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How to Style Flared Jeans: 4 Ways to Style Flared Jeans

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Mar 9, 2022 • 3 min read

Flared jeans come in various styles and cuts. You can wear flare jeans with a casual, retro, boho, or chic outfit.

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What Are Flared Jeans?

Flared jeans or flare jeans are trousers that start getting wider at the knees, widening as they approach the ankle. The bottom part of flared pants can feature a conservative flare, like bootcut jeans, or have dramatic wide legs. Bell bottom jeans are flare pants that feature a drastic, bell-shaped flare from the knee downward.

The style was seen as popular starting in the 1960s and then became one of the late-twentieth century’s more significant fashion trends. Denim flares became ubiquitous because, like jeans, they are comfortable and easy to accessorize with various tops and shoewear.

5 Ways to Style Flare Jeans

Stay on top of the jean trend by rocking your flared jeans with these outfit ideas:

  1. 1. Keep it simple with a T-shirt. If you want to try out flared jeans but aren’t sure where to start, you can’t go wrong with a tee. A crisp white top works well with these flared pants, and if you want to make it a touch edgier for going out at nighttime, you can toss on a leather jacket as well.
  2. 2. Go for all denim. Wear a black tee and pair a denim jacket with your flared jeans for a cool, all-denim ensemble.
  3. 3. Try smart casual with a blazer. You can tuck a button-down shirt into your pants and toss on a favorite blazer to create an office-friendly, casual workwear look.
  4. 4. Create a summer ensemble. These blue jeans can go with a crop top, beach hat, and sunglasses for a breezy styling.
  5. 5. Get cozy in a cardigan. When going outside in the fall or staying indoors in the winter, a cardigan or turtleneck will be just the piece of clothing to put on with your pair of flare jeans to keep warm.

4 Types of Flared Jeans

Flared jeans come in a few different styles, from bootcut to dramatic wide-leg pants. Consider the following types of flared jeans:

  1. 1. Bootcut jeans: Bootcut jeans are the least dynamic of flared jeans. Flare jeans generally go outward at about a twenty-degree angle—bootcut jeans will have a more conservative flare, only jutting out at the calf a tiny bit to make room for boots.
  2. 2. High-waisted flared jeans: High-waisted jeans sit higher on your waist, just below the navel. These trendy pants go well with tank tops, tees, and other tops that can easily tuck into the jeans to accentuate the waist.
  3. 3. Cropped flare jeans: You can easily crop flare jeans at home, trimming off the bottommost part of the pant legs to give them a fun look. Keep the dangling threads, or snip these off for a cleaner edge.
  4. 4. Wide-flare jeans: These flared pants have flares extending at a wider angle. This look is reminiscent of 1970s style and is fashionable today.

3 Tips for Wearing Flared Jeans

Get the most out of your flared pants ensemble by following these easy fashion tips:

  1. 1. Pick proper footwear. Bell bottoms can look baggy without some elevation to keep the denim material off the ground. Sport wedges, ankle boots, or any shoes with a slight heel to help keep your look vertical and your pants from dragging.
  2. 2. Accessorize with a belt. If you are wearing a crop top or are tucking your shirt into your jeans, you’ll have an opportunity to show off a belt that can match your outfit or star as its statement piece.
  3. 3. Distress your jeans. If you found perfect-fitting jeans at the store but want them to feel more worn-in, there are several ways to distress your pants. Use a shaver to make cuts then rub the pants with sandpaper to smooth out rougher surfaces.

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