BY: VANESSA ROBERTS
With fashion’s recent 70’s come back, talk has inevitably turned to the issue of flares. Can you? Should you? Would you? ….How To?
Let’s face it: we’ve all become adept at shrinking into snug denim. Just about everybody embraced the skinny jean phenomenon so much so that it was impossible to imagine another denim shape existed!
MORE – Spring Denim: Your 15 Page Lookbook
But now the tables turn again, and the fickle gaze of fashion lands on an old favourite. Flares are back! Are you ready to make the transition back into wider leg jeans?
I tapped leading Personal Stylist and Wardrobe Consultant Sally Mackinnon to explain how to wear flares this season.
Says Sally: This season’s flares offer comfort and style, with freedom of movement, and they are much wider than the bootcut jean you might be familiar with.
The proportions are more deliberately fashioned than the average bootcut, and have the advantage of being flattering on many frames.
Slim through the thighs and with a comfortable high rise, flares lend a flattering falling focus to those with a bigger caboose or thicker upper legs, and when paired with the right pieces, are every bit wearable.
But what if you’re petite?
Yes, the look does favour a taller person, but if you are petite it is possible to avoid looking overwhelmed in this season’s flares: Simply style with a heel to help draw the eye up, away from the floor.
Combined with a soft blouse or tucked in tee, this will balance the volume of fabric flowing from waist to foot. The length of the jeans has its advantages. If the length is rocked just right, from the high waist to the floor, it gives anyone the illusion of a longer leg.
Let’s look at a couple of ways to wear this season’s flares:
1. Casual with a jacket: Fitted and cropped on top lends a perfect balance to the looser legs of the flared pants. This outfit is total utility with up to date style.
2. Teamed with a Tee: another casual favourite. This look comes around again and again, because no-one is ever really tired of the cute shape it gives and everyone loves a look that says ‘weekend’.
3. Double Denim Duty: Head to toe in the most durable, comfortable fabrics around? Yes, please. Look to contrast colour or thickness of your denims to make sure the combination keeps interest. And tie in a third, non-denim piece. If it’s a denim shirt have a great belt. If it’s a denim jacket, a cute tee.
Here’s how the celebs are wearing flares:
Kirsten Dunst has opted for a classic look, wearing her denim flares with a simple, white tee and a classic blazer.
Vanessa Hudgens takes her denim flares back to the 70s by teaming them with a retro styled, fringed top and long beaded necklaces.
Kate Hudson shows how to add elegance to an outfit by choosing a fabric other than denim for her flares. She’s gone for classic simplicity with high-waisted white flares worn with a simple crop top and pastel overcoat worn open to show her outfit.
No Comments