How To Style Straight Leg Jeans in 2022 with Hottest Trends

Liz Allen December 12, 2021 | 08:41

Everyone’s talking about how skinny jeans are out and straight-leg jeans are in. Read on to know how to style straight-leg hair jeans with hottest trends.

Photo: KnowInsiders

A great option for nearly all body types is the straight-leg jean. Straight-leg jeans are renowned for being comfortable, casual, and sporting a fit that compliments a variety of shapes and styles.

With a variety of denim styles to choose from, picking the right fit for your body is essential to creating a well-rounded and current wardrobe.

What are straight-leg jeans?

Straight-leg jeans are jeans that maintain a consistent leg width from top to bottom. The legs do not taper near the ankle.

It is important to understand that the term “straight” refers to the type of cut, and not the fit. For example, you can have both a relaxed straight fit and a slim straight fit. Straight just means the leg is cut straight and does not taper below the knee.

You’ve more than likely heard of straight-fit jeans, but perhaps you are unsure if they would be right for you. In this article, let’s take a closer look at straight-fit jeans so you can find a style that meets your needs.

Skinny Jeans vs. Straight Leg Jeans – What the Difference?

Photo: Fabulous After 40

The main difference is the width of the leg opening. Skinny leg jeans have a closely tapered fit that hugs the thighs and calves and continues all the way down to the ankle. Straight-leg jeans fall straight down from the hip to the ankle. Although snug through the thighs, there’s more breathing room through the knees, calves, and ankles.

Who Can Wear Straight Leg Jeans?

Straight-leg jeans are considered a classic and look good on everyone because they’re more forgiving than skinny jeans. They’re particularly flattering on pear-shaped gals and inverted triangle bodies because the wider leg opening helps balance these body types.

Hourglass figures can also rock a pair of ladies straight leg jeans, and gals with wide calves appreciate the extra width through the lower leg area.

What Types of Straight Leg Jeans are Trending?

Cropped straight-leg jeans are trendy (although it’s still fine to wear classic length too).

High waisted straight-leg jeans are also trending.

Straight leg with a slight flare is fun.

Popular Hemlines for Straight Leg Jeans

This spring, there’s a huge focus on pant hemlines with something for everyone. Just as you can have your Starbucks coffee any way you like it, so it is with straight leg jeans. We see straight leg jeans with all sorts of hems like:

cool raw edge

elegant cuffed

boho fringe

rolled hems

asymmetrical hems

release hems

Key Tips for Wearing Straight Leg Jeans

• Tuck or front tuck your top: this defines your waist and gives shape to your body to avoid looking frumpy

• Wear shoes that elongate your legs: whether you’re short or tall, you can choose footwear that gives your legs the illusion of being longer! Strappy heels, pumps and loafers all do a good job of this!

• Show some ankle: showing some skin or wearing boots that fit your ankle tightly will give your legs definition. Especially great if you’re wearing non-fitted ankle booties (like my second picture), as it breaks up the width of the boot’s opening and your jeans.

• Get the right length: make sure your straight-leg jeans are ankle length. Too long and you run the risk of looking like your legs are short and stumpy. Also, opt for high-waisted to get more length!

How to Style Straight Leg Jeans in 2022

1. Oversized shirts

Photo: Your Next Shoes

There are two schools of thought when it comes to straight-leg jeans – you either love to wear them with oversized shirts or you think it’s a fashion faux pas.

It all depends on the silhouette you want to create. Most people prefer oversized shirts as it helps add to the casual aesthetic of the jeans and balances out the volume in the leg.

You can always get the best of both worlds by taking an oversized shirt and tying it in a bow at your waist to give it a more fitted silhouette at the waistband while leaving it oversized at your shoulders.

An oversized blouse is an easy way to make straight-leg jeans summer-appropriate and keep you cool as the temperatures start to rise.

2. Fitted tops

Photo: Your Next Shoes

If you want to contrast the volume in the leg of your jeans, tuck in a fitted shirt. This styling tip is ideal for high-waisted straight-leg jeans and allows you to accentuate the appearance of your waist.

Adding a fitted top can help make these jeans workwear appropriate. Most offices are becoming more casual with their dress codes and knowing how to style your favorite jeans can help you blend comfort and professionalism.

Throw on a blazer and some gold jewelry for an elevated look. You can style with textured loafers or slingback heels to wear to your next business meeting or conference.

Don’t overlook the faithful t-shirt or silk chemise – they’re a must-have for styling with straight-leg jeans. They’re comfortable and easy to wear, letting you layer them during the colder months or wear them solo during the summer.

A striped t-shirt and straight-leg jeans are a signature preppy look, while a silk vest top can make your jeans evening-appropriate with a blazer and heels.

3. Statement belts

Photo: Your Next Shoes

With most straight-leg jeans having a high waist, they’re perfect for tucking in shirts to show off the waistband. If you have a designer belt that you want to show off, now is the time!

Choose a style that will fit through the slots on your jeans. It’s usually best to choose a thinner belt width with a statement buckle.

