The Definitive Denim Style Guide

Flared Jeans

Who can wear them? Almost everyone, with a few caveats. Only the tall and slim tend to look good in high-waisted cuts. Full thighs? Skip loose sailor legs for a pair with fitted thighs. Caution, petites: Hemming chops off a chunk of the flare; seek out short inseams.

How should they fit? Snug around the hips and the waist, but loose and flowy from either the thighs or the knees down. The pants should skim the floor and completely cover your footwear or touch just the tops of your shoes without breaking in the front.

How to Wear Them

Go 70s with a peasant top, or “try a tee and a blazer for a look that’s relevant, not retro,” says Lizanne Crotty, a fit expert at Denim Habit, in New York City.

To buy: Citizens of Humanity jeans. Banana Republic top. Schutz heels. Brave Leather belt. Ann Taylor necklace. Ben-Amun bracelets.

Which Shoes Go Best With Flares?

Balance billowy legs with heels. The wider the flare (say, 10 inches or more), the chunkier the shoes should be. The added benefit of wearing wedges or platforms is that you may not have to tailor the typically too-long hems.