FASHION'S FAVOURITE F-WORD
Life isn't perfect, but flared jeans are

Want to bet that many of you are wearing flared jeans as we speak? We can't prove it, but if the success of our own LES FLARES jeans is anything to go by, you all have been having a flared fling en masse. Just like us, you simply can't get enough of them. With good reason, the flared fit is genius. The formula for success: once attracted = permanently hooked.

Why?

The flared fit is 'slimming' and, as an added bonus, makes your legs look longer.

That's why.

Flared jeans are anything but new, they have an impressive history and (r)evolution behind them. And who are we to keep you in the dark about that? Exactement... Time for an old-fashioned PLEIN PUBLIQUE history lesson.

FLARE, FLAIR, BELL-BOTTOM OF BOOTCUT?

Because the proliferation of names creates confusion, let's do this first. 'Flared' is synonym for 'extending' or 'spreading out', and of course we're talking about the legs. 'Flared' actually says nothing about the height at which the flared shape starts (thigh, knee) or how wide the hem is. For example, the Pallazzo pants are also flared pants, but here we limit ourselves to jeans and jeans-related pants. 'Flared' is the most commonly used term in today's fashion world for trousers that gradually become wider from the knee down. Especially because 'bell-bottom' and 'bootcut' sound old-fashioned and 'flair' is simply a spelling mistake. All clear? Let's continue...

IN THE NAVY (lalalalala-lalala ♪ ♫)

Irritating but true: like so many of our female fashion faves, it is men who were the first to claim the wide-leg trousers. 19th century, US Navy, new rule: sailors must clean the deck barefoot, with their trouser legs rolled up. This requires pants that can easily be rolled up without having to take off shoes or boots first: the bell-bottom pants, named after the bell-shaped leg. As boot wearers from the very beginning, the cowboys quickly caught on, which also explains the term 'bootcut'.

 * Side note: quite funny, the shared maritime roots of our 'old faithful' success song the Breton stripe and our latest hit, flared jeans Les Flares.

 COCO CHANEL STRIKES (AGAIN)

Coco Chanel (who else...) was right there in the 1920s and adopted sailor trousers as a fashion statement. The looser fit aligns perfectly with her mission: freeing women from the (literal) straitjacket of fashion..

* See the dude on the right? Coco is wearing the pants, he clearly isn't ;)

IT'S HIP TO BE FLARE

On to the 60's. In response to the Vietnam War, politically engaged teenagers shop for second-hand army and navy clothing at the dump store. Flared trousers, but also military jackets and bags, are decorated with flowers and peace signs, completely in line with the 'peace & love' attitude of the hippie lifestyle.

Flared pants only really become counter culture icons when the music scene catches on: groundbreaking artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Sonny & Cher and Fleetwood Mac literally express the new standard in flared jeans.

 

 

 DESIGNER FLARES

Towards the 1970s, the fashion world staged a successful coup on flared jeans. From anti-fashion bombardment to high fashion, thanks to Mary Quant and Yves Saint Laurent, among others.

Hollywood and the European film and entertainment world are also falling under the spell of flared jeans. All three Charlie's Angels, and Farah Fawcett in particular, are inextricably linked to flared fits. Style icons Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot, to name a few, are also often seen in flared fits.

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS

It's hard to imagine these days, but back in the day (60's & 70's) trend-sensitive men also wore flared jeans. Marvel at the male style icons of the past.

 

 ALONG CAME PUNK

With the arrival of punk in the late 70's/early 80's, the flared fit slowly but surely made way for skinny and baggy. That's how it works in fashion, the hunger for novelty is an ongoing process.

BACK FROM NEVER REALLY GONE

Did we say goodbye to flared jeans for good after the 80's? Nope! Although never completely wiped out, flared jeans are currently 100% back on track. And that is great news. We already mentioned it in the first paragraph: a flared fit does wonders for your figure. The secret:

  • The varying hem 'mirrors' the shape of your hips, thus balancing your figure
  • Although figure-correcting and flattering, the slim-fit hip and thigh zone do not hide your feminine curves
  • The wider hem does not fall on but over your shoes, making your legs look longer

    It is clear: team PLEIN PUBLIQUE is, without exception, a big fan of flared jeans. We have expanded our own pride, LES FLARES, several times since its introduction with new colors and washes. And we will continue with that for a while, so be alert and keep an eye on the PLEIN PUBLIQUE online boutique.

    Love,
    team Plein Publique