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October 29, 2024

How To Style Flare Jeans: Tips To Rock This Timeless Trend

Source: Sabelnikova Olga/Shutterstock

Flared jeans are a striking vintage trend that’s back and better than ever. Today, people are taking advantage of this style’s versatility, working them into dozens of different aesthetics, from urban-chic to business casual.

Learn how to style flare jeans with our tips and embrace these iconic bottoms, whether you love dark wash wide-leg flares or acid-wash bell bottoms.

Types of flare jeans

Flare pants come in numerous cuts and silhouettes, flattering different body types and personal styles. Here are the most common types and their standout qualities:

  • High-waisted: These jeans define the waistline, sitting above the belly button. They typically achieve a retro look and are excellent for elongating your legs and flattering your curves.
  • Low-rise: This cut sits on or below your hips, ideal for bold outfits and midriff-baring crop tops. The look is slightly more modern than its high-waisted counterpart—think 2000s rather than ’70s.
  • Wide-leg: Baggy wide-leg jeans flare out at the hips, providing a loose, comfortable fit. They evoke a flowy, casual vibe.
  • Kick flares: Perfect for warmer weather, these cropped jeans flare at the knees and end mid-calf or just above the ankle. These are breezy and cool and look great with a pair of strappy heels.
  • Bell bottoms: These jeans hug the thighs and dramatically flare out at the knees, creating a wider bell-shaped silhouette around the calves and ankles. This style screams ’60s and ’70s more than any other type of flares.
  • Bootcut: A toned-down take on flared jeans, these pants widen slightly at the knee. They’re made to accommodate tall boots, but they’re also a great choice with other types of footwear.

Experiment with different cuts and find whatever feels right to you, regardless of your height, body type, or personal aesthetic.

What to wear with flared jeans: 10 outfit ideas

Need help matching this returning retro trend with your unique style? Explore 10 expert tips to inspire your outfit with flare pants.

1. Hippie chic

A woman standing on the pavement against a white wall. She’s wearing a fringed top, flared jeans, sunglasses, a sun hat, and heeled brown sandals with a fringed handbag.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

Do you have a closet full of Free People tops and shoes? Try a classic flare jean outfit with a high-waisted pair and a top with playful fringes. We recommend heeled sandals, but you can also stick with flat sandals for a more low-key appeal.

This outfit works great for lots of casual occasions, but we love it for a spirited girls’ night.

2. Comfy casual

A woman wearing a long cardigan, a plaid scarf, a black top, flared jeans, sunglasses, and black loafers. She’s holding a black tote bag.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

A loose cardigan and an infinity scarf are some of our favorite pieces to wear with flared pants, especially for fall and winter. This relaxed yet put-together look is perfect for coffee dates, weekend errands, and shopping with friends.

We love the warmth and coverage of a knee-length cardigan, but a cropped one is just as cute. For the jeans, opt for dark wash flares—this deep, rich fabric makes them look classier, adding a touch of subtle sophistication.

3. Edgy and modern

A woman wearing a black hoodie, black flare jeans, a bucket hat, sunglasses, and platform boots. She’s holding a transparent tote bag.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

Pair black flare jeans with a loose hoodie and a bucket hat for edgy pop vibes, channeling urban locales like LA or Seoul. Oversized sunglasses and platform boots elevate this look while maintaining its effortless allure. This outfit has total festival vibes—bold and fun—but it’s excellent for shopping and lunch, too.

For a variation, swap out the boots for chunky sneakers. They have the same street look but offer more comfort for walking all day.

4. Business casual

A woman wearing a black blazer, white blouse, sunglasses, flared jeans, sunglasses, and high heels. She’s holding a black handbag.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

Yes, flared jeans are suitable for work (and semi-formal occasions). A crisp black blazer, white blouse, and pumps are striking and just dressy enough with a pair of dark wash flares. We love the minimalist black-and-white palette, but try a lilac blouse with a gray blazer for an eye-catching pop of color.

Don’t forget a designer bag—a Prada Galleria or a Louis Vuitton Capucines perfectly aligns with this professional ensemble.

5. Fun and floral

A woman wearing a green floral blouse, flared jeans, sunglasses, and high heels. She’s holding a black handbag.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

This bright outfit is ideal for a casual date night, brunch with the girls, and relaxed weekend errands. Combining high-waisted flare jeans with a billowing floral blouse gives subtle flower-child vibes, but colorful heels and oversized sunglasses lend a distinctly modern twist.

Wear light or acid-wash denim to match the vibrant aesthetic. Full-length flares work well, but this is also a great opportunity to don a pair of kick flares and highlight those showy heels.

6. Retro rocker

 A woman wearing a black graphic tee, frayed flare jeans, a black hat, sunglasses, and black boots. She’s holding a black shoulder bag.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

Searching for a vintage look without the boho feel? Embrace 1970s rockstar vibes with a graphic tee, sunglasses, and frayed black flare jeans. This look is perfect for a concert or girls’ night out.

Try this outfit with a pair of stylish black boots, whether you like boots, Combats, or Chelseas.

7. Warm and cozy

A woman wearing an orange sweater, flared jeans, boots, sunglasses, and an orange knit cap. She’s holding a fringed handbag.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

Comfortable, casual, and timeless, a chunky sweater goes great with flared jeans for a walk in the park or a solo coffee run. Add a pair of suede boots and a warm knit cap for the perfect fall fashion look.

We recommend a blend of warm colors—reds, browns, and golds—but this outfit looks great in neutrals, too.

8. Laid-back and minimalist

A woman wearing a white button-down shirt, flared jeans, sunglasses, and chunky black sandals. She’s holding a raffia shoulder bag.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

A loose white button-down and chunky sandals are simplistic and laid-back, with a hint of sophistication. This outfit is excellent for meeting friends and running errands, but if you swap out the sandals for loafers, it’s a casual-Friday office look.

Here’s a pro tip to elevate this style: French tuck your button-down to create a chic silhouette.

9. Sleek elegance

A woman wearing a green bodysuit, flared jeans, sunglasses, and heeled sandals. She’s holding a black handbag.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

Pair a sleek bodysuit and tight flares for a streamlined, elegant look that’s still relaxed and breezy. This simple outfit is perfect for numerous occasions, including weekend errands or a night out. Add a jacket and it works for more formal events like brunches, parties, and dining out.

We recommend sandals or strappy heels and a designer bag to complete this chic, feminine look.

10. Street vibes

A woman wearing a fuzzy jacket, a black cropped hoodie, flared jeans, chunky sneakers, and a knit cap. She’s holding a mini backpack.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

We’re obsessed with this cute, urban style. Low-rise flared jeans, a cropped hoodie, and a fuzzy jacket gives a carefree but trendy feel. Sport this look when you’re out with your friends, grabbing lunch, or shopping.

Accessorize with chunky sneakers, a knit cap, and a mini backpack to add extra city flair.

Build striking outfits with flared jeans on ThredUp

Find a wide variety of flared jeans in ThredUp’s collection. From dark wash to acid, kick flares to bell bottoms—we have thousands of pairs to suit your unique style.

Narrow your search and discover your ideal look with our Improved Search feature. Use our Style Chat to brainstorm outfit ideas, ask for advice, and see your vision come to life on a person. We’ll even suggest the best pieces from our collection.

ThredUp is the ultimate buying and selling platform, so go ahead and clean out your closet before your shopping spree—you’ll earn store credit for a little extra spending money.