Wide-leg trousers are the most stylish of silhouettes to wear right now. The ultimate in comfort and universally flattering, they've dominated the runways (and our Instagram feeds) for several seasons, and I'm not mad about it.
Also called wide-leg pants or palazzo pants in the US, everyone from Victoria Beckham to Frankie Bridge, Trinny Woodall and even Princess Kate has been seen wearing style.
From breezy linen styles to luxe crepe pieces and sophisticated wool-blend pairs, the versatile trousers looks great with stiletto or platform heels, but dressing them down is simple too - just throw on a cool pair of trainers.
Celebrities and royals wearing wide-leg trousers
Trinny loves her wide-leg trousers and was way ahead of the curve, frequently stepping out in them as far back as 2017. The Trinny London founder most often styles hers dressed down with a pair of trainers, but we've also seen her wear them with platform heels. She often adds a sequin blazer or dresses in all one colour for a chic tonal outfit.
Also a favourite of Frankie Bridge, from cargo styles to tailored black wide-leg trousers, she usually goes for a high street piece, pictured above in a bargain pair by Stradivarius.
Fashion royalty Victoria Beckham demonstrates her love for wide-leg trousers in both her street style and eponymous fashion collections, while actual royalty Princess Kate wears hers for public engagements. We've seen her multiple times in the same (sadly now sold out) navy pair from Jigsaw, which she's styled with a contrasting white blazer and stiletto heels. When the Princess of Wales is seen in a trending piece, we know it has longevity and is likely here to stay.
How I chose the best wide-leg trousers
- Fabric: Wide-leg trousers have become a timeless capsule wardrobe piece, so it's worth investing in a pair made from a high-quality fabric that you can wear year after year. Now spring is approaching, you might want to choose something cooler like a linen-blend for the new season, and I've taken this into account in this edit.
- Versatility: I know some people like to wear theirs with trainers while others prefer heels, so I've found styles suited to both.
- Price: My edit includes pieces at a wide range of price points, from luxe £178 pairs from Reformation to wide-leg trousers at £24.99 from H&M.
M&S Linen Blend Wide Leg Trousers
M&S Wide-Leg Trousers
Sizes available: UK 6-24, Petite-Long
Colours available: Black, White, Grey, Oatmeal, Blue, Navy
Shipping: £3.99 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £60
Returns: Free within 35 days
Marks & Spencer just dropped this pair of linen-blend wide-leg trousers for spring. Available in six colours and an inclusive range of sizes, they have a comfy, elasticated high-rise waist and fasten with a drawstring. The linen material is lightweight and will keep you cool through the warmer months.
& Other Stories Wide-Leg Trousers
& Other Stories Wide-Leg Trousers
Sizes available: EUR 32-44
Colours available: Black, Beige
Shipping: £4 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £80
Returns: Free within 30 days
& Other Stories' wide-leg trousers are cut with a high waist and press creases for a chic, tailored look. They feature duo slanted pockets and a zip fly with hook and bar closure. Style them with a shirt and oversized blazer or dressed down with a white tee and bomber jacket this spring.
Reformation Mason Wide-Leg Trousers
Reformation Wide-Leg Trousers
Sizes available: UK 4-16
Colours available: Oyster, Black, Olive, Khaki, Black & White Stripe, Chianti, Charcoal, Slate, Woodland Brown
Shipping: £6 Standard Delivery or free over £100
Returns: £6 within 30 days
Reformation's Mason pants are fitted at waist with a relaxed fit through the hips and thigh. They're made from a lightweight woven fabric that's comfortable all year round. I love this cream pair worn as a tonal outfit, but they're available in eight other colours, from black to khaki.
Abercombie & Fitch Sloane Wide-Leg Trousers
Abercombie & Fitch Wide-Leg Trousers
Sizes available: Waist size 23-37, Extra Short-Long
Colours available: Black, Brown, Navy, Taupe, Grey, Green, Light Brown, Cream, Tan
Shipping: £3.95 Standard Delivery
Returns: Free within 60 days
If you're looking for wide-leg trousers with just the right fit, Abercrombie's tailored pair come in the most inclusive size range I've found, with four different lengths and waist sizes 23-37 inches. I love them for their flattering fit and high quality fabric.
