Flare jeans: how to choose them and 12 outfits
How to wear flare jeans: flare vs bootcut vs wide-leg, choosing rise and length, 12 flare jeans outfits and the best shoes, from platforms to loafers.
The short answer
Flare jeans are fitted through the hip and thigh and widen from the knee. Choose a high rise and a length that covers most of your shoe. Keep the top fitted or tucked to balance the flare. Best shoes: platforms, block heels and heeled boots; hem shorter for flats.
- 12 outfits, from a knit and platforms to a corset top and heeled sandals.
Flare jeans fit through the hip and thigh and widen from the knee to the hem, which balances the hips, lengthens the leg and works with almost every body shape. The rules that make them look right are simple: wear them long enough to cover most of your shoe, choose a high rise, and keep the top fitted or tucked. Below is how flare jeans differ from bootcut and wide-leg, how to choose the right pair, 12 outfits and the best shoes.
Flare vs bootcut vs wide-leg
| Shape | Thigh | From the knee | Hem width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flare | Fitted | Widens noticeably | Wide |
| Bootcut | Fitted | Widens slightly | Narrow-medium, fits over a boot |
| Wide-leg | Loose from the hip | Straight down, wide | Wide |
| Baggy | Loose throughout | Straight or slightly wide | Medium-wide |
See our guides to wide-leg jeans and baggy jeans for those fits.
More on the neighbouring shapes: wide-leg jeans and baggy jeans.
How do you choose flare jeans?
- Rise: high rise lengthens the leg the most.
- Length: long enough to cover most of the shoe, with about a half inch off the floor in the shoes you will wear. Hem them for your usual heel height.
- Wash: dark wash looks polished; light wash is casual and 70s.
- Stretch: a little stretch helps the fitted thigh; too much makes the flare collapse.
- Petite: choose a petite inseam or hem them, and wear a heel or platform.
12 flare jeans outfits
- Fitted ivory knit, camel belt and platform heels.
- Tucked black bodysuit, cropped suede jacket and pointed boots.
- White shirt half-tucked and loafers for a weekday.
- Fitted turtleneck and a long wool coat for winter.
- Silk camisole and a blazer for dinner.
- Striped long-sleeve tee and white sneakers (casual, slightly shorter hem).
- Crochet top and wedges for summer.
- Cropped cardigan buttoned up and platform loafers.
- Corset top and heeled sandals for a night out.
- Denim-on-denim with a matching jacket and a white tee.
- Fine knit polo and ballet flats (hemmed shorter).
- Leather jacket, white tank and block-heel boots.
Best shoes with flare jeans
Platforms, block heels and pointed heeled boots are the classic pairing, because the hem covers most of the shoe and the leg looks longer. Pointed flats and loafers work if the jeans are hemmed for flats. Chunky sneakers work for a casual look with a slightly shorter hem. Our outfit formulas show how to build these from what you own.
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Questions people ask about this
What shoes do you wear with flare jeans?
Platforms, block heels and heeled boots, mostly hidden by the hem, which lengthens the leg. Loafers and pointed flats work if the jeans are hemmed for flats.
How long should flare jeans be?
Long enough to cover most of your shoe, about half an inch off the floor in the shoes you wear most. Hem them for that heel height.
What is the difference between flare and bootcut jeans?
Both are fitted through the thigh. Flares widen noticeably from the knee; bootcut widens only slightly, enough to fit over a boot.
Do flare jeans suit petite women?
Yes, with a high rise, a petite inseam or a hem, and a heel or platform. The flare balances the hips and lengthens the leg.
