Inspiration Board: Renee - Wide Leg Pants

One of the most important trends currently taking the fashion universe by storm is the wide leg pant. Shove over, skinny jeans ;). I love the wide leg look - it's amazingly chic when done right- but, it can also be a bit tricky. It can't be styled any-old-how; it has to be done right. Renee gives us a look at how it's done in her recent Be A Star event appearance. First, let's talk fabric. Wide legs are a place for drapey materials: crepe, fine wool, silk. This is not a place for canvas or chino. Denim can work, if it's a not a stiff denim and if the cut is right. Speaking of cuts: look for something that at least mentions your waist. Boy-cuts are not your friends here. Pieces described as "slim through the hip" is what you're seeking. Once you've got your hands on the right pair, the important styling consideration becomes defining your waist. Skip it and you'll hate wide legs forever. Keep it in mind and you'll find the comfort and flowy quality of the wide pant to be your new love! How to do it? One way is like Renee - with a slim fitting cropped top. The gap between the bottom of your top (lol - how's that for wordplay? ;)) and the top of your bottoms is what creates the waist visually. You can also do this with a skinny, curve-hugging longer top. Think 'ribbed turtleneck' for a totally 70's vibe. Play that up with chunky-heeled suede ankle boots and a pendant necklace (or 3 :)). You can also create a waist by tucking in a blouse or button-down shirt for a blouson look (blouson is when a piece or outfit is cinched or collected at the waist so that it billows (i.e. blouses) forward above the cinching. It's a forgiving and super-chic look that can be done with every variety of shirt from drapey silk to plain cotton to sheer voile. If you're a flats kind of girl, here's where ya bring them in for easy sophistication. Another fun alternative is to pair a tunic top with the wide leg but!...make sure you add a belt. Belt = waist. This look has a definite artsy, confident vibe which can be accentuated with a touch of leopard print, or a strong statement color. If laidback looks are more your thing, you can also create a waist via the half-tuck. This styling is slouchy and lends itself well to grunge or boho pairings: boyfriend sweater, band tee. Finish it off with casual boots - a vaguely Western or moto style works perfectly. Hope you have some fun styling a wide-leg pant soon! XOs