Flares

The 1970s-inspired flared denim has been all over spring trend alerts, and I have some ambiguous sentiments, vacillating daily it seems between an intense urge to own a pair and an intense skepticism, and indeed almost dread. Again, I demand myself, rhetorically of course. With some of the photo spreads I have been perusing in recent days, I am immediately transported to my wretched middle school days and fashion foibles, when I insisted to my mother that I would die without flared jeans and that in no way, ever, would I grow sick of them and want to wear a more mild bootleg or fitted style. Since then, I have learned to avoid such dogmatically vehement statements.The truth is, I love the look, however, am also a realist and understand that I generally enjoy the trend on a model form, and not other, perhaps slightly wider, female body types. Definitely paired with a high-wedge or a thick tapered heel, these flared denims can create some cascading calves and miles long legs, but generally only if you already have that genetic leaning towards some height. There is a reason that the 1970s flared denim emerges occasionally, rearing its wild head, as a popular trend, but fails to maintain any type of stronghold as a closet staple for a comprehensive wardrobe.

Gap, as usual, delivers in offering an affordable option for this season's trend: the above pair are available in a medium and lighter rinse, each for 79$. I have not seen the Gap style in person yet, however, I was slightly surprised by the overwhelming positivity and optimism imbued in the customer reviews on the website. Many shorter, curvy women are apparently swearing by these pants, which, to be frank, I find rather hard to believe and can only deduce that these women have no concept how to dress themselves in an attractive and appropriate manner. Though I agree that for a pear-shape lady or lady who is a bit meatier through the hips a bootleg cut can offer greater balance, and indeed the cigarette tight style is not an always flattering option, my experience has been that an intense flare will serve to only add the illusion of extra weight to someone with bold hips. Also, an exaggerated wide bottom on shorter legs has mostly created a more stumpy and frumpy look, rather than elongating the leg. And the greatest mistake if you have the grand misfortune of having short legs is making those legs appear even shorter.That being said, perhaps women who are medium in height are pairing these jeans with, again, some intensely high heels or wedges, and thus are giving their legs the necessary rocket boost to long and lean legs.

All of this reflection on the 1970s trend has got me rather curious, and I am considering going on a Gap adventure this weekend, to do some reconnaissance myself; if I do manage to fight the cold, I will be sure to document the experiment in full. Apparently, this denim is rather thick and so could be a nice pair of transition pants from late winter to early spring. Please, try not to raise your heart rate in anticipation and bated breath, I will keep you posted when I have reached a more proper conclusion.

(image taken from Gap)