Baggy, skinny, straight, barrel or flared jeans – finding the perfect denim shape can feel like winning the lottery. And then, just as you start figuring out the version of a popular style that looks good on your body, the tides turn once again as a totally different jean silhouettes (re)emerges and you’re back at square one.
The denim trend cycle is super fast-paced and cyclical in a way that can be quite overwhelming, as different shapes hit our collective consciousness via catwalks, street style photos and Instagram feeds. But whether it’s the widest baggy jeans or tightest skinnies, there’s always a way to interpret a denim trend in a way that fits your own body, wardrobe and lifestyle. However, certain shapes are definitely more adaptable than others – and flared jeans have a reputation for being high up on the scale of difficulty.
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Historically, flared jeans – also known as bell bottoms – were a practical design solution that was part of 19th century sailor uniforms. Before they came back as a stylistic choice in the 1960s and 70s, flares were created as easily-removable trousers that could save lives of those abandoning a ship without a life jacket. In their later revival form, they become more of an aesthetic choice, one that later became synonymous with disco.
Instead of practical boots, their wide hems covered chunky platform shoes and built elongated silhouettes that marked this era. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, flared jeans reappeared as low-waisted, more extreme versions of the neutral boot cut shapes, often flaunting the midriff and being worn with cropped tops or baby tees and equally bodycon zip jackets. But what does a flared jean look like for spring 2026?
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