The Most Flattering Pants for Your Body Type

We recognise that determining your body type can be aggravating. There’s no universal index of key terms or measurements and even if you find a system you like (check out ours), it doesn’t always apply to the article of clothing you’re trying to flatter your figure with. For example: it may be helpful to know you’re an inverted triangle when searching for a blazer, but what does that mean for skirts? Or trousers? And what do you do if you identify with more than one body type? Oh, the confusion!

We’ll cut to the chase: we know you most likely understand what flatters your figure best, but we also know there are a lot of options for trousers in the world, and because we’re going into autumn (finally!) we thought we’d highlight a few pant silhouettes that will keep you looking amazing based on your shape. Scroll down for our suggestions, and if you have any you want to share be sure to chime in in the comments!

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The Shape: Tall and Straight
(Image credit: Style du Monde)

If you have a boyish shape, opt for a pair of high-waist pants that define your midsection. They'll draw attention to and flatter the area between your shoulders and hips effortlessly. If you like accessorizing, you can also add a belt like Veronika Heilbrunner.

Shop Our High Waist Pick:

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The Shape: Apple or Pear
(Image credit: Girl With Curves)

For women who have a fuller midsection, wide-leg trousers are fantastic for elongating the silhouette. We particularly love how Tanesha Awasthi of Girl With Curves incorporated hers into a power dressing ensemble. 

Shop Our Wide Leg Pick:

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The Shape: Hourglass
(Image credit: Style du Monde)

A pair of cropped trousers are fitting for a hourglass silhouette because they don't appear overhwelming on the figure. A slight flare can also help accentuate curves in the right places.

Shop Our Cropped Pick:

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The Shape: Plus Size
(Image credit: Garner Style)

For plus-size ladies who are looking for the perfect pair of pants, we suggest turning to mid-rise trousers with slight tapering at the hem. A wide-leg may overpower the look and a skinny silhouette could create imbalanced proportions. Chastity Garner-Valentine of Garner Style hit the nail on the head with these silky drawstring pants.

Shop Our Tapered Pick:

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The Shape: Petite
(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Teeny frame? No problem! Go for straight-leg trousers. They’ll add length without creating too much volume to your lower half. A pair with front pleats are also helpful for elongating the silhouette.

Shop Our Straight Leg Pick:

Nicole Kliest
Freelance Contributor

Nicole Kliest is a freelance writer and editor based in New York City who focuses on fashion, travel, food, wine, and pretty much anything else that's amusing to write about. After graduating from Pepperdine University with a bachelor's in journalism and creative writing, she started her career back in 2010 as Who What Wear's photo editor and throughout the last decade has contributed to publications including Fashionista, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, The Zoe Report, PopSugar, Fodor's Travel, and several others. She also copywrites and has worked with clients such as Frame, Sea, 3x1, Intelligentsia, and others to develop brand voices through storytelling and creative marketing. She's very passionate about the ways we can improve our sustainability efforts in the fashion industry as well as cultivating content that's diverse and inclusive of all people. When she's not checking out the latest restaurant opening in her West Village neighborhood or riding her bicycle along the West Side Highway, she can be found scheming her next trip somewhere around the world. (Up next is Vienna.)