Do you remember a couple years ago when some millennial or Gen Z or some girl decided skinny jeans were over and posted about a bajillion flipping times on TikTok and apparently we were supposed to throw out every tailored pair of pants we owned because a 12 year old didn’t think we were cool.

Whatever. Tailored pants and skinny jeans are super flattering on Petites of all shapes and sizes. So if you love them, keep them. Now, the Gen Z ding dong aside, it turns out that oodles of my clients were like, well, comfortable pants would be nice and I am kind of bored and, and, and, and so I pulled a tailor and shook it off and searched for pants my clients would like.

The Perfect Petite Pant Formula: Why Wide Leg Pants Matter

It’ll happen again and it’s best. We’re prepared. Which is why I created your three part perfect Petite pant formula and made it the second step in the S.P.A.R.K. style system. Because when you’re short, there is nothing more challenging than finding pants and denim that are the right length, make your butt look great and are comfortable when sitting, standing or running around.

So in this episode we’re going to chat about one of the three parts of the pant formula, which is leg shape, specifically wide leg pants. Who they’re perfect for, what to wear with them to create the most stylish and flattering outfit.

And by the time we’re done, you’re going to know exactly what to wear with those wide leg pants hanging in your closet. If adding more makes sense, or if you should say, nope, not today, Satan. I’m going to wait for the next trend.

Understanding Your Petite Body Shape Before Styling Wide Leg Pants

In case you’re new here, first, thank you so much for listening. You being here has absolutely made my day. Now we’re going to break the wide leg pants down by each of the signature body shapes. So if you haven’t already, you’re going to want to take the Petite body shape quiz.

It’s only seven questions, it takes about two minutes, and I promise this episode and all the rest of the episodes on this channel will, will make a whole lot more sense. Now if you’re thinking, I don’t need to take the body shape quiz, I already know I’m an apple or a pear or a banana or whatever, you might want to reconsider because we talk about body shape differently around here.

Now all you have to do is hop over to InsidePetitestyle.com that’s where the quiz lives full time. You’ll get your results and we’ll be ready to go. Now we’re going to break down by each of the body shapes first, but then at the end you’re going to want to hang around because we’re going to talk about specific styles.

The Goal: Creating Balance for Every Petite Body Shape

Style tips for Petites that makes wide leg pants a whole lot more flattering. Let’s do a, quick goal refresh when it comes to dressing for our body shape. And that is if you have a balanced body shape, you want to keep the balance or add it strategically on the top or bottom, or if you don’t have a balanced body shape naturally, then that’s where we’re going to use the styles to create the illusion of balance.

Signature Shape #4: Wide Leg Pants Are Your Perfect Match

So let’s tackle signature shape number four. Girl, these might just be your perfect pants because with your smaller hips and thinner thighs, the added volume of those wide leg pants or denim will help you create the illusion of balance that we’re shooting for so, so easily.

Best Outfit Formulas for Shape #4 Petites

Now let’s talk about what to pair them with. A, brilliant outfit formula for you would be to pair those wide leg pants with a tailored top. So think silk shell or a lightweight cut cotton button down or a fitted thermal or a tailored blazer.

Anything that keeps it trim on top and wide on the bottom.

Signature Shape #3: Balanced Petites and Wide Leg Styling

All right, let’s jump into signature shape number three. Since your shoulders and bust measurement are the same or nearly the same, you’re going to want to wear an outfit formula very much like the ones that we just talked about because you’re adding volume to the bottom already.

Styling Tips for Balanced Petite Figures

So you’re going to want to keep two slimmer silhouettes up on top. So all of the things we just talked about. Plus also consider tissue tees and wrap tops and sweaters, which are especially smart for women who have anything extra in the middle, meaning like the stomach and the hip area that they like to camouflage.

Signature Shape #6: Can Voluptuous Petites Wear Wide Leg Pants?

We’re ready to talk about signature shape number six and also have an honest moment. Are wide leg pants the best for you? Probably not. Can you wear them? Of course you can. Will it take a little bit of extra work also?

Yes. So that’s definitely something to consider when it comes to. Are these pants going to make my life easier when I’m getting dressed tomorrow morning?

How Voluptuous Petites Can Make Wide Leg Pants Work

Now there’s a couple tips that make wearing wide leg pants easier. And the first is to consider the material, Because we know volume comes from the style and the material.

So if the style is already adding volume, then all of a sudden the material choice is crucial. So when women with a signature shape number 6 shop for wide leg pants, look for a lighter, thinner weight material like Ponte or linen.

That way you’re not getting even more volume in addition to the style choice. The second tip is, if you love the look and the comfort of a wide leg pant, consider going with something that’s more of a straight leg shape. This will give you much the same feel and look without being quite so difficult to style.

The Victoria Beckham Method: How Petites Can Master Wide Leg Pants

All right, are you ready for a Victoria Beckham moment? I hope that was a yes. Did you know she was short? Now, depending upon what results Google serves up, to you, she’s anywhere between five two and five four and a quarter. Seven years of working with short girls, the only women who include a fraction of an inch when they tell you about their height are Petites.

So. So my money is on her being Petite. She wears wide leg pants all the time and does it exceptionally well. Here’s how she always pairs them with either super high stilettos or big tall platforms.

The Secret to Long Legs in Wide Leg Pants

And here’s the important part, the hems of her pants always graze the top of her toes, which does an absolutely brilliant job of creating the illusion of much longer legs. So for all of you Petites and signature shape number sixes out there, especially big shoes compensate for lots of styles that might not be perfect, but we love anyways.

Now you might be hearing some of those outfit formulas and feeling very drawn to one shape over another. Trust that instinct and then confirm it by taking the quiz.

Universal Wide Leg Pants Tips for All Petite Women

Let’s talk universal style tips for all short girls.

Getting the Rise Right for Your Petite Frame

The first one is rise. Now we go into rise, a bit more in other episodes about pants, but bottom line is, is that the rise is where the waistband hits you. When you get to be a certain age.

And that number is different for every Petite Your middle section can get a bit troublesome. That’s a nice way of putting it. Now, if that’s the case, you don’t want the waistband to land at the widest part of your stomach. Or above is fine.

Below might be okay. Although that’s also where the dreaded muffin top thing was invented, so be cautious with that.

Should You Size Up in Wide Leg Pants?

The second thing is, is you might want to consider going up a size listen. We’ll talk about size a lot, it’s also just a number, so it really doesn’t matter.

Try your normal size and then also look at one size larger. Because one of the best things about wide leg pants, that slouchy, cool girl vibe. That only happens when they look effortless, and loose. Plus, if there’s pleats in front, you don’t want them to pull apart, because that makes our middle section, no matter how flat or not it is, look at least poofier.

Your Wide Leg Pants Style Challenge

Are you up for a style challenge? Good. Then tomorrow morning, take those wide leg pants you have in your closet for a test drive using one of the Petite style tips we chatted about, and then let me know how it goes. You can leave me a Message over on InsidePetitestyle.com or send me an email.

Be sure to listen to the next episode when we’re going to chat about ways to use color to support what you just accomplished and look longer and thinner.