especially.

5 years ago

kkards

Veteran

i like them as styled, but i would take a them in at the waist...i'm one who finds even a really small nip at the waist can make a huge difference....i'd be really careful about trying to shrink them as you are likley to find that they will shrink the most in the lenght, which was the whole reason you bought them...
for additional ideas, i really like the striped tee as is, but i'd also try tucking it...also, maybe try a knit top tucked with a blazer or a cardigan...

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5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Super cute look. I like that t-neck and plaid shirt especially

I’d have liked to see a size down too. Hmmm. Hard to tell. Length looks fab. I suspect a size down with the bagging out may have been dead right.

5 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I like them on you. You have the figure for this style.

I'd try them myself if the rise was just a 1/2 inch lower.

5 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You could sew those pockets shut if you want...but if you "blouse" your top a bit when tucking it will help to balance the look a bit, I suspect.

5 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I would just have the waist taken in a bit. Otherwise I think they’re great.

5 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I am with Janet, just a wee tuck at the waist and then I like the ease of them. I like the red shirt and the striped top with them the best.

5 years ago

annaleigh

Active Member

My favorites are Carhartts in 0 or 2 (can't tell much difference). I do not wear my jeans inside my boots - any boots! BUT Carhartt has stopped making jeans in the small sizes. GAP went away from the nearest town. American Outfitters are okay for style but not for riding or sport (again, can't tell the difference between 0 and 2) - they fit too low on the hips. L L Beans are too large. Levis fit okay - are as expensive as Carharrt - but are ummm, just not quite right. Loft jeans are perfect, but not something I would ride in.

NO high rise jeans!

I wear cammies tucked in and turtle neck, shirt, and/ or sweater on the outside. I do not wear any panty that tries to cut me in half. There are TWO dress up bras and the rest are sports bras (like band-aids).

5 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

The length is perfect, and I like the tops tucked and untucked. I love the footwear you are showing with these. PPL for the win!

As to the fit, it's hard to tell from the photos, but if you could order the size down and compare, it might help put the question to rest.

I like kkards' inspiration pics for additional styling ideas.

I haven't gotten any full-length wide-legs. Mine are a cropped look, with a wide cuff (pics below).

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Anthropologie

Pilcro | Anthropologie Pilcro Folio Ultra High-Rise Cuffed Jeans

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5 years ago

nemosmom

Veteran

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I am curious if you ended up keeping these jeans, Carla?

I picked up a similar pair from Madewell (along with a pair of the mustard cords you bought - I am stalking your closet, apparently... ) and am looking for styling ideas.

Madewell

Tall Slim Emmett Wide-Leg Crop Pants: Corduroy Edition

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Madewell

Emmett Wide-Leg Jeans

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4 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

@nemosmom-I did not keep the jeans due to fit issues. They ‘grew’ with warmth and felt like they were slipping down all the time. On the other hand, I am wearing the Madewell corduroy crops A LOT! 8 wears since I got them mid October. I can see wearing them through to April - after which it will be too warm for corduroy.

FWIW - cropped bottoms clear the height of snow, and I can close the gap with boots. I wore this combo (a repeat) yesterday - except with a black beret (and snowman pin on beret!). It has been snowing for 24 hours.

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4 years ago

nemosmom

Veteran

Thank you for replying! Slipping/sagging jeans are the worst!

It's great to hear you've gotten so much wear out of the cords. Wow! 8 wears already!! They are so soft and yummy.

4 years ago

slim cat

Veteran

I had similar experience with flare jeans that I ordered in long since in regular length it was too short. Same thing - bigger in the waist and even longer in the rise - returned without much deliberation ( it was like totally different jeans ).
Your styling is on point and there are already many great suggestions.
I guess the search for a wide perfect jeans continuous .

4 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

You’ve actually pinpointed the issue, Carla —in those jeans the rise in the tall size falls way too high on your body. The only fix would be to remove the waistband, cut off 2-3 inches from the top of the pant, re-size the waist, re-cut the pocket, and then sew the whole thing back together so the upper part of the pant fits your body without gaping, pulling, and drooping—an adjustment way more complex than a simple waistband tweak. Those jeans needed to go back.

4 years ago

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