It’s time we expand our horizons, literally. Flared and wide-leg pants are back, and it’s time the world gave them a chance again.
The styles of the ’70s, flared jeans, platform shoes, bohemian dresses, bell-sleeves and earthy color palettes are all making a comeback, signaling a transition from hippie to hipster.
Over the last few years, skinny jeans have completely taken over the denim market, and it is finally time for a new silhouette to take the cake.
Although we’ve seen the wide leg pant rocking the runways for the past few seasons, they’ve only just started to hit big-box retail stores such as Target, H&M, Forever 21 and Zara.
Many of you may be thinking, “I can’t possibly pull off this wide leg look.” Well, I’m here to tell you that anyone can pull off a trend if they have the one accessory necessary to make it work: confidence.
The whole idea of the wide leg pant is to create an hourglass shape to the body. Regardless of your size or shape, anybody can recreate this look by pairing a fuller pant with a cropped, wrapped or tucked-in blouse or T-shirt.
Instead of the emphasis being placed on the hips or thighs, this new look shifts the emphasis to the waistline.
If the waistline isn’t an area that you want to highlight, try pairing a low-rise flared jean with a straight-shaped blouse or sweater that is tucked-in at the waist.
If tucked apparel isn’t your style, try wearing a cropped or regular shirt that hits the body just above the hip line. This will create the illusion of an hourglass shape without wearing a garment that tapers in at the waist.
Adding some height to your outfit with heels, chunky sandals, platforms or wedges will also add to the illusion of an elongated, hourglass silhouette.
Elongation starts with the right pant length for your body. To achieve a balanced proportion with the outfit, look for a wide leg pant that hits either below the ankle (worn with heels) or just above the ankle.
Anything in between these two lengths will cut off the legs, making them look shorter and wider.
Before you swear off tapered bottoms for good, it is important to remember that all fashion trends live within a style pendulum. They may swing away for some time, but chances are they will always come back around.
Although you may not want to ditch all your skinny jeans just yet, it’s important to make some room for a new trend that may just have your legs jumping for joy.
Wide leg and flared jeans or trousers can be found in-store or online at stores like Zara, Target, Madewell, Old Navy, Nordstrom or Anthropologie.