As I mentioned in a recent review of linen pants, I’ve been skeptical of wide leg pants on petites. I always doubted I could pull off the look. As a skinny jeans devotee, the farthest I’ve strayed is an occasional pair of joggers (such as in this review and this one). But sometimes, you don’t want your legs encased in close-fitting pants, especially in the summer. Wide legs convey effortless elegance and I wanted that look too. Could I wear them even though I’m not tall and willowy?
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Who What Wear Wide Leg Tailored Crop Trouser – $32.99, Plus Size (on sale!) // Who What Wear Sleeveless Top // Who What Wear Platform Heel // Who What Wear Bucket Bag
On a recent trip to Target, I saw this mannequin’s outfit, which made me think I should give wide leg pants a try. My size was unavailable at that store, so I went home and jumped on my computer. That’s when I discovered that these pants, by Who What Wear, also come in olive green. Decisions, decisions.
Who am I kidding? I ordered both colors.
Who What Wear Wide Leg Tailored Crop Trouser // Uniqlo Palm Print Silk Shirt [similar] // Eileen Fisher heels (on sale!)
My first impression of the pants is that they seem surprisingly well made (they were made in China). They looked more expensive than the $32.99 price tag. The pants are 100% cotton, a medium weight, and while not stiff, they had some structure to them.
Who What Wear seems to run a tad smaller than other Target brands. My normal pants size fit, but I wouldn’t want to visit an all-you-can-eat buffet in these. They are a touch snug at the waist and the fabric doesn’t have any give, but one size up was definitely too loose. Described on the website as mid-rise, these trousers actually seemed high rise to me. I measured the rise and it’s about 12″ and they go up to my navel, even a little above it.
They held up well after a day out and about. Yes, they wrinkle a little bit. After all, they are cotton, but yay for cotton! (I’m trying to stop buying synthetic fabrics as they’re bad for the environment.)
Who What Wear Wide Leg Tailored Crop Trouser // Uniqlo Striped Boatneck Cotton Shirt [similar here, ethical version here] // Uniqlo Braided Belt [similar on sale] // Leopard Print Flats [similar]
Why These Wide Leg Pants Worked on Petite Me
- The inseam was about 25″ and while the pants fall higher on the mannequin and the 5′ 10″ model, the length is not bad on 5′ 4″ me. I think the trick is that they fall just around my ankle bone.
- The high waist gives the illusion of a longer leg.
- Wearing a shoe that exposes the top of your foot also helps — anything to elongate the leg!
I’m pleasantly surprised that these work on me. A petite person can wear wide leg pants after all!
If you’re interested in these cropped trousers, I’d snag them while you can. At the time of this post, the olive is available, but the brown is already running out of sizes. They seem like a good wardrobe staple that you can easily build outfits around.
P.S. How ethical is Target? Looks like they are taking it seriously.
