In the 1960s, flared jeans permeated the fashion scene, and by the 70s, the style had garnered a substantial clientele among musicians and fashion enthusiasts alike. Among the several iterations of jeans or different types of pants for women, flare jeans have managed to stay fashionably relevant over the years. Even when skinny jeans were popular among the masses, flare jeans remained a wardrobe staple for the niche crowd.
It’s 2025, and flared jeans are having a moment again. This time, more influential and high-fashion-core. Join us as we delve into the styling aspects of this silhouette to create looks that are both fashionable and aspirational.
General Styling Considerations: How To Style Flare Jeans?
There are certain factors that you need to consider to get the most out of your flare jeans: proportion, balance, and the right balance of vintage and clean elements. Flare jeans impart a bold and elongating effect, but lousy styling can make you look bulky and awkward.
However, there is a general guide to follow if you want to style flared jeans effectively.
- Focus on proportion: Since flare jeans have a wider bottom, they are best styled with fitted or tucked-in tops for a proportionate look.
- Choose the right rise: High rise is the most flattering of all and is best suited if you want to elongate your legs and accentuate the waist. However, mid-rise is ideal to achieve a vintage look. Low-rise jeans are best when styled for chic Y2K vibes.
- Mind the length: The ideal length for a flare jean is just above the ground when paired with suitable footwear. You can also opt for a cropped version if that is your ideal style.
- Layer smartly: For flared jeans, cropped bomber jackets, fitted knits, and structured blazers work beautifully. Avoid anything oversized unless it’s cropped, as too much volume can make you look bulky.
- Pick suitable footwear: Certain footwear styles pair beautifully with flared jeans, including platform boots, heeled sandals, chunky sneakers, Western boots and wedges.
Flared Jeans Outfit Ideas by Style and Vibe: What to Wear with Flare Jeans?
Casual Chic Looks
Going for the casual chic vibe is one of the easiest ways to style flared jeans and also the most wearable of them all. But do not equate basic with boring, as this look strikes the perfect balance between laid-back comfort and effortless sophistication. The key to creating casual chic outfits with flared pants is sticking with neutral and soft tones, quality basics and minimalist accessories.
Pick light blue washed flared denims paired with a tucked-in blouse, camel trench coat and ballet flats for a super wearable and polished look. To create an elevated basics look, choose dark flared jeans with a white tank top or t-shirt, layered with an oversized blazer and dressy sneakers.
Bohemian Revival Styling
The bohemian revival styling allows a modern take on the 1970s-inspired boho dressing, bringing back the eclectic and free-spirited style but with a fresh and wearable twist. This style focuses on earthy tones, natural fabrics and flowy silhouettes, bringing together contemporary fashion and retro influences.
High-rise or mid-rise flared jeans with distressed detailing or patchwork in a vintage cut lay the perfect foundation for this sort of look. Pair them with embroidered peasant blouses or bell-sleeve tops or crocheted camisoles to add to the boho vibe. Accentuate the look further with felt hats, beaded necklaces, chunky rings, feather earrings and bracelets.
Elevated and Smart Casual Ensembles
The elevated and smart casual style plays with neat and stylish but not overly formal silhouettes, combined with quality fabrics, clean tailoring and chic accessories. This type of styling turns the retro-inspired flared jeans into an outfit that is refined, intentional and put-together.
To keep up with this theme, it is best to stick to simpler denim shades and designs and add elements to build a suitable look. Opt for solid-hued silk blouses, satin camisoles or turtlenecks with subtle details to keep the look polished. Add a neutral-toned blazer or cardigan to add structure and sophistication. You can also swap the blazer for fine-knit sweaters, tucked in, with a leather belt for a more professional vibe.
Seventies-Inspired Outfits
The 70s were all about high-rise, dramatic flares to channel the bold and expressive vibe of the era. Rich texture, including suede, crochet and velvet, paired with deeper hues such as rust, mustard, forest green, burnt orange and indigo, reigned fashion closets.
To recreate that magic, start with dramatic flared jeans as your base. Choose lighter washes, acid washes or darker distressed ones. Pair with an embroidered peasant top and suede vest for a boho look, or wear it with a fitted wrap top or sequin blouse and metallic platforms to achieve a disco glam look.
