Thursday, April 30, 2015

How to Wear Flares This Spring

How to Wear Flares This Spring:

Emilio Pucci spring 2015 and Paul & Joe spring 2015. Photos: Imaxtree
Emilio Pucci spring 2015 and Paul & Joe spring 2015. Photos: Imaxtree
No doubt about it, the '70s are back. And no, you don't just have Coachella to blame. From New York to Paris, the spring 2015 runways were filled with the decade's throwback signatures: caftans, fringe, and — the most quintessential '70s style of all — flared pants.

Don't get nervous. Change is good, especially when it comes to pants. We've been stuck in a skinny-leg fog for so long now, we've forgotten how great it feels to let a little extra fabric swish around the ankles. And, anyway, flared hems can be damn flattering: They balance out the curve of the hip, elongate the leg, and — maybe this is just my imagination — give anyone who wears them an unmistakable swagger.

At Derek Lam's show, for example, the flare-induced strut was unmistakable: the models wore low-slung trousers, wide format belts and straight-cut blazers for the ultimate power suit. Try something similar for the office, or, forget that and channel the laid-back "Dazed and Confused" vibe seen at Coach with exaggerated bell bottoms, a lanky band shirt, and a ball-chain choker. If you prefer a more jaunty holiday look, there's also the matchy-matchy high-waisted pants and a-line tank top sets spotted at Paul & Joe and Karen Walker. When accessorized with a fringed bag and a floppy hat, the look is very Saint Tropez.

From left to right: Karen Walker spring 2015, Louis Vuitton spring 2015, Emilio Pucci spring 2015, Derek Lam spring 2015. Photos: Imaxtree
From left to right: Karen Walker spring 2015, Louis Vuitton spring 2015, Emilio Pucci spring 2015, Derek Lam spring 2015. Photos: Imaxtree
Of course, you could always just wear your flares the classic way: as a great-fitting pair of jeans like those on the runway at Louis Vuitton. There are plenty of options. Rag & Bone has the Justine, a high-waisted style with a turned-down hem in an icy, rinsed-out hue; while Madewell has the Flea Market jean — also high-waisted — in a faded true-blue. For those that loathe the high-rise, there's MIH's Marrakesh, which has flattering welt pockets across the front and comes in an easy-to-wear deep black. There's also J Brand's 722 Love Story in a flattering, dark indigo.

The more adventurous among us can get a leg up on next season's elephant-legged trend (spotted all over the fall 2015 runways) with Topshop Moto's wide-legged Miller jeans. Worn with a gauzy, off-the-shoulder top or a slim-fitting crew neck t-shirt, any of the above styles are bound to look groovy. Whatever you choose, just be sure to have those bottoms hemmed: Mopey pants that drag on the ground a la Shaggy's from Scooby Doo are never a good look.

See below for trouser (slideshow no.1) and denim (slideshow no. 2) options.

Flared Trousers

Flared Jeans

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