If you want to give your look an extra ‘90s feel, you can swap out your leather belt for a chain style. It’s also another way to elevate these jeans and style them for drinks in the city or bottomless brunch.

4. Knitwear

Photo: Your Next Shoes

When the temperatures start to drop, no one wants to get caught in the rain in a dress or shorts. Throw on your straight-leg jeans and layer up with knitwear.

This ultra-comfortable look will keep you warm as the temperatures drop and make the perfect transitional outfit to wear on colder days throughout the year. Style with ankle boots or keep it more casual with white sneakers.

5. Oversized coat

Photo: Pinterest

Sometimes, the easiest outfit is a trench coat. Take a look at how wearing a classic trench coat — this one is extra chic in navy blue — pulls together no-effort jeans and a tank top, giving your easy separates a more polished feel.

How To Wear Straight-leg Jeans To Work?

As office dress codes get increasingly casual, jeans are your ticket to making formal workwear look laid-back. So, you can pair denim with luxe blouses, high heels, tailored blazers and gold jewelry, but never look over-dressed. There are a few rules to follow, though: dark washes generally look smarter, and distressing is a big no-no.

Spending more time on Zoom calls than in the office? Jeans should be your go-to: pair yours with a white T-shirt, then simply throw on a smart jacket for meetings.

How To Wear Straight-leg Jeans In The Winter?

Your straight-leg jeans are useful in every season: layer up with knitwear and ankle boots in the winter, then strip things back during the warmer months. This season, tuck yours into knee-high boots and top with a cozy roll-neck jumper.

How To Wear Straight-leg Jeans On The Weekend?

Comfortable and easily dressed up or down, straight-leg jeans are perfect for impromptu weekend plans. For instance, this Breton top and denim combo looks great with ballet flats (a big trend to watch out for right now) when you're chilling out, but can be elevated instantly with a black blazer and heels when you have five minutes to change for dinner.

How to Wear Straight Leg Jeans and Still Look My Age

This is the question of the moment! We all see GenZ’s wearing straight-leg jeans, but we’re not sure how to wear them without looking like a teenager.

Choose your footwear wisely. Lots of GenZ-ers are wearing clunky 90’s boots and chunky sneakers (like this) with their straight-leg jeans. To keep your outfit feeling age-appropriate and mature, try one of these shoes:

♦ slim white sneakers

♦ block-heeled ankle boot

♦ pointed or almond toe flat

♦ loafer

♦ heels

Accentuate your waist with a full or half tuck. With straight-leg jeans, it’s easy to lose your shape. So accentuating your waist is very important, and keeps your outfit looking polished instead of scrubby.

♦ Half tuck your shorter tops (long tops will get bunchy in the back when half-tucked into a high waist)

♦ Fully tuck your longer tops and blouses

♦ Try a bodysuit

Add classic accessories: Classic jewelry, a chic neck scarf, a classy watch, a nice leather belt, or another classic accessory will help your outfit feel age-appropriate and chic.

20 Best Shoes to Wear with Straight Leg Jeans

1. Classy Flats

2. Mules

3. Classic + Retro Sneakers with Straight Leg Jeans

4. Slip-On Sneakers

5. Chunky Sneakers

6. Strappy Sandals

7. Kitten Heels with Straight Leg Jeans

8. Pointed Toe Pumps

9. Flatforms

10. Sleek Slides

11. Earthy Slides

12. Sporty Sandals with Straight Leg Jeans

13. Clogs

14. Loafers

15. Open Back Loafers

16. Oxfords

17. Ankle Boots with Straight Leg Jeans

18. Chunky Chelsea Boots

19. Western Ankle Boots

20. Combat Boots with Straight Leg Jeans

Do They Make Straight Leg Jeans for Both Men and Women?

Yes, they make straight-fit jeans for both men and women. The straight-leg jean has stood the test of time and is a classic design popular among both genders.

Straight Leg Jean Fit for Women

Although many women’s jeans have a fitted shape, some women prefer the increased comfort and relaxed cut, so they opt for straight-leg jeans instead.

Although they usually have a more relaxed fit, straight-leg jeans, when tailored and styled correctly, can be very flattering while still offering a comfortable and casual look.

Straight Leg Jean Fit for Men

As for men, straight-leg jeans have often been hailed as the classic fit for men, when compared with boot-cut or skinny jeans. Their relaxed but tailored fit can be worn in both casual and more formal environments and help to accentuate a fitted waist and long legs.

Who Shouldn’t Wear Straight Leg Jeans?

This comes down to a question of preference. Straight-leg jeans are generally okay for all body types, but it just depends on what makes you feel most comfortable.

If you prefer a sleeker look, then a slim fit might be a better option for you.

If you have skinny legs and prefer to show some shape, you may need a slimmer cut.

Ultimately, fashion is all about your expression. If you feel most comfortable in straight-leg jeans, then that comfort and confidence will radiate from you and help pull your look together.