Why You Should
Calia Studio High Rise Wide Leg Pant Review 2026
Introduction
The wide-leg pant has settled in as a summer wardrobe fixture, and at $44.99, the Calia Studio High Rise Wide Leg Pant is positioned to be the version most American women actually buy. Calia lives exclusively at Target, which means this pant competes less with Lululemon and more with Old Navy's Active line and Amazon athleisure. The category it occupies is crowded precisely because the demand is real: a lightweight, high-waisted wide-leg pant that works at brunch, at a festival, and folded flat in a carry-on.
The design brief here is clear. Moisture-wicking fabric, a high-rise silhouette, and Summer 2026 tropical prints targeting the TikTok-driven festival and vacation market. Owner feedback suggests Calia has largely delivered on those promises, with a repeat-buy rate that is unusual for a sub-$50 product. That pattern is worth paying attention to: buyers who repurchase in multiple colorways are telling you something about both fit and satisfaction that star ratings alone cannot.
There are two real flaws that buyers surface consistently, and both are specific enough to matter depending on your body and your plans. Petite shoppers and anyone who keeps their phone in their pocket will run into them immediately. Read the Fit and Cons sections before adding to cart.
Price
At $44.99, the Calia Studio Wide Leg Pant sits at the lower edge of what you would call legitimate athleisure. Old Navy's PowerSoft Wide-Leg Pant retails for $34.99 to $39.99 and uses a similar recycled polyester-spandex construction, but owners report faster pilling and a less substantial waistband. Spanx's AirEssentials Wide Leg Pant covers the same use case at $110 and delivers a more refined fabric hand feel and longer inseam options, but there is no UPF rating and the price is 2.4 times higher.
At $44.99, the Calia pant is worth buying. You are not paying for a ten-year investment piece; you are paying to solve the problem of finding a breathable, flattering wide-leg pant for summer that does not cost $100. On that specific brief, it delivers.
Materials and Construction
The fabric is 78% recycled polyester and 22% spandex, woven lightweight with a moisture-wicking finish and a UPF 30+ rating. The recycled polyester content is not a marketing badge here; the fabric hand feel is noticeably lighter than a standard polyester blend, with a slight crispness that helps the wide leg hold its shape rather than collapse against the leg in heat.
The 22% spandex content is higher than many comparable pants in this tier, and buyers report that the fabric recovers its shape after a full day of wear without sagging at the seat or knees. The hidden elastic waistband sits inside a fabric casing rather than exposed elastic, which contributes to the cleaner silhouette and prevents the waistband from leaving a visible ridge under fitted tops.
Construction at this price point is never flawless, and the Calia pant's weakness is in the pocket bags, which are stitched shallow and narrow. The seaming at the inseam and outseam is consistent across reported owner feedback with no mentions of early unraveling after standard washing, but this is a pant built for one to two seasons of regular use, not years of weekly wear.
Comfort
Out of the box, owners consistently describe the waistband as the standout feature. The hidden elastic sits flat against the body without digging, and multiple reviewers specifically note wearing these through a full workday without adjusting the waistband once. That is a meaningful data point for a high-rise style, where a poorly engineered waistband will fold or roll by midday.
Breathability is the second area where verified purchasers exceed expectations. Buyers report staying comfortable in 90°F heat, which is a reasonable real-world test for a fabric marketed at summer outdoor use. The moisture-wicking finish does its job in moderate exertion; owners note that darker colorways show sweat marks during high-output activity, which makes the lighter tropical prints and pale solids the better functional choice in summer heat.
The wide leg silhouette means airflow around the lower body is genuinely improved compared to a straight-leg or tapered cut. For sedentary and light-activity wear, this pant is comfortable by any practical measure. For studio workouts or sustained cardio, the waistband rolls down for a portion of buyers, which is a structural limitation of hidden elastic rather than a defect specific to individual units.
Fit and Sizing
Size down one size. Buyers in this size range consistently find the waist runs one full size large, and sizing down delivers the high-rise compression and defined silhouette shown in the brand's styling images. The wide-leg opening itself is generous and does not change substantially between sizes, so the fit decision is entirely about the waist.