Mango Striped Linen Wide-Leg Pants
Mango Wide-Leg Trousers
Sizes available: UK 4-14
Colours available: Ecru
Shipping: £3.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £30
Returns: Free within 30 days
Striped wide-leg trousers are trending this spring and I think this linen pair from Mango is going to sell out fast. Featuring a tailored cut with chic darting, they have a high-rise fit and there's a matching waistcoat available.
H&M Linen-Blend Wide-Leg Trousers
H&M Wide-Leg Trousers
Sizes available: XS-XXL
Colours available: White, Beige, Black, Khaki, White/Blue
Shipping: £3.99 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £30
Returns: Free within 28 days
At just £15.99, H&M's wide-leg trousers are some of the most affordable I've found. With their soft line-blend fabric and high, elasticated waist, they have a classic cut and comfortable fit.
Arket Lyocell Linen Wide-Leg Trousers
Arket Wide-Leg Trousers
Sizes available: EUR 32-44
Colours available: Beige
Shipping: £5 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £125
Returns: Free within 30 days
Arket's wide-leg trousers are made from a lightweight linen-blend to keep you cool this spring. The high-rise full-length style feature a thick waistband and pleating at the front for a smart finish.
Reiss Abigail Wide-Leg Trousers
Reiss Wide-Leg Trousers
Sizes available: UK 4-18, Regular-Long
Colours available: Navy, Black, Neutral
Shipping: £5.95 Next Day Delivery
Returns: £1.95 within 28 days
The sell-out Abigail wide-leg trousers from Reiss have dropped back in stock and they're available in black, navy or netural. Featuring a comfy striped elasticated waistband, the sports luxe style can be worn everywhere from the office to running errands.
M&S Side Stripe Wide-Leg Trousers
M&S Wide-Leg Trousers
Sizes available: UK 6-24, Short-Long
Colours available: Black, Buff, Midnight Navy
Shipping: £3.99 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £60
Returns: Free within 35 days
Marks & Spencer's side stripe pair are so popular thanks to the soft and comfortable jersey fabric, and practical touches like zipped pockets and the adjustable drawstring waist. Available in three different colours, we love the cream shade styled with a leather jacket.
River Island Wide-Leg Trousers
River Island Wide-Leg Trousers
Sizes available: UK 6-18
Colours available: Cream, Beige, Brown, Grey, Green
Shipping: £4 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £50
Returns: Free within 28 days
River Island's pleated wide-leg trousers are smart and tailored but have a comfy high-rise elasticated waist. Made from a lightweight crepe fabric, they feature side slip pockets and a zip fastening.
ME+EM Travel Tailoring Palazzo Pants
ME+EM Wide-Leg Trousers
Sizes available: UK 6-16, Short-Regular
Colours available: Navy, Black
Shipping: £4.95 Standard Delivery
Returns: Free within 28 days
Royal-favourite ME+EM is known for its luxurious collections. Made from smart, heavyweight ponte-jersey tailoring, the fabric of these wide-leg trousers retains its shape despite its stretch and soft feel. The cut is high-rise with a dramatic silhouette and they come with invisible zip pockets.
New Look Stone Wide Leg Trousers
New Look Wide-Leg Trousers
Sizes available: UK 6-22
Colours available: Black, Grey, Stone, Olive, Khaki, Navy
Shipping: £2.99 for Standard Delivery or free on orders over £50
Returns: £1.99 within 28 days
New Look just dropped these wide-leg trousers in six chic colours, and I predict they're going to sell out fast. They're just £32.99 and you'll be reaching for them on repeat.
Zara Wide-Leg Trousers With Double Waistband
Zara Wide-Leg Trousers
Sizes available: XS-XL
Colours available: Navy, Beige, Black
Shipping: £3.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £50
Returns: £1.95 within 30 days
I love the fit of Zara's wide-leg trousers, and they've just dropped this sports luxe pair. Ultra comfy, they feature an elasticated contrast waistband with an adjustable drawstring, plus flattering darts at the front.
ASOS DESIGN Wide-Leg Trousers
ASOS Wide-Leg Trousers
Sizes available: UK 4-18
Colours available: Grey, Black, Navy
Shipping: Free Standard Delivery
Returns: Free within 28 days
These affordable wide-leg trousers have a high-rise, adjustable waistband and functional pockets. Made for easy styling, I'd wear them with a white tee and trainers. They also come in black or navy.
