You've treated yourself to a fabulous flare pant and you're wondering what to wear it with? What outfit should you choose to achieve that seventies look? What accessories should you include?
You’ve come to the right place.
As a fashion enthusiast, I was delighted to see the comeback of flared pants in 2019, especially with the disco-themed show by Tommy Hilfiger.
Today, I'm going to show you how to style this iconic 70s garment, whether you're going for a full bohemian look or something more casual and understated.
Whether they're classic or denim, flared pants are easy to style. For a balanced look, pair them with a shorter top or a fitted bohemian blouse that sits at the waist. If it's chilly, opt for an open kimono or a maxi cardigan to elongate and slim your silhouette. If you're tall and slim, you can wear a chunky sweater or an oversized jacket, which will contrast well with the flared pants to create a harmonious look. It's best to wear heels so that your flared pants fall just right and to give you a taller appearance. Finally, don’t hesitate to accessorise your outfit to make it truly yours!
Want to know more details? Keep reading to find out:
- How to wear flare pants with a boho tunic,
- Everyday outfit examples with flare jeans,
- Ideas for seventies outfits featuring this type of pant,
- What shoes to wear with flare pants,
- And plenty of ideas to accessorise your wide-leg pants to complete your look!
A Boho Top for a 70s Look
Symbolic of the hippie era, bell-bottom trousers pair perfectly with the bohemian style that emerged from this revolutionary time. In the following sections, I’ll share three outfit ideas inspired by this trend, ranging from the most unique to the more versatile.
A bohemian top or blouse, in a chic hippie style
No matter what type of flared pants you have, there’s always a bohemian-style tunic that will complement them perfectly. 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 top that has an original cut, featuring lace details or an off-the-shoulder neckline, for example.
We often think that flared pants are only for slim and tall figures. That's not true; the issue usually lies elsewhere: flared trousers are often paired with long tops. However, to showcase your body shape with this style, it's crucial to follow the famous proportions that bring harmony to your silhouette, namely ⅓ on top and ⅔ on the bottom. Thus, with flared pants, regardless of your height or body type, it's best to wear a short top or a tucked-in tunic that you can blouse. This will highlight your waist!
👉 Looking for a chic bohemian top? Check out our trendy collection of bohemian wear now!
Dare to wear a kimono or a maxi jacket to elongate your silhouette
You’ve found the perfect top to go with your pants, but you’d like to add a jacket on top? To keep up with the bohemian chic trend, I recommend you play with layers. So, over a short, solid-coloured top, you can wear a large printed flowy kimono or even a long knitted cardigan (and why not with some fringes?).
By leaving your jacket unbuttoned, it will help to slim down your waist, which you can further accentuate with a wide leather belt. Your flowy maxi jacket will complement your movements, elongating your silhouette while still being comfortable to wear. It's a perfect outfit for spring 🌷 and autumn 🍂!
A plain blouse for everyday wear or work
Got a pair of flared pants that you’d like to wear every day, in a stylish yet subtle way? I recommend pairing it with a solid-coloured top, something simple, avoiding any prints. This could be a shirt, a blouse, or even a t-shirt. To balance out the wide cut of the pants, go for a slightly fitted top that’s well-tailored.
👉 Is your flared pants made of denim? If so, a white or beige top would be just right for a smart-casual work outfit. 😉
Back to the 2000s with a Fitted Top!
Although it’s often linked to the 70s, flared trousers made a bit of a comeback in the early 2000s. Back then, they were typically worn with fitted tops, usually in solid colours.
Recently, the crop top has become the must-have item. This top, which reveals a hint of your midriff, is perfect for creating a vintage look when paired with flared pants.
👉 However, I recommend this outfit for individuals with a slender and tall body type. Indeed, it slightly disrupts the proportions discussed earlier and may risk making someone with an hourglass figure appear a bit wider, for example.
If you prefer not to wear a crop top, you can also opt for a fitted t-shirt or shirt that you can tuck into your pants. In this case, a belt will be your best friend to accentuate your waist and create a nice contrast between your top and your flared pants.
A chunky knit sweater or a boho cardigan for winter and autumn
A loose sweater or a chunky knit jacket pairs wonderfully with flared pants, 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 sweaters, as they could overwhelm your frame. To enhance your look, I suggest opting for a long open jacket, which will make you appear taller!
👉 If you are looking for a sweater or jacket that goes perfectly with your flared trousers, feel free to check out our autumn-winter collection! You'll find many stylish and unique designs there!
What Shoes Should You Pair with Flared Trousers?
Even though they are often partially hidden by the bottom of your flared pants, the choice of your shoes is crucial! In fact, it’s mainly the height of the heels you choose that will affect your posture and make you look taller or shorter. A flared pant, to create a lovely silhouette, must give the impression that you have long legs. This can be achieved effectively with heels, or if you’re not wearing heels, by opting for light-coloured sneakers.
Here are some shoe styles that go perfectly with flared trousers:
🔸 High-heeled sandals with a wide heel, made of leather or straw,
🔸 Stylish leather ankle boots with a rounded pointed toe,
🔸 Heeled boots,
🔸 White sneakers…
On the contrary, flat shoes like ballerinas or sandals won't really enhance your trousers.
🛑 If you’ve ever worn flared pants, especially during your secondary school days, you might have noticed that the bottom gets drenched when it drags on the ground. This is something you want to avoid at all costs, as it not only looks unappealing but also damages your clothing. So, before you decide to wear flared pants, make sure they are the right length for your legs and the shoes you plan to wear them with. If they aren’t, consider getting a hem done! 😊
Some Accessories That Bring Back the Hippie Style
Want to rock your flared pants in a seventies style? Just know that the boho vibe isn’t complete without its iconic accessories! These pieces define your look and add a personal touch, highlighting what makes you a unique individual.
So, to customise your outfit, consider the:
- fringed bags,
- hats,
- unique sunglasses,
- bohemian and floral necklaces from Atelier Passiflore,
- shawls and scarves,
- belts,
- designer hippie chic dangling earrings,
- braids and hair accessories…
Mix and match to create a look that's uniquely you!
You now know everything you need to know to wear flared pants with style, without any missteps. For more fashion tips, feel free to check out our bohemian blog! New articles are published every week. 😉