What to Wear with Flared Trousers? Check Out Our Tips!

You’ve treated yourself to a fabulous flare pant and you’re wondering what to wear it with? What outfit should you choose to create a 70s look with your bell-bottoms? What accessories should you use?

You’ve come to the right place.

As a fashion enthusiast, I was thrilled to see the return of flared jeans in 2019, particularly showcased in the disco-themed runway show by Tommy Hilfiger.

Today, I invite you to explore how to make this iconic 70s garment your own, whether you’re going for a complete bohemian look or a more casual and understated outfit.

Whether classic or denim, flared pants are easy to style. To create a balanced look, you can pair them with a shorter top or a bohemian blouse tucked in at the waist. If it’s chilly, an open kimono or a long cardigan will elongate and slim your silhouette. If you’re tall and slender, you can also wear a chunky sweater or an oversized jacket, which will contrast nicely with your flared pants to create a harmonious look. It’s best to opt for heels so that your flared pants fall just right, and to give you a taller appearance. Finally, don’t hesitate to accessorize your outfit to make it your own!

Looking for more details? 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 with this type of pants,
  • What shoes to pair with flared pants,
  • Plus, tons of ideas to accessorize your wide-leg pants to complete your look!

bell-bottom pants

A Boho Top for a 70s Look

Symbolic of the hippie era, flared pants blend perfectly with the bohemian style that originated from this revolutionary time. In the following sections, I will share three outfit ideas inspired by this trend, ranging from the most unique to the most versatile.

A Bohemian Tunic or Blouse, Hippie Chic Style

No matter what type of flared pants you own, there will always be a bohemian-style top that will enhance them. If your pants are solid-coloured or if you're wearing jeans, I recommend a colourful tunic with prints. You can also pair it with a solid-coloured top that has a unique cut, featuring lace details or an off-the-shoulder neckline, for example.

bohemian flare pants outfit

We often think that flared pants are only for slim and tall figures. This is not the case, and the issue lies elsewhere: flared pants are frequently paired with longer tops. However, to accentuate your body shape with this type of cut, it’s essential to adhere to the well-known proportions that create harmony in your silhouette, specifically 1/3 on top and 2/3 on the bottom. Therefore, with flared pants, regardless of your height or body type, it's better to wear a short top or a blouse tucked in, which you'll allow to billow. This will highlight your waist!

👉 Looking for a chic bohemian top? Check out our trendy collection of bohemian clothing now!

Dare to wear a kimono or a long jacket to elongate your silhouette

You’ve found the perfect top for your pants, but you’d like to wear a jacket over it? To keep with the bohemian-chic trend, I recommend playing with layers. Over a simple, relatively short top, you can wear a flowy printed kimono or even a long knit cardigan (and why not with fringes?).

flare leg long kimono vest

By leaving your jacket open, it will help to define your waist, which you can further accentuate with a wide leather belt. Your flowy long jacket will move with you, elongating your silhouette while remaining comfortable to wear. This is an ideal outfit for spring 🌷 and autumn 🍂!

A solid-colour blouse for everyday wear or work

Do you have a pair of flare pants that you'd like to wear every day, in a stylish yet understated way? To achieve that, I recommend pairing them with a solid-coloured top that is simple, avoiding any prints. This could be a shirt, a blouse, or even a t-shirt. To balance out the loose fit of the pants, opt for a slightly fitted garment that is well tailored.

casual flare jeans outfit

👉 Is your flared pant a jean? If so, a white or beige top will be just right for a fairly casual work outfit. 😉

Back to the 2000s with a Fitted Top!

Although it's associated with the 1970s, flared pants also made a bit of a comeback in the early 2000s. At that time, they were often paired with fitted tops, usually in solid colours.

In recent seasons, the crop top has been seen everywhere. This top, which reveals your midriff, is perfect for creating a vintage look when paired with flared pants.

flare pants and crop top

👉 I recommend this outfit for individuals with a slender and tall body type. It can slightly disrupt the proportions mentioned earlier and may risk making someone with an hourglass figure appear a bit wider, for instance.

If you don't want to wear 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 friend to highlight your waist and create a contrast between your top and your flared pants.

A chunky knit sweater or a boho cardigan for winter and fall

A loose sweater or a chunky knit jacket pairs perfectly with flared pants, especially if they fit snugly around your thighs and waist. An oversized jacket will not only add warmth but also create a balanced look for your outfit. This will help you achieve a relaxed and bohemian vibe.

wide pants oversized sweater oversized jacket

If you are petite, it might be best to avoid wearing overly baggy sweaters, as they can drown out your silhouette. To accentuate your figure, I recommend opting for a long jacket worn open, which will make you appear taller!

👉 If you are looking for a sweater or jacket that pairs perfectly with your flared pants, be sure to check out our fall-winter collection! You'll find a variety of styles that are both trendy and unique!

What Shoes Go Well with Flared Trousers?

Even though they are often partially hidden by the flared hem of your pants, the choice of your shoes is crucial! In fact, it's primarily the height of the heels that will affect your posture and make you appear taller or shorter. A flared pant, to create a beautiful silhouette, should give the impression that you have long legs. This can be achieved very effectively with heels, or if you prefer not to wear heels, by choosing light-coloured sneakers.

elephant leg pants shoes

Here are some shoe styles that pair perfectly with flared pants:

🔸 High and wide heel sandals, made of leather or straw,

🔸 Des 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 suitable for enhancing your pants.

🛑 If you've ever worn flared pants, especially during your time in middle or high school, you might have noticed that the bottoms can get soaked from dragging on the ground. This is something you want to avoid at all costs, as not only does it look unappealing, but it also damages your clothing. Before wearing flared pants, make sure they are the right length for your legs and the shoes you plan to wear. If they aren't, it might be a good idea to get them hemmed! 😊

Accessories That Evoke Hippie Style

Do you want to rock your flared pants in a seventies style? Keep in mind that the boho look wouldn't be complete without its iconic accessories! These accessories define your outfit and personalize it, highlighting what makes you a unique individual.

chic hippie accessories

So, to customize your outfit, consider the following:

Blend and combine them to create a look that's uniquely yours!

You now know everything you need to wear bell-bottom pants with style and avoid any missteps. For more fashion tips, feel free to check out our bohemian blog! New articles are published every week. 😉

Need some inspiration? Discover stylish outfit ideas that pair effortlessly with flared pants. Explore Our Outfit Inspirations