What to wear with flared trousers? Check out our tips!

You've treated yourself to a lovely flared trouser and you're wondering what to wear with it? What outfit to choose with bell-bottoms to achieve a seventies look? What accessories?

You're in the right place.

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

Today, I’d like to show you how to make this iconic 70s piece your own, whether you’re going for a full-on bohemian look or a more casual, understated outfit.

Whether they're classic or denim, flared trousers are incredibly easy to style. For a balanced look, you can pair them with a short top or a tucked-in bohemian blouse at the waist. If it’s chilly, an open kimono or a long cardigan will elongate and slim down your silhouette. If you’re tall and lean, you can also wear a chunky jumper or an oversized jacket, which will contrast nicely with your flared trousers to create a harmonious outfit. Ideally, choose heeled shoes to ensure your flared trousers fall perfectly and to give you a more elongated appearance. Finally, don’t hesitate to accessorise your outfit to make it your own!

Would you like more details? Keep reading to find out:

• How to wear flared trousers with a boho tunic,
• Examples of outfits for everyday wear with flared jeans,
• Ideas for a seventies outfit featuring this type of trouser,
• What shoes to pair with flared trousers,
• And plenty of ideas to accessorise your wide-leg trousers to complete your look!

A Boho Top for a 70s Look

Iconic of the hippie era, flared trousers perfectly complement the bohemian style that emerged from this revolutionary time. In the following lines, I’ll share three outfit ideas inspired by this trend, ranging from the most unique to the more versatile.

A bohemian tunic or blouse, in a chic hippie style

No matter what type of flared trousers you have, there will always be a bohemian-style tunic that will complement them perfectly. If your trousers are plain or if they're jeans, I recommend a colourful tunic with prints. You can also pair it with a plain top that has an original cut, featuring lace details or a bardot neckline, for example.

It’s often thought that flared trousers are only for slim and tall figures. That’s not the case, and the issue doesn’t lie there: quite often, flared trousers are worn with a long top. However, to truly flatter your shape with this style, it’s crucial to follow the well-known proportions that create harmony in your silhouette, namely 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 you can let blouse out. This will highlight your waist!

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

bohemian shirt blouse top

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

Have you found the perfect top for your trousers, but fancy adding a jacket on top? To keep with the bohemian chic trend, I suggest you play with layers. For instance, over a rather short plain top, you can wear a large flowing printed kimono or even a long knitted jacket (and why not with fringes?).

By leaving your jacket open, it will create the effect of slimming your waist, which you can accentuate with a wide leather belt. Your flowy maxi jacket will follow your movements, elongating your silhouette while remaining comfortable to wear. This is a perfect outfit for spring 🌷 and autumn 🍂!

A plain blouse for everyday wear or work

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

👉 Are your flared trousers actually jeans? If so, a top in white or beige would be just right for a fairly casual work outfit. 😉

Back to the 2000s with a fitted top!

Although it’s commonly linked to the 1970s, flared trousers made a brief comeback in the early 2000s as well. Back then, they were typically paired with fitted tops, usually plain.

Recently, the crop top has been everywhere. This top, which exposes your midriff, is perfect for achieving a vintage look paired with flared trousers.

👉 However, I recommend this outfit for those with a slender and tall body type. In fact, it slightly disrupts the proportion balance mentioned earlier and may risk making someone with an hourglass figure look a bit wider, for instance.

If you'd rather not wear a crop top, you can also opt for a fitted t-shirt or shirt tucked into your trousers. Again, a belt will be your best friend for highlighting your waist, as well as creating a contrast between your top and flared trousers.

A chunky knit jumper or a boho cardigan for winter and autumn

A loose knit jumper or an oversized jacket are perfect clothing items to pair with flared trousers, especially if they hug your curves at the thighs and waist. An oversized jacket will not only provide warmth but also bring 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 as they can make you appear shorter. To accentuate your figure, I recommend going for a long jacket worn open, which will help you look taller!

👉 If you're on the lookout for a jumper or a jacket that pairs perfectly with your flared trousers, don't hesitate to check out our autumn-winter collection! You'll find plenty of stylish and unique designs there!

What Shoes to Pair with Flared Trousers?

Even though they’re often partly hidden by the cuffs of your flared trousers, your choice of shoes is crucial! In fact, it’s particularly the height of the heels you choose that will influence your posture and make you appear taller or shorter. Flared trousers should create the impression that you have long legs to create a lovely silhouette. This can be achieved very effectively with heels, or, if you prefer not to wear heels, by opting for light-coloured shoes like sneakers.

Here are some shoe styles that are perfect to wear with flare trousers:

🔸 High, wide heeled sandals, made of leather or straw,

🔸 Some leather ankle boots with a round pointed toe,

🔸 Heeled boots,

🔸 White sneakers…

On the contrary, flat shoes like ballet pumps or sandals aren't really suitable for enhancing your trousers.

🛑 If you've ever worn flared trousers, especially in school or college, you may have noticed that the bottoms got soaked because they brushed against the ground. This is something you want to avoid at all costs, as not only does it look unsightly, but it also damages your clothing. So, before you put on a pair of flares, make sure they’re the right length for your legs and the shoes you plan to wear. If they’re not, consider getting them hemmed! 😊

Some Accessories That Bring Back the Hippie Style

Are you looking to rock your flared trousers in a seventies style? Keep in mind that the boho look is nothing without its iconic accessories! These items define your outfit and personalise it, highlighting what makes you a unique individual.

So, to personalise your outfit, consider the:

• fringe bags,
• hats,
• unique sunglasses,
• bohemian and floral necklaces from Atelier Passiflore,
• shawls and scarves,
• belts,
• designer boho chic drop earrings,
• braids and hair accessories…

Blend them together to create a look that reflects your personality!

Now you know everything you need to wear flared trousers with style, and without any missteps. For more fashion tips, feel free to check out our bohemian blog! New articles are published every week. 😉