If you want to look super stylish, but with a certain air of haven’t-tried-too-hard nonchalance, a pair of palazzo pants may hold the answer. In this article you’ll find the most beautiful palazzo pants outfits to choose this summer, with plenty of tips on how to wear palazzo pants.
If you don’t already have a pair of palazzo pants in your closet, first here are just a few reasons why you may want to add some.
1. They are lightweight
If you’re looking for a pair of pants for summer or for a vacation, palazzo pants are perfect. They’re made of flowy, lightweight fabric, so you won’t get too hot in them, and they’re easy to pack as they won’t take up much room in your suitcase.
2. They’re flattering
Palazzo pants don’t cling, but instead skim over your hips, legs and thighs so they can be incredibly flattering
Judith @stylecrone (read her style interview here), above, looks incredible in her wide, black pants, teamed with touches of gold.
Recreate her outfit with this similar button down top, palazzo pants, booties, belt and necklace.
3. They come in lots of prints and patterns
Because palazzo pants are often vacation wear, they come in plenty of interesting prints and patterns so you can really have some fun with your outfit and express your personality. But, equally, you can find some fabulous plain colored palazzos.
4. They can make your legs look longer
If you wear your palazzo pants with heels and a shorter top, they can make your legs look incredibly long.
5. They can balance your figure
A pair of palazzo pants can be a great way to balance out your silhouette. For instance, if you are an inverted triangle, a pair of wide palazzo pants can add width to your bottom half – therefore balancing out wider shoulders. Or, if you are a pear shape, you could choose a pair of darker colored palazzo pants to skim over your thighs and a brighter top.
Greetje @no_fear_of_fashion (read her style interview here), above, looks chic in a pair of wide leg pants and a cream sweater that balances her inverted triangle body shape.
Steal her look with this similar sweater, pants, bag, pumps and earrings.
6. They can be a fabulous beach cover up
If you want to add a cover up to your bathing suit while on the beach, a pair of palazzo pants can be a stylish alternative to a kaftan.
What defines palazzo pants?
So now that you’ve looked at the reasons you might want to wear a pair of palazzo pants, what exactly defines them?
Well, palazzo pants are wide pants. But not just any wide pants. The word palazzo means palace in Italian and, just like a palace, palazzo pants are roomy. They are designed to flow out from the waist, and usually are made from lightweight material.
A pair of stylish palazzo pants can be as comfortable as wearing a pair of pajama pants but can also look incredibly chic.
Best palazzo pants for your palazzo pants outfits
If you don’t already have a pair of palazzo pants in your closet, let’s take a look at some of the most stylish palazzo pants you could choose. Below are some of my favorites:
Designer-inspired palazzo pants
You’ll see from the major trends for summer 2021 that seaside prints featured on the catwalks of Versace and Stella McCartney. The Scotch and Soda pants (below) give a nod to this with a starfish print.
satin palazzo pants
With a rumple satin effect and pull-on styling, the black palazzos from Vince Camuto (below) are easy to style for day or evening.
Vince Camuto rumple satin crop wide leg pants
pleated palazzos
If you have an inverted triangle figure, the voluminous pants (below) from Vince could be a good option as they will balance your wider shoulders.
evening palazzos
You can wear palazzos at any time of day. The pants (below) from Alex Evenings, which feature a chiffon overlay, would be particularly good for evening or a special event.
Stripe palazzos
If you want to make your legs look longer, a pair of striped palazzos could be perfect. The stripe culottes from Vince (below) are timeless so you can wear them summer after summer.
muticolored pants
You’ll find plenty of different styles and patterns to choose from when looking for palazzo pants. The graphic pattern on the COS pants (below) was created by handpainting over a loom.
Emma @sisterhoodofstylenz, above, opts for leopard print and adds height to her look with her platform sneakers.
Check out this similar top, belted jacket, printed palazzos, sneakers and sunglasses.
paisley palazzo pants
If you have a bohemian style personality, you may want to opt for a pair of paisley print loose pants like the option from Karen Kane (below).
Karen Kane paisley pull-on wide leg pants
floral palazzos
Below is another patterned option for you, this time in an oversized floral print. With a pull -on style, they could be perfect worn with sandals for the beach.
Roxy floral print wide leg pants
white palazzo pants
With a deep slit and a tie waist, the Vince Camuto pants (below) come in either black or white and would be perfect with your vacation looks.
Vince Camuto tie waist slit cuff wide leg pants
gray palazzos
Lightweight and with an easy pull on style, the gray pants (below) could be styled in many different ways and could even be worn for work if you need to go into the office.
olive pants
You may usually associate olive green with a pair of cargo pants, but you could choose a lighter option such as the Michael Stars wide leg pants (below).
Beach cover-up palazzo pants
With slits up the side, the Billabong wide leg pants (below) would be ideal pulled up over your bathing suit if you want to go from the pool to lunch.
Black beach palazzos
The Chelsea 28 pants (below) have crochet detailing to the side and a tassel tie waist.
