What are flare jeans?
Flare jeans, also searched as flared jeans or flared denim, are cut close through the hip and thigh and then open out from the knee into a wide, sweeping hem. That shape borrows from the 1970s and keeps returning because it lengthens the leg and balances the hips in a way few other cuts manage. At Fashorio you will find flare denim in mid rise and high rise fits, from clean retro lines and dark indigo to raw hems, frayed edges and a few colored washes. The flare is measured at the leg opening, so a stronger flare has a wider hem and a softer one sits closer to a bootcut.
Flare jeans vs other denim
If you are deciding between shapes, here is how a flare compares with the cuts people weigh it against:
- Flare vs skinny: a skinny stays narrow to the ankle, while a flare hugs the thigh then widens dramatically below the knee.
- Flare vs bootcut: bootcut opens only slightly at the hem to clear a boot, a flare opens far more for a bolder line.
- Flare vs wide leg: a wide leg runs full and straight from the hip, a flare is fitted first and flares later.
- Flare vs straight leg: a straight leg keeps one width top to bottom, a flare tapers through the thigh then sweeps out.
Who flare jeans suit
Flares flatter nearly every shape because the widening hem draws the eye down and evens out the line from waist to floor. If you carry weight through the hips, the balanced volume works in your favor. If you are petite, a high rise flare with a long hem worn over a heel adds real height, so avoid cropping the leg too short. Straight and athletic figures gain curve from the sweep at the hem, and curvier shapes can reach for the same silhouette in our plus size denim. The one constant is that a flare rewards a defined waist, which is why the high rise fits tend to be the most flattering.
How to style flare jeans
The flare does a lot of the work, so keep the top half simple and let the leg lead:
- Daytime: tuck a fitted knit into a high rise flare, add loafers and a shoulder bag for an easy, put together errand look.
- Evening: pair dark flare denim with a satin cami and a heel hidden under the hem for one long, clean line.
- Weekend: throw a denim jacket over a plain tee and let the flare read casual with flat boots.
Getting the fit right
Flare jeans live or die by hem length, so measure before you buy. The wide opening is meant to graze the floor over a low heel or platform, which is why buying for your shoe height matters more here than with most denim. Take your true waist size for the fitted upper leg, then check the inseam printed on each product page against our sizing guide. Size up one if you want the relaxed retro drape rather than a second skin fit through the thigh, and remember that a raw or unfinished hem can be shortened by a tailor if you fall between lengths.
Washes and details to look for
Wash sets the mood as much as the cut. A deep, even indigo dresses up for evening and reads polished with a heel, while a lighter blue with whiskering and fading leans casual and vintage. Raw and frayed hems add a lived in edge, clean hems keep things sharp, and a rare colored flare is the easiest way to make the shape feel new. Look for a touch of stretch in the blend if you want give through the day, and a firmer, rigid denim if you prefer the hem to hold its shape and swing.
Find your flare
From color flare jeans to classic indigo, the flare remains one of the most flattering cuts in denim history, part of the same family as the bell bottom styles that made it famous. Browse the full flare jeans edit, then see how the shape sits beside every other cut in our jeans collection.
