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

You've treated yourself to a stunning pair of flared trousers and you're wondering what to wear with them? What outfit should you choose to achieve a seventies vibe with your bell-bottoms? What accessories should you consider?

You're in the right place.

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

Today, I’m excited to show you how to embrace this iconic 1970s garment, whether you want a complete bohemian look or a more casual and understated outfit.

Whether classic or denim, flared trousers are easy to style. To achieve a balanced look, you can pair them with a shorter top or a tucked-in 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 slim, you can also opt for a chunky sweater or an oversized jacket, which will contrast nicely with your flared pants to create a harmonious look. It's best to wear heels so that your flared trousers fall perfectly, plus they'll give you a taller appearance. Lastly, don't hesitate to accessorise your outfit to make it your own!

Want to know more details? Keep reading to find out:

• How to wear flared trousers with a boho tunic,
• Outfit examples for everyday wear with flare jeans,
• Ideas for seventies-inspired outfits featuring this style of trousers,
• What shoes to pair with flared pants,
• Plus plenty of ideas for accessorising your wide-leg trousers to complete your look!

A Boho Top for a 70s Look

Iconic of the hippie era, flared pants blend perfectly with 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 original to the most versatile.

A bohemian tunic or blouse, with a hippie chic flair

No matter what type of flared pants you have, there's always a bohemian-style top that will complement them beautifully. If your pants are plain or if you're wearing jeans, I recommend a colourful tunic with prints. You can also pair it with a solid-coloured top featuring an original cut, adorned with lace details or an off-the-shoulder collar, for instance.

It’s often thought that flared trousers are only for slim and tall figures. However, that's not true, and the issue is not just that: very often, flared pants are worn with a long top. To truly showcase your shape with this style of cut, it’s essential to maintain the well-known proportions that create harmony in your silhouette, specifically 1/3 on top and 2/3 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 tuck in a tunic, allowing it to blouse slightly. This will effectively accentuate your waist!

👉 On the hunt for a chic hippie top? Check out our trendy bohemian clothing collection now!

bohemian shirt top

Embrace the kimono or maxi jacket to elongate your silhouette

You’ve found the perfect top for your pants, but would like to wear a jacket over it? To keep with the bohemian chic trend, I recommend you play with layering. So, over a fairly short plain top, you could add a flowy printed kimono or even a long knitted cardigan (and why not one with fringes?).

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

A plain blouse for everyday or workwear

Do you have a pair of flared pants that you’d like to wear every day in a stylish yet understated way? If so, I recommend pairing them with a plain top, something fairly simple, and steer clear of prints. This could be a shirt, blouse, or a t-shirt. To balance out the wide leg of the pants, opt for a slightly fitted garment that’s well-tailored.

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

Back to the 2000s with a figure-hugging top!

Although it’s linked to the 1970s, flared trousers have also made a bit of a comeback in the early 2000s. Back then, they were typically worn with fitted tops, usually in solid colours.

These days, the crop top is everywhere. This top, which reveals a hint of your midriff, is perfect for creating a vintage look paired with flared pants.

👉 However, I recommend this outfit for individuals with a rather slim and tall physique. Indeed, it slightly disrupts the previously mentioned proportions and may risk broadening someone with an hourglass figure, for example.

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 trousers. Again, a belt will be your best friend for accentuating your waist and creating a contrast between your top and flared trousers.

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

A loose-fitting jumper or a chunky knit jacket pairs wonderfully with flared trousers, especially if they hug your curves at the thighs and waist. An oversized jacket will not only keep you warm 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, as they can make your frame look smaller. To enhance your figure, I recommend opting for a long jacket worn open, which will make you appear taller!

👉 If you're on the hunt for a sweater or jacket that pairs perfectly with your flared trousers, be sure to check out our autumn-winter collection! You'll find plenty of stylish and unique options!

What Shoes Go Well with Flared Trousers?

Even though they are often partially hidden by the bottoms of your flared pants, the choice of your shoes is essential! In fact, it’s mainly the height of the heels that will influence your posture and make you appear taller or shorter. A flared pant should give the impression that you have long legs to create a beautiful silhouette. This can be effectively achieved 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 flared pants:

🔸 High and wide heeled sandals, made from leather or straw,

🔸 Stylish heeled leather ankle boots with a rounded toe,

🔸 Heeled boots,

🔸 White sneakers…

On the contrary, flat shoes like ballet flats or sandals won't really enhance your trousers.

🛑 If you've ever worn flared pants, especially during your time at college or high school, you might have noticed that the hem can get caught in puddles because it drags on the ground. This is something to avoid at all costs, as not only is it unflattering, but it can also ruin your clothing. Before you wear flared pants, make sure they are the right length for your legs and the shoes you intend to wear them with. If not, you should consider having them hemmed! 😊

Some Accessories That Reflect the Hippie Style

Want to rock your flared trousers with a seventies style? Remember, the boho look is nothing without its iconic accessories! These accessories define your outfit and personalise it, highlighting what makes you a unique individual.

So, to customise your outfit, think about:

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

Blend and mix them to create a look that reflects your personality!

You now know everything you need to confidently wear flared pants in style, without any missteps. For more fashion tips, feel free to check out our bohemian blog! We publish new articles every week. 😉