Plus-size wide-leg jeans: a buying guide

What W sizes mean

In US women's sizing, a W after the number (14W, 16W and so on) marks a plus size. W sizes are usually drafted for a fuller body overall, with more room through the waist, hips, seat and thighs, rather than a straight size scaled up evenly. That's why a 14W often fits differently from a regular 14, even though the numbers match.

Brands don't all agree on where regular sizes end and W sizes begin, or on how big each one is. So treat the label as a starting point and go by the measurements. If a brand's size chart only gives you letters or labels, with no waist and hip measurements, that's a reason to be cautious.

What to look for

A rise that reaches your waist

A high rise that sits at your natural waist usually stays put better than a lower rise that has to grip across the hips and tummy. Check that the rise is long enough for your body, because a rise that's too short will tip the waistband down at the back and press at the front.

A waistband that doesn't roll

Look for a structured or shaped waistband. Very soft, stretchy bands are comfortable at first but can fold over when you sit. A shaped back waistband helps it stay close at the back instead of gapping.

Real thigh room

Wide legs are naturally generous below the hip, but the upper thigh, just below the crotch, still matters. If the jeans pull at the inner thigh when you sit, they'll be uncomfortable no matter how good the leg looks standing.

A seat that's shaped, not flat

Contour back seams, a curved yoke and well-placed pockets shape the fabric around your seat. A flat back pattern tends to wrinkle under the seat and pull the waistband down.

Fabric that holds its shape

Fabrics that bag out at the knees and seat by lunchtime are a common plus-size frustration. Denim with a little give that keeps its shape will look the same at 6pm as at 8am. See stretch vs rigid denim for the trade-offs.

A quick try-on checklist

• The waistband sits at your waist and doesn't fold over when you sit.
• You can slide about a finger into the back waistband while seated, not a whole hand.
• No pulling lines fanning from the crotch or across the hips.
• The inner thighs feel comfortable sitting, walking and on stairs.
• The seat looks smooth from behind, with pockets sitting on the seat.
• The hem skims the floor in the shoes you'll wear most.

For what each wrinkle means, see how jeans should fit.

Comfort tips

• Thigh chafing. Denim protects your legs from rubbing, but seams can still rub. Some people wear shorts-style shapewear or bike shorts underneath for an extra layer; our Smoothing Shorts have mid-thigh legs for exactly that.
• Sitting all day. Choose the size that's comfortable seated, not the one that looks best standing.
• A smooth waistline. A high-waisted brief or short under a high-rise jean can smooth the line under fitted tops. Entirely optional. Read about how shapewear works.
• Belts. If you size for your hips and have a little room at the waist, a belt with some stretch is more comfortable than a rigid leather one.

Styling a plus-size wide leg

Everything in our wide-leg styling guide applies. The short version: show the waist with a tucked, knotted or cropped top, pick shoes with a little lift so the hem skims the floor, and try one color from top to toe for a long, unbroken line. Longer layers, like a duster or a coat that falls past mid-thigh, look especially good over a wide leg.

Wear what you love. Guides like this one are about fit and comfort, not about hiding anything.

Reading a plus-size chart: worked examples

The method is the same as for any size: measure your natural waist and the fullest part of your hips, then find the first size whose waist and hip are both at least your own, using garment measurements. Here's how that plays out with the W sizes in our chart, listed further down this page:

• Waist 41", hips 50.5". 18W has a 49.2" hip, which is too small. 20W has a 41.7" waist and a 51.6" hip, both at least your own. Your size is 20W.
• Waist 44", hips 52". Your hips fit 22W (53.1"), but its waist is 43.3", under your 44". 24W, at 46.5" and 55.5", clears both. Go with 24W and expect a little room at the hips, which a wide leg wears easily.
• Waist 36", hips 47". 14W has a 46.1" hip, just under yours. 16W measures 37.8" and 47.6". Your size is 16W.

If you'd been guessing from your usual size, any of these could have gone a size the wrong way. Measuring takes five minutes and saves a return. Our measuring guide shows how.