Minimalist Approaches
The minimalist approach is all about understated elegance with a focus on neutral colours, clean lines and effortless styling. The key traits of minimal styling with flared jeans include a neutral colour palette, featuring black, white, beige, navy, grey, olive, etc., with no heavy embellishments or distressing, structured silhouettes and intentional styling.
For a timeless monochrome look, pair white flared jeans with a white button-down shirt for women or a plain tank top and neutral-coloured loafers. For a relaxed luxe look, light-wash flared jeans styled with a cashmere crewneck, tan slides, and a neutral-hued bag work beautifully.
Rocker Edge
The rocker edge style features influences from the late ’60s to ’90s music scenes. Raw, edgy and unapologetically stylish, this style is all about pairing denim with leather elements, dark colours, band tees and worn-in textures. Flared and bootcut jeans with a distressed finish and raw hem, dominantly in deep hues such as charcoal, black and deep indigo, lay the foundation of this style.
To achieve classic rock vibes, wear dark flared jeans with a vintage band t-shirt, a leather bomber jacket, a chunky belt and heeled ankle boots. For a punk rock attitude, pick a black flared jean with zipper details, paired with a mesh long sleeve or ripped tank, and chunky combat boots. Funky accessories such as chokers, chain belts, knit hats, and layered necklaces are a great addition to amp up your look.
How to Wear Flare Jeans With Top and Outerwear Pairings?
Sweaters and Cardigans
Sweaters and cardigans pair fairly well with flared jeans as well, as long as you keep the proportion in control. The key is not to let the top half get bulky, as flare jeans have enough volume at the bottom.
Choose a front tuck or a full tuck to create shape and define your waist. For chunkier sweaters, stick to the French tuck or half tuck.
Blouses and Fitted Tops
Styling blouses and fitted tops with flare jeans is one of the most flattering combos to try. Whether you are going for a polished, romantic or casual vibe, you can achieve the desired look fairly easily.
However, there are certain factors to consider when choosing a suitable blouse or top. Opt for fitted silhouettes and lightweight fabrics to avoid a voluminous fit. Play with different aspects of the top, such as the sleeves and neckline, to make your look stand out.
Jackets, Blazers, and Coats
Pairing your flare jeans with blazers, jackets, or coats is a simple yet effective way to elevate your look. But you need to choose options that create a structured look and do not look bulky.
Opt for cropped jackets, blazers and coats to keep the look proportioned and balanced. Trench coats and long coats also pair well with flared jeans, creating an elongated effect.
Bodysuits and Tank Tops
Bodysuits and tank tops pair well with flared jeans to create sleek and sophisticated looks. These combinations create the perfect base for achieving casual, formal and smart casual looks.
Choose high-rise flare jeans paired with sleek, fitted bodysuits and tank tops for a polished and elegant look. Style with sophisticated accessories such as belts, footwear and bags for a cohesive look.
FAQ’s
What tops go with flared jeans?
Flared jeans are fairly versatile and can be paired with a wide variety of tops, depending on the desired look. For a boho, 70s-inspired look, try peasant blouses, bell-sleeve tops, wrap tops, and off-the-shoulder blouses. Structured blouses, crisp button-down shirts, satin camisoles and fitted bodysuits are perfect for smart casual or lunch date looks.
Are flared jeans out of style in 2025?
Yes, flared jeans are very much in fashion in 2025. In fact, flared jeans are extremely popular with fashion mavens of all ages, and they are not going to be out of fashion for a very long time.
What footwear do you wear with flared jeans?
The type of footwear you choose to wear with flared jeans depends on the look you are trying to achieve. But some of the most flattering shoe styles to pair with flared jeans are platform boots, heeled sandals or pumps, chunky sneakers, pointed-toe flats, heeled mules, wedges or western boots.
Are flared jeans supposed to touch the ground?
Ideally, your flared jeans should touch the ground, but not really. The hem of your jeans should hover just above the ground, approximately 1-2 cm. It should cover most of your shoe, as this will give you an elongating effect and not look stubby.