You’ve treated yourself to a fabulous pair of flared pants and are wondering what to wear with them? What outfit should you choose to achieve that seventies look? What accessories should you consider?
You're in the right place.
As a fashion enthusiast, I was thrilled to see the comeback of flared trousers in 2019, especially with Tommy Hilfiger's disco-themed runway show.
Today, I'm excited to show you how to make this iconic 70s garment your own, whether you're aiming for a full bohemian look or a more casual and subtle outfit.
Whether classic or denim, flared pants are easy to style. To create a balanced look, pair them with a short top or a boho blouse tucked in at the waist. If it's chilly, an open kimono or a long cardigan will elongate and refine your silhouette. If you're tall and slim, you can also wear a chunky jumper or an oversized jacket, which will contrast nicely with your flared pants for a harmonious outfit. It's best to opt for heels to ensure your flared pants fall perfectly, while also giving you a taller appearance. Finally, don't hesitate to accessorise your outfit to make it uniquely yours!
Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:
- How to wear flared pants with a boho tunic,
- Outfit examples for everyday wear featuring flared jeans,
- Ideas for 70s-inspired outfits using this type of trouser,
- What shoes to wear with flared pants,
- And loads of ideas to accessorise your wide-leg trousers to complete your look!
A Boho Top for a 70s Look
Symbolic of the hippie era, flared pants pair perfectly with the bohemian style that emerged from this revolutionary time. In the following lines, I present to you three outfit ideas inspired by this trend, ranging from the most original to the most versatile.
A bohemian tunic or blouse, in a chic hippie style
No matter what type of flared pants you have, there will always be a bohemian-style tunic that will complement them beautifully. If your pants are plain or if they're jeans, I recommend going for a colourful tunic with prints. You can also pair it with a solid-coloured top that has an interesting cut, featuring lace details or an off-the-shoulder neckline, for example.
It’s often thought that flared trousers are only for slim and tall figures. This is a misconception; the issue is often how they are styled. Many people wear flared pants with a long top, but to truly accentuate your body shape with this style, it's crucial to maintain the well-known proportions that create balance in your silhouette, specifically ⅓ on top and ⅔ on the bottom. Therefore, when wearing flared trousers, regardless of your height or body type, it’s best to opt for a short top or a tucked-in tunic that is slightly loose. This will effectively highlight your waist!
👉 Looking for a trendy bohemian top? Check out our collection of stylish bohemian clothing now!
Dare to wear a kimono or a maxi coat to elongate your silhouette
You’ve found the perfect top for your pants, but you’d like to wear a jacket over it? To stay on trend with that boho-chic vibe, I recommend you to play with layering. Over a simple, fairly short top, you can throw on a flowing printed kimono or even a long knit jacket (and why not add some fringe?).
By leaving your jacket open, it will create the effect of slimming your waist, which you can emphasise with a wide leather belt. Your flowing maxi jacket will move with you, elongating your silhouette while remaining comfortable to wear. It’s a perfect outfit for spring 🌷 and autumn 🍂!
A plain blouse for everyday wear or work
Do you have a pair of flared pants that you’d like to wear every day in a stylish yet understated way? To achieve this, I recommend pairing them with a plain top, something simple while avoiding prints. This could be a shirt, a blouse, or even a t-shirt. To balance the wide cut of the pants, opt for a slightly fitted garment that is well-tailored.
👉 Is your flared jeans a pair of jeans? If so, a white or beige top will be just the thing for a pretty casual work outfit. 😉
Back to the 2000s with a Fitting Top!
Although it's often linked to the 70s, flared trousers also made a bit of a comeback in the early 2000s. At that time, they were usually worn with fitted tops, typically in solid colours.
In recent seasons, the crop top has been making a huge comeback. This top that exposes your midriff is perfect for creating a vintage look when paired with flared pants.
👉 I recommend this outfit for individuals with a slim and tall body type. It does tend to alter the proportion balance mentioned earlier and could potentially widen the appearance of someone with an hourglass shape, for instance.
If you’re not keen on wearing a crop top, you can also opt for a fitted t-shirt or shirt that you can tuck into your pants. Again, a belt will be your best mate for accentuating your waist, as well as highlighting the contrast between your top and flared trousers.
A chunky knit jumper or a boho cardigan for winter and autumn
A baggy jumper or a chunky knit jacket pairs wonderfully with flared trousers, particularly if they fit snugly around your thighs and waist. An oversized jacket will not only provide warmth but also add balance to your outfit. This will help you achieve a relaxed and bohemian look.
If you're petite, it might be best to avoid wearing oversized jumpers that could flatten your silhouette. Instead, I recommend wearing a long jacket left open, as it will make you look taller!
👉 If you’re on the hunt for a jumper or jacket that pairs perfectly with your flared trousers, be sure to check out our autumn-winter collection! You’ll find a wide range of stylish and unique designs!
What Shoes Go Well with Bell-Bottom Trousers?
Even though they are often partially hidden by the flared hem of your pants, the choice of footwear is crucial! In fact, it’s primarily the height of the heels you select that will affect your posture and make you appear taller or shorter. A flared pant should create the illusion of longer legs to enhance your silhouette. This can be achieved effectively with heels, or if you prefer not to wear heels, by opting for light-coloured sneakers.
Here are some shoe styles that are perfect for wearing with flared trousers:
🔸 High and wide heeled sandals, made of leather or straw,
🔸 Leather ankle boots with a rounded pointed toe,
🔸 Heeled boots,
🔸 White sneakers…
On the contrary, flat shoes like ballet flats or sandals aren't really suited to enhance your trousers.
🛑 If you've ever worn flared trousers, especially during your time in high school or college, you might have found that the hems got soaked because they were dragging on the ground. This is something you definitely want to avoid, as not only does it look unappealing, but it also damages your clothing. So before you don those flared pants, make sure they’re the right length for your legs and the shoes you plan to wear. If they’re not, you should definitely consider getting them hemmed! 😊
Some Accessories That Echo the Hippie Style
Do you want to rock your flared pants like it's the seventies? Remember that the boho style doesn’t shine without its iconic accessories! These define your look and personalise it, highlighting what makes you a unique individual.
So, to personalise your outfit, consider the following:
- fringed bags,
- hats,
- unique sunglasses,
- bohemian and floral necklaces from Atelier Passiflore,
- shawls and scarves,
- belts,
- designer boho chic dangle earrings,
- braids and hair accessories…
Blend and combine them to create a look that reflects your personality!
You now know everything you need to wear flared trousers with style and avoid any fashion missteps. For more fashion tips, feel free to check out our boho blog! New articles are published every week. 😉