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

You’ve treated yourself to a stunning flared pair of trousers and are wondering what to wear with them? What outfit should you choose to achieve that seventies look? What accessories should you go for?

You’re in the right place.

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

Today, I'm going to show you how to make this iconic 70s garment your own, whether you want to go for a full bohemian look or a more casual and understated outfit.

Whether they're classic or denim, flared trousers are easy to style. To achieve a balanced look, pair them with a short or tucked-in bohemian top or blouse at the waist. If it’s chilly, an open kimono or a long cardigan will elongate and slim your figure. If you’re tall and slim, you can also wear a chunky sweater or an oversized jacket, which will contrast nicely with your flared trousers for a harmonious outfit. It’s best to wear high-heeled shoes to ensure your flared pants fall perfectly while giving you a tall, elegant silhouette. Lastly, don’t hesitate to accessorise your outfit to make it your own!

Do you want more details? Keep reading to find out:

  • How to wear flared trousers with a boho tunic,
  • Outfit examples for everyday wear with flared jeans,
  • Seventies-style outfit ideas featuring this type of trousers,
  • What shoes to wear with flared pants,
  • And plenty of ideas to accessorise your wide-legged trousers to complete your look!

flared trousers

A Boho Top for a 70s Look

Iconic of the hippie era, flared trousers pair perfectly with the bohemian style that has its roots in this revolutionary time. In the following lines, I'll share three outfit ideas inspired by this trend, ranging from the most unique to the most versatile.

A bohemian tunic or blouse, in a chic hippie style

Regardless of the type of flared trousers you have, there's always 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 patterns. You can also pair it with a solid-coloured top that has a unique cut, featuring lace details or a bardot neckline, for instance.

bohemian flared trousers outfit

It is often thought that flared trousers are only suitable for slim and lanky figures. This is not the case, and the issue is not there: quite often, flared trousers are worn with a long top. However, to highlight your body shape with this style of cut, it’s essential to follow the famous proportions that bring harmony to your silhouette, namely ⅓ on top and ⅔ on the bottom. Therefore, with flared trousers, regardless of your height or body shape, it is better to wear a short top or a tucked-in tunic that you can blouse out. This will emphasise your waist!

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

Embrace the kimono or the maxi jacket to elongate your silhouette

Have you found the perfect top for your trousers, but want to wear a jacket over it? To stay on trend with the bohemian chic style, I recommend you experiment with layering. Over a fairly short plain top, you can wear a large flowing printed kimono or even a long knitted cardigan (and why not add some fringes?).

flare leg long kimono gilet

By leaving your jacket open, it will enhance your waistline, which you can further accentuate 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 or work wear

Do you have a pair of flared trousers that you want to wear every day in a stylish yet understated way? I suggest pairing them with a solid-coloured top, something simple without any patterns. This could be a shirt, a blouse, or even a t-shirt. To balance the wide cut of the trousers, opt for a slightly fitted top that is well-tailored.

casual flare jeans outfit

👉 Is your flared jeans a jean? If so, a top in white or beige will work perfectly for a fairly casual work outfit. 😉

Back to the 2000s with a Fitted Top!

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

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

flare pants crop top

👉 I recommend this outfit for individuals with a slender and tall body shape. Indeed, it slightly disrupts the proportional balance mentioned 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 blouse that you tuck into your trousers. A belt will be your best friend here to accentuate your waist and create 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 perfectly 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 create balance in your outfit. This will help you achieve a relaxed and bohemian look.

wide trousers oversized jumper oversized jacket

If you're short, you might want to avoid wearing an oversized jumper, as it could make your figure look smaller. To accentuate your shape, I recommend opting for a long jacket worn open, which will make you appear taller!

👉 If you’re on the lookout 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 trendy and unique styles there!

What shoes to wear with flared trousers?

Even though they are often partially hidden by the flared hems of your trousers, the choice of shoes is essential! In fact, it’s particularly the height of the heels that you choose which will affect your posture and make you appear taller or shorter. Flared trousers, to create a lovely 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, with light-coloured shoes like sneakers.

elephant leg trousers shoes

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

🔸 High, wide-heeled sandals, made from 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 are not really suitable for enhancing your trousers.

🛑 If you've ever worn flared trousers, especially during your school days, you might have found that the hem got wet from dragging on the ground. This is something to avoid at all costs, as it not only looks unappealing but also damages your clothing. So, before you put on a pair of flared trousers, ensure that they are the right length for your legs and the shoes you plan to wear. If they're not, you should consider getting them hemmed! 😊

Some Accessories That Recall Hippie Style

Do you want to rock your flared trousers in true seventies style? Remember, the boho look wouldn’t be complete without its iconic accessories! These details define your outfit and add a personal touch, highlighting what makes you a unique individual.

hippie chic accessories

So, to customise your outfit, consider the following:

Blend and combine them to create a look that’s uniquely you!

Now you know everything you need to know to wear flared trousers with style, and without any fashion 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 to match perfectly with flared pants. View Our Outfit Inspirations