Bell bottoms: the return of flared jeans

It's about this time every year that the world at large, and not just those in the know such as yourself, start to look to the new year's trends and ponder about the larger direction of clothing. Every December we see this fact played out time and time again, both in the correspondance we receive and in the activity across Fashionising.com, with questions such as are skinny jeans still in fashion becoming increasingly frequent. And the short answer is: yes, skinny jeans are still in fashion - they're going nowhere, at least in terms of trends, fast. But while that's a fact, 2011's fashion trends show the inverse to be true: flared jeans and flared trousers are back for both men and women for as a spring 2011 fashion trend.
Read on to find out more about the return of flares.
If you like this trend let us know by clicking the 'Like' button below. And don't forget that if you'd like to keep up to date with all the latest trends, and how to wear them, you can subscribe to Fashionising.com's newsletter or RSS feed.

Are flares and bell bottoms back in?

The simple answer is yes, flared jeans and bell bottoms (as well as wide-leg pants to an extent, but we'll save those for another day) are back in. The reason why is almost as simple: skinny jeans have become so common, such a staple in most everyone's wardrobe, that people are seeking an alternative. At the same time you have the rise re-rise of 1970s fashion as a major influencer of trends across 2011.

Bell bottoms and flares for men

Often when it comes time to write about a fashion trend we start with the women's interpretation of it and then, usually a year or so later, we write about the menswear take on it. Not so with bell bottoms and flares for men - this is a trouser and jean style that is happening for both genders. Of course, as it is with most fashion trends, the men's interpretation is subtler in fact to describe them as bell bottoms might be something of a misnomer. Bell bottoms, you see, conjures up mental pictures of jeans whose hem is wider then your foot is long - but this isn't the style that's on trend for men in 2011. Instead you're looking for a pair of jeans or trousers slightly wider than a boot cut, but with a slimmer thigh and waist that makes the hemline even more defined.
Acne have nailed the men's look as a part of their spring / summer 2011 collection, with two interpretations of men's flared jeans pictured below. The first is a look perfect for early autumn / fall 2011 trends while the second is more suited to spring / summer and, being hatted, has something of a beachwear overtone to it.