24 Ways to Wear Palazzo Pants and Feel Fabulous - InStyle

Palazzo pants are very much back, and not the over-the-top patterned versions you may be familiar with from the '90s. These very loose pants are having a resurgence thanks to the wide-leg pant trend, but there are plenty of ways to pair tops and shoes to match this style. Yes, palazzo pants can absolutely be dressy and work-appropriate! 

A moment of context: There's not too much difference, practically speaking, between wide-leg and palazzo pants. Palazzos are usually wider through the hips and legs, with a more flowy, less rigid look that can flare at the knee. The good news is that the updated palazzo pant comes in a variety of materials (we're also seeing the palazzo jean and the palazzo trouser—more on that in a second). There are also different rises to fit more shapes and silhouettes. 

If you're looking to dip a toe into the trend, or just need to know how to style yours (don't forget the right shoes to match), then keep scrolling.

Palazzo Jeans

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First, we've got the palazzo denim. A super wide-leg jean is easy to style: just treat it like any other wide-leg pant in your wardrobe. To balance the volume on the bottom, stick to a structured top—like this racerback tee—along with a cropped jacket that doesn't go past your hips.

Patterned Denim Palazzos

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Similarly, a darker-rinse jean can feel a bit less overwhelming if you're hoping to de-emphasize the width of the pants. Here, the stripe detailing at the calf matches with a cropped red jacket.

Casual Palazzo Pants

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These pants are incredibly casual but still detailed, with a side zip, logo, and piping. A matching top worn open with a more structured shirt underneath ties the look together, though feel free to button the shirt to your hips if you'd rather not show off your stomach.

Traditional Patterned Palazzo Pants

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If you want to channel a vintage palazzo pant (think: wild patterns), opt for something that's just a little nicer in terms of material. These look to be silk or satin, with a matching top and structured vest for balance.

The Palazzo Trousers

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You could also opt for a cropped palazzo style if the long hem doesn't work as well for your body. These are high-waisted, so they still feel long, and the collared shirt tucked into the pants offers some much-needed definition at the waist.

Flowy Palazzos

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You can never go wrong with flowy wide-leg pants that look and feel a little like pajamas. The stripe brings back a little flair—and makes it clear that these are trousers, not PJ pants—and pairs well with a casual sneaker.

Palazzo Styled Vintage

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If you're feeling adventurous, another way to style palazzo pants is by tying a sweater or jacket around your waist and really leaning into the volume. The jacket matches the pants here, so together they almost look like a skirt over pants (very mid-'00s!).

Matching Palazzo Set

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Technically this is a tracksuit, but a matching tube top over palazzo trousers is a surprisingly work-ready look, especially if you wear a collared shirt underneath. Chic, pointed-toe heels are a perfect pick to peek out from underneath the huge pants.

Palazzo Pinstripe

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A tonal palazzo-trouser look can really play up the slouchiness of the pants. Add an oversized sweater on top—yes, you can go slouchy on top and bottom—and a more structured collared shirt underneath.

Palazzo Party

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Palazzo, but make it fashion! Now that you know wide-leg pants can be bedazzled with sequins, it's about to become the new night-event outfit you've been looking for.

Rainbow Palazzo

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Since the colorful palazzo pant is naturally more casual, if you want to wear the style to work, go for a matching top and structured bag and shoes. Here, it's playful without looking like exercise-wear.

Sheer Palazzo Pants

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Opting for a sheer or semi-sheer palazzo-pant style is relatively straightforward. Here, the sheerness starts past the hips—so there's not a visible underwear line—and the vertical stripes help create a long thread from waist to foot.

Ripped Palazzos

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Palazzo denim with distressed details—which sounds like quite a mouthful—is easier than it sounds to get right. Just keep the pants as the focal point and let the other elements of the outfit be simple.

Wide, Wide Palazzos

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So you want to wear the widest-leg pants of all time? We get it! To feel put-together (instead of like you're wearing clown pants), choose a thicker material like wool, match the rest of your outfit to the same color, and pick contrasting shoes to mark the end of the pant line.

Tonal Palazzos

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This tonal look gives a similar vibe, just in muted shades. The outfit is transformed from event-ready to work-ready with a longer jacket and boots instead of heels, but it's still polished.

All-Red Palazzo Pantsuit

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On the other end of the tonal spectrum, we have this all-red look with palazzo pants extending all the way to the ground. If you're going maximalist, really lean in on the oversized element with each piece, and top it off with a fun bag.

Palazzo Leather

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A leather palazzo pant is a fun way to bring the trend into your wardrobe with a more surprising material. Opt for a longer cut to make your legs look as long as possible, and as usual, go with something cropped in the top.

Cocoon Palazzos

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Unlike the traditional palazzo-pant shape, these jeans taper ever so slightly from calf to ankle. This extremely subtle cocoon shape will help if the flare-palazzo option feels too intimidating to you.

High-End Palazzo Pants

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A luxe material with a hint of shine is the best way to make palazzo pants feel dressy. This beige pair is also just a tiny bit shorter—there's no pooling at the bottom—so they look and feel more work-appropriate.

Tulle Palazzos!

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Tulle palazzo pants? Yes, please. This is the most unconventional take on the trend we've seen so far, but it feels so Sex and the City that we're not even mad. You can also use a sheer tulle skirt over white palazzo pants for a similar aesthetic.

Palazzo Tracksuit

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Palazzo sweatpants aren't a thing we knew we needed, but this tracksuit is just so fun thanks to the wide leg and striping detail. A formal shoe indicates that you're channeling a curated sporty-chic look.  

Palazzos for Petites

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Lest you think that the palazzo pant is only for tall people, this look is the perfect way for a petite person to go for the super-wide leg. (Caroline Daur is only 5'6", apparently.) There's structure on top, and a clearly defined waist thanks to the slightly crop-top length of the shirt. Heels add height, and the black matching sunglasses help tie everything together.

Long Palazzo Pants

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This palazzo jean has the most pooling at the bottom—it's probably a good four inches longer than an ankle-length pant—but pairing it with a chunky shoe keeps it from dragging on the ground.

Cotton Palazzo Pants

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Just in case you think palazzo pants are just for winter, swapping wool out for cotton is a great way to continue the trend in the warmer months. Plus, the extra space in the leg is breezy and lovely when it's hot.