There are different jeans for different occasions. Skinny jeans for a first date. Boyfriend jeans for chasing the kiddos. Distressed jeans for a casual day at the mall or park. Now flare jeans – flare jeans are when you’ve got a FLARE for the dramatic – and I’m all about it. 😉 They’re a total power pant that’s too under-utilized, but they’ve been popping up everywhere this season in big ways. I think flare jeans are here to stay through spring, so they’re the trend we’re trying today!

Let’s chat how to rock ’em + how to shop ’em for your own body type and closet. 🙂

(Only $29! + get an additional 20% off with code Erica1, similar sweater ) // Flare jeans (All ) // (loveloveLOVE these for winter weather! My exact pair is sold out now, but are similar, and so are !!) //

How to ROCK + SHOP Flare Jeans:

Don’t get TOO much flare. Leave the bellbottoms in the 90’s! Your flare should essentially be a slightly widened bootcut – not an actual bell shape, or something resembling two triangles at the bottom of your pants. When it’s too wide, it will actually make you look shorter, as opposed to longer + leaner!
High-waist or bust. Remember when the cool thing was to have 3-inches of belly-button hanging out ala Xtina or Britney? Like oops I did it again, I lost half my shirt! That coupled with bellbottoms is like a blast from the past – just bring out the Lipsmackers and Hit Clips and we’ve got ourselves a 90’s throwback. Opt for a high-waist whenever possible here for the most flattering cut, and to help make your legs look longer!

Tuck in the top. Also important for that longer look. Can we sense a theme? Ha! 😉 In general, flare jeans risk shortening your frame if you don’t let the rest of your outfit work for you instead of against you. Tucking in your top (ESPECIALLY if you’re already wearing a higher-waist!) will just further elongate everything.
Wear with heels for that mile-long look. And here comes the icing on the cake! Never ever ever (ever) wear flats with flare jeans. It’s like a cardinal sin of flare jean-ing. Always go for a heel, and I swear to you, your legs will actually look one mile long. You might have folks asking if you’re on the track team, because clearly YOU GO THE MILE. Bonus points if you can do a slightly pointed toe! This just streamlines your whole look, and it’s what every celebrity or supermodel does to look like a stringbean. Spoiler alert: they’re not really stringbeans! It’s all an optical illusion. 😉 And if you don’t believe me yet, here’s the challenge for you: Grab the worst kind of flare jeans you can find – we’re talkin’ low ride, bellbottom, lightwash, the works. Then, pair with the roundest-toe flats in your closet – bonus points if the pantlegs are now to the point of bending over because they’re touching the floor too much. And then make sure your top hangs well over the waistline and BUH BAM – you probably look short + stumpy, no matter your height or weight in real life. NOW…do everything we said to do here instead (tuck in top, put on heels, high-waisted flare that isn’t too triangular at the bottom, etc) – literal world of a difference.
Darker wash = classier look! This will be the case with ANY denim, but if you’re opting for a slightly classier look (which might be the case if/when you’re wearing heels with your jeans), choose a darker wash.
Make sure there’s no bend in the bell. If you’re wearing jeans that fit your body appropriately + you’ve got heels on, chances are, this won’t be an issue. But sometimes, pants are made weird! I had a pair of flare jeans arrive on my doorstep once upon a time that were made for a 5′ 10″ telephone pole, I kid you not. Not only could I not get them up my thighs, but when I held them to my body – the waistline would’ve been at, say, my boobs. I mean…I’m 5′ 7″ on a good day. So this is a clear indicator that someone messed up somewhere. Ha! Regardless, there should be no bend in the bell. The second there’s a bend, you shorten yourself. If there’s a bend, you need either a.) a hem, b.) higher heels, or c.) shorter pants.
Play with length. Especially since flare jeans can make ya look looooooong + lean when you work with them, don’t be afraid to play with length as much as possible here! Pair with something like a long trench to add some flow + flair right before the jeans flare out at the bottom. Tres chic.