How to Style Baggy Jeans and Conquer the Oversized Denim Trend

Baggy jeans are undeniably having a moment. Katie Holmes is walking around New York City in the widest wide-leg pants known to man, and Jennifer Lopez wears the same supersized Gucci jeans every other day. All the fashion influencers you follow are talking about barrel jeans being the breakout Fall 2024 denim trend—including Marie Claire's editor-in-chief, Nikki Ogunnaike, who raves about the silhouette in her Self-Checkout newsletter. Perhaps you've even found yourself Googling "how to style baggy jeans," feeling equal parts intrigued and intimidated by the oversized denim that's everywhere you look.

You can, of course, pull pointers from the celebrity set for tips on styling oversized denim. To start, the Hollywood crew has a soft spot for pairing baggy jeans with various heels; Zendaya dresses her wide-leg denim up with a blazer and Christian Louboutin's So Kate stilettos, while Dakota Johnson pairs her baggy jeans with slingback Gucci heels.

Or, you can take outfit cues from Fashion Week street style, which often has more realistic alternatives than an A-lister's top-to-toe, right-off-the-runway designer look. Plus, the industry's showgoers have been running around New York, London, Milan, and Paris (and Copenhagen, too!) in big, baggy jeans for several seasons, meaning they've covered almost every aesthetic.

Keep scrolling for eight baggy jeans outfits across the style spectrum, from minimal and buttoned-up to eccentric with a retro twist.

A Sweater and Simple Accessories

Essentially the sweatpants of jeans, baggy denim is your weekend best friend, taking you from brunch back to your couch with absolutely no effort. Tuck in your best cashmere sweater and add a belt and structured bag for a chic look that takes no time away from your Sunday self-care routine.

Everyone Loves a Lady Jacket

To pull off such a statement style at the office, balance the heaviness of the pants with a polished lady jacket in a neutral color. Add in classic accessories, like pointed-toe pumps and a clutch, to ground the look without being too casual.

Tight on the Top, Baggy on the Bottom

This look is a simple matter of proportion: since the bottoms are big and incredibly baggy, a smart bet for a top is to opt for a slim-fitting silhouette. Slip into your best slingback heels for a final element of ladylike polish.

Feminine Flair

This outfit takes the wide-length cut up a notch with a dramatic width and crisp white color. Seemingly unpolished, the heaviness of the baggy cut actually holds its own as a fashion-forward silhouette that demands attention when paired with an equally bold puff-sleeve top.

Denim on Denim

Tick two trending boxes off in one go by wearing baggy jeans in a denim-on-denim outfit. A jean jacket in the matching wash and a final accessory offering metallic flair will do you good.

When in Doubt, Add a Classic Trench

Ah, but, of course, you can't forget the styling magic of the best trench coats. This crisp and classic outerwear is a solid finishing touch for almost any outfit, including blue baggy jeans and a neutral knit tank.

Personal Flair

Instead of focusing on identical washes or the rules of balancing proportions, you can also let your personal style intuition guide you. A sporty baseball cap, a furry statement coat, and a great pair of leopard print heels will help you walk on the wild side.