Chelsea28 smocked split leg pants
amazon palazzo pants
If you’re looking for a casual style that you could wear for loungewear or casual days, the palazzos from Amazon (below) could be a good option. Reviewers say they are soft and comfortable.
boden pants
Boden is a good place to look for printed summer pants. The tie-waist pants (below) come in either this subtle paisley print or a bolder tropical option.
Made by Johnny palazzo pants
The Made by Johnny pleated palazzos (below) are a well-reviewed option that are relatively inexpensive. They come in 19 different colors.
Made By Johnny pleated wide leg palazzo pants
lounge palazzo pants
A pair of lounge pants that you could wear for pajamas, or casually with sneakers for running errands, the Socialite rib knit pants (below) come in a choice of soft neutrals.
Socialite rib knit wide leg lounge pants
Stretchy palazzo pants
Wear with your shorter tops for casual wear or yoga. The Arolina wide leg pants (below) come in a choice of 24 different patterns and colors. Reviewers say they are soft and silky. Some say they are too long, so these may be ideal if you are tall.
Arolina wide leg palazzo lounge pants
what to wear with palazzo pants
Do you have a favorite pair of palazzo pants from the ones above? What should you wear them with? Let’s take a look.
palazzos with tops
When it comes to tops to choose to wear with your palazzo pants, it is often best to choose a shorter top to keep the balance of your outfit flattering. So, you could choose to wear your palazzos with a crop top, provided they are high waisted enough.
You could also choose a tie waist or belted top to ensure your waist is defined.
Sophie @stylemixers, above, opts for classic shades of black, white and tan.
Steal her look with this similar tee, palazzo pants, sandals, belt bag and earrings.
Romwe tie front knot tee – Nordstrom rib tank – Loveappella off the shoulder top – Halogen wrap knit top
Dressy tops to wear with palazzo pants
When considering dressy tops to wear with your palazzo pants, think about balance. Generally, it’s best to have a more form-fitting top as your palazzo pants are wide. However, rules are meant to be broken and wider tops can work too.
Maudie @my_silver_years, above, chooses a tighter top with flowy pants.
Recreate her outfit with this similar top (plus size option here), palazzos and sandals.
If you’re choosing a patterned pair of palazzo pants, a plain-colored top can work really well, allowing your palazzo pants to be the hero piece of your outfit.
Boden embroidered linen top – Cinq à Sept sleeveless silk top – FRAME shirred shirred halter top – BOSS mock neck silk top
jackets and sweaters
Just as with your tops, a shorter jacket or cardigan will look good with your palazzo pants. Another alternative is a belted jacket. Or, you could choose a longer, sleeveless vest.
Charlotte @charlotte_lovesstyle, above, shows how you can wear a longer top with your flowy pants.
Check out this similar striped top, pants, coat, sneakers, bag and sunglasses.
EIMIN button down cropped cardigan – Design by Olivia draped cardigan vest – KUT from the Kloth denim jacket – Club Monaco belted blazer
What shoes go best with palazzo pants
As you are likely to be wearing your palazzo pants for summer, a pair of flat sandals could be a good option. A pair of wedges or block heels will also look good. You can, of course, wear thinner heels with your palazzos – just be careful you don’t get your heels caught in the hem of your pants.
Deborah @stylishmurmurs (read her style interview here), above, chooses block-heeled peep-toe booties.
Steal her look with this similar loose sweater, pants, booties. necklace and earrings.
Tory Burch logo flip flop – Jeffrey Campbell chain slide sandal – Gentle Souls wedge sandal – Steve Madden ankle strap sandal
accessories to finish palazzo pants outfits
Of course, it’s up to you and your individual style personality as to what accessories you use as the finishing touches for your palazzo pants outfits.
But, generally, palazzo pants will work well with other summer-type accessories such as rattan bags and tassel jewelry.
Dayle @artfulcitystyle (above – read her style interview here) opts for circular themed jewelry and reflects this with her shoes.
Recreate her outfit with this similar top, pants, sandals and necklace.
Nordstrom colorblock straw tote – btb Los Angeles pearly clutch– Halogen patterned fedora – Area Stars tassel drop earrings – Kate Spade New York huggie hoop earrings
Palazzo pants outfits
Below, you can see the palazzo pants from above as well as the tops, jackets, shoes and accessories put together in one capsule wardrobe.
You could definitely switch the tops and pants around to create many more different outfits.
Shop all items above here:
Continue reading:
- The Best Pants And Skirts To Fit And Hide Your Belly
- The Best Cargo Pants Outfits To Wear For Any Occasion
- How To Wear Capris And Cropped Pants – An Extensive Guide!
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Feature image by Maudie @my_silver_years
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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I love the palazzos that Maudie has on and the other pair that are olive in color; however, I guess apple figures shouldn’t wear them.
But, I do love them!!
Can always find great information here on what to wear for my apple figure. This site is a blessing!!
I’m an Apple and I wear Palazzos with a blouson top that softly ties at the hip to one side and have had lots of compliments.