Flares. Don't be afraid of this tricky trend. Here's how.
As you may have heard, Seventies is fashion's new favourite decade - an era that throws numerous tricky looks back under the microscope; furnishing prints, fringing, gypsy tops and, that most difficult of trouser shapes, flares.
Designers that have tried to persuade us that flares are back for spring/summer 2015 include House of Holland, Balmain and the holy grail of brands and the one fashion editors universally bow to, Celine. Prepare to be told that they are slimming, retro and bohemian, of which they are sometimes, but truthfully this is a style that should be handled with care and to say otherwise would be disingenuous. No one wants to look like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever or Donny Osmond circa, well, ever.
Ironically considering how utterly impractical flares are now (anyone who has ever boldly/ill-advisedly worn flares in the rain will know what I mean), they were first created for sailors at the turn of the 19th Century apparently because it was easier to grab them when they fell overboard. Then they were adopted by Sixties icons such as Jimi Hendrix, Twiggy, Mick Jagger, Marc Bolan and Jane Birkin, who brings us to our first way of wearing flares.
Birkin was student of the bohemian school of flare-wearing; she opted for high-waisted faded styles and teamed them with gypsy-style off-the-shoulder tops, or with a loose, simple T-shirt tucked in. Kate Moss took a similar slant back in 2006 when she made everyone fancy flares again after wearing hers with a slouchy grey top at a Topshop catwalk show. A Breton top would be another alternative, offering a breezy nautical appeal.
But for those not keen on adopting a boho Birkin look, flares can look sleek. We refer to Victoria Beckham, who would not look pared-down even if she were to wear a pair of ripped jeans and Converse. She wears hers like Eva Mendes, in classic indigo shades with a jumper and shirt. Katie Holmes, another flares fan, opts for the classic route (quelle surprise) and usually goes for a simple white shirt (we recommend a simple cotton or silk style).
Next we give you the rock star version. Please see Marc Bolan, David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards for more details. On the catwalk this came from Tom Ford, think velvet, glitter and metallics and Jagger-esque attitude. This isn't about being a groupie girl; this is for those that who want to play in the band, whose hair is naturally messed up from on-stage thrashing about (Alison Mosshart), not through a bottle of Baptiste and hairspray (us). Accessorise with ridiculous platforms.
But what to wear on your feet? It depends on the length of your flares, but gladiator sandals in the summer or a brown wedge for a decidedly Sixties-Seventies feel. Converse work too and are much easier on the feet.
Flares are not an easy win and it'll be tricky to get us out of our skinnies, but we'll let Jane Birkin guide the way.
Follow Ella Alexander on Twitter at @ella__alexander.
Picture Editor: Sandra Waibl
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Getty ImagesAn early pioneer of flares Steve Nicks during the Seventies.
Rex FeaturesAh Jane Birkin, the high priestess of flares (if there was such a thing), teams her high-waisted style with a gypsy top for a boho option.
Getty ImagesFleetwood Mac imbue carefree Seventies cool in their faded flares.
Getty ImagesIntroducing the flared denim brigade, also known as legendary rock band The Runaways.
Rex FeaturesClaudia Schiffer pares hers with a plaid shirt and sandals for the school run in 2011.
PA PhotosFrench Vogue editor Emmanuelle Alt demonstrates how to perfect proportions in 2015 at a cocktail party in Paris.
Rex FeaturesEva Mendes, another flares fan, works hers with a slouchy jumper and clogs in 2012.
Getty ImagesKate Moss uses her inexplicable powers to make us all fancy flares once again at the Topshop show in 2006.
Rex FeaturesOlivia Palermo manages to make the unlikely combination of ran flares and zebra jacket look chic in 2011.
Rex FeaturesVictoria Beckham adds her trademark groomed appeal to this indigo denim style in 2012.