The inseam length is the other variable that matters here. Buyers under 5'4" report the wide leg drags on the ground in standard sizing, and Calia does not currently offer a petite-specific inseam. If you are under 5'4" and unwilling to hem, this pant is not the right fit unless you plan to wear it with a heel or platform sandal that compensates for the length.
For buyers at 5'5" and above, the length lands well. The inclusive size range runs XS through 3X, and Target stocks extended sizes in most colorways in-store, which is a genuine advantage over brands that relegate 2X and 3X to online-only ordering.
How to Style It
Festival or concert look on a budget: Pair the pant in a bold tropical print with a white ribbed bralette and a sheer kimono from Amazon or Target's own Wild Fable line. Add flat strappy sandals to maintain the leg length. Total outfit cost stays under $80.
Brunch or market Saturday: The pant in a bright solid, a fitted white linen-blend tank tucked in the front only, and low-heeled mule sandals. The high waist does the work of structuring the outfit; the wide leg keeps it relaxed. A woven straw tote completes it without adding cost.
Warm-weather travel day: The tropical print version folded into a carry-on alongside a lightweight fitted long-sleeve UV shirt. The quick-dry and wrinkle-resistant fabric means you can wear it off the plane without it looking like you slept in it. Pair with white sneakers and a crossbody bag for transit comfort that still photographs well at your destination.
Alternatives
Old Navy PowerSoft Wide-Leg Pant, $34.99–$39.99: Costs $5–$10 less and is widely available in stores. Choose this if your primary concern is price and you do not need UPF protection or the higher spandex content; owners report earlier pilling compared to the Calia, which matters if you plan to wear and wash weekly.
Athleta Elation Wide Leg Pant, $89.00: Uses a proprietary four-way stretch woven that owners describe as softer and more structured than the Calia fabric. Choose this if you want a pant that works in a professional casual setting as well as athleisure contexts, and the $44 price difference is within your budget.
Girlfriend Collective Orbital High Rise Wide Leg Pant, $78.00: Also uses recycled polyester with a higher fabric weight, and offers a longer inseam option of 32 inches alongside the standard 30 inches. Petite buyers should look elsewhere, but tall buyers at 5'9" and above who find the Calia inseam too short have a direct upgrade path here.
Pros
Cons
Current Price
$44.99
Available at Target.com
Buy It Now →Price verified as of June 22, 2026. WYS may earn a commission on purchases.
The WYS Verdict
The Calia Studio High Rise Wide Leg Pant is a strong buy for buyers at 5'4" and above who want a breathable, flattering wide-leg pant for summer travel, festivals, or casual wear at a sub-$50 price. The waistband comfort and heat performance are the standout strengths; the shallow pockets and petite-unfriendly inseam are the reasons to pause. At $44.99, it outperforms the Old Navy alternative on construction and undercuts the Athleta and Girlfriend Collective options by $44 to $33 for buyers who do not need the premium fabric upgrade.
Score: 7.8 out of 10
Buy it if you are 5'4" or taller and plan to size down one from your usual size. Skip it if you are petite, need functional pockets, or plan to wear it for anything more active than a studio class.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Calia Studio Wide Leg Pant worth $44.99?
Yes, at this price point it delivers waistband comfort and heat breathability that its closest competitor, the Old Navy PowerSoft, does not match. It earns a 7.8 out of 10, with the score held back by shallow pockets and a waistband that rolls during high-activity use.
Who does this pant fit best, and should I size up or down?
Size down one from your standard size; the waist runs large and sizing down produces the high-rise fit shown in product images. Buyers at 5'4" and above will get the best length result; buyers under 5'4" should expect the wide leg to drag unless they plan to hem or add height with footwear.
Will the moisture-wicking fabric actually keep you cool, or is that just marketing?
Owner feedback confirms the fabric performs in genuine heat: buyers report comfort in 90°F conditions, which is a credible result for a 78% recycled polyester, 22% spandex woven with a moisture-wicking finish. The caveat is that darker colorways show sweat marks during moderate activity, so lighter colorways are the better functional choice in summer heat.
What is the best alternative if this pant does not work for my needs?
If you are petite or need a longer inseam option, the Girlfriend Collective Orbital High Rise Wide Leg Pant at $78.00 offers a 32-inch inseam alongside the standard 30-inch, making it the cleaner solution for taller buyers who find the Calia too short and petite buyers who need a hemming-ready extra length to work with.