It’s no secret I love denim. All things denim. So it’s no surprise I’m also a big fan of bell bottoms. Deep down, I think I was meant to live in the 70s. That decade had the best style if you ask me. Concert tees, bell bottoms and platform heels. YES.
I have a handful of high waisted bell bottoms jeans that I just love. A light wash pair perfect for spring and summer or more casual looks. And then a supersaturated dark wash pair that almost work as a trouser if you do it right. I also picked up some white ones last year that are great for summer.
I love a high waisted bell bottom pant for a few reasons. And I think they feel fancier than plain old skinny jeans. I also think they can be very flattering! They balance out your hips and elongate your legs. Can’t go wrong there.
Are Bell Bottoms Back In Style
Flare jeans or bell bottoms are just a super flared leg that was made popular in the 70s. But they’ve had many big comeback moments every so often where they seem to be everywhere. To me, either way, it’s one of those things that are sort of always in style. It’s a denim silhouette you can rely on for years.
But they definitely have those seasons that they’re more coveted and the 70’s boho vibes are happening more. Either way, I’m a fan and plan on wearing them forever. So here are a few tips on how to wear bell bottoms.
How To Style Bell Bottoms
My biggest tip to styling this silhouette is to look for a few things. First, high waisted. I just think they’re more flattering and allow a longer line on your body. Second, get them tailored to work with your preferred shoes. You want them to just kiss the ground. No higher, but can definitely go longer and have them puddle a bit.
And lastly, balance. If your pant leg is super wide, keep things more tailored and fitted up top. It’ll be less overwhelming on your body and be much more flattering.
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Best Shoes To Wear With Bell Bottoms
Shoes seem to always be a popular question I get about bell bottoms. I actually did a WHOLE post on it here. The takeaways, go chunky and tall. Tailor your flare jeans and bell bottoms for your go to shoes so they aren’t a mess or too short. I personally love a platform peep toe with a wide leg jean.
In the summer I go for a big wedge espadrille, or a chunky heel. In the fall and winter, a chunky bootie, combat boots or block heel mule works perfectly.
I also find myself reaching for a pointed toe pump or bootie too so it peeks out from the wider leg. Really, you just want to keep the length of your jeans in mind. Always touching the ground!
How To Dress Up Bell Bottoms
Dressing up bell bottoms is my go-to. Whenever I need to feel put together for a business casual meeting, I usually grab my dark wash bell bottoms. They’re almost like a trouser in my book. Just add a pretty blouse and blazer and you’re good to go. A pretty sweater is also nice tucked in.
How To Accessorize Bell Bottoms
Just like your favorite skinny jeans, you can accessorize flared denim just the same. Lean into a few fashion trends to accessorize your outfits. Add a great belt to polish off your look. A pretty bag or clutch, and voila, a complete outfit!
7 Outfit Ideas With Bell Bottom Jeans
To inspire you to try the bell bottom trend and flare pant, here are a few of my favorite personal outfits and ones I’m admiring! You can also swap the bell-bottoms for a cropped flare or regular flared jeans too.
Casual
A cropped cozy sweater and mules is a more casual and boho-inspired way to style a flare or bell bottoms. Since these are a high rise, I prefer the crop sweater so it’s more balanced. High waisted flared jeans just feel more flattering to me. The low rise tends to feel too trendy. Since these are wide on the bottom, I really like the crop top length to balance it out on top.
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Business Casual
When going business casual with your wide-leg jeans, go dark and add a third piece. Darker wash jeans almost feel like a trouser when done right. Adding a third piece like a blazer or jacket of some sort completes the look and makes it feel more polished.
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White Bell Bottoms For Summer
White bell-bottoms feel SO fun and 70s inspired to me. Pair them with a graphic tee or a blousy tank. Add a denim jacket for color or a long thin cardigan. White flared jeans are great for summer outfits and to me, they feel more dressy and cool than just a pair of white skinny jeans or white shorts.
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Wide Leg Jeans For Spring
Whenever I’m styling something for spring I reach for lightweight utility jackets and open-toed shoes. Love this combination for dresses, shorts or jeans. And it obviously works perfectly with wide leg or flare jeans too.
Photo via Gal Meets Glam
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Perfect Layers
Layers can be tough with wide-leg jeans as you want to make sure you aren’t adding too much volume. Keeping things long and lean is smart! Loving this long vest paired with a simple turtleneck.
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Black Wide Leg Jeans For Winter
Branch out into black washed denim for a new take on this 70s look. Paired with a baby blue cozy sweater, this is my go-to outfit for winter when I don’t want to be in straight leg jeans. You can also easily add a moto jacket to this to complete the look or a long trench for fall.
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Brown Wide Leg 70’s Style Trousers
When I think of a true 70’s inspired bell bottom, this is it. The brown color, the super wide leg fit starting from above the knee, it’s so good. This is a fun look for spring or early fall. When thinking of which shoe to style with brown wide leg jeans, I always go for more 70’s please. Shoe styling is key when it comes to finishing off your outfit in a wide leg pant. I went with a 70’s inspired clog with a chunky platform
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Best Bell Bottoms
Sezane 70’s Trouser
These may be my favorite that feel like a true wide leg pant or bell bottoms. They come in a few washes like the brown seen in this blog post, classic indigo denim and even a blush pink. I think this is going to be a style they keep around for a while with new washes. I’d recommend sizing up as I always do in Sezane.
Good American Flare Leg Jeans
Good American jeans are such great quality and fit. The flare-leg jeans they have are the perfect wide leg flare that’s fitted to the knee, then flared. I love this su per dark wash that you can wear to the office, or out and about in your day to day. Good American also has a wide sizing range to fit more bodies. You can shop these up to a size 30.
Le High Waist Jeans by Frame
Frame makes fabulous denim and is definitely a bit of a splurge. But these Le High Waist jeans are so chic and a great closet staple. I love the black wash but they come in a few other denim washes as well. You can find them in a light wash denim great for spring and summer. And even a white denim is perfect to wear for summer days.
