Flare Jeans: How to Wear Them and What Shoes to Pick
Flare jeans are jeans that fit close through the hips and thighs, then widen from the knee down to the hem. They are a modern take on the 1970s bell-bottom, with a slimmer thigh and a more controlled flare. The shape balances curvy hips, lengthens the legs and works with everything from sneakers to heels.
This guide explains how flare jeans differ from bell-bottoms and bootcut jeans, what to wear with them, and which shoes keep the line long.
Key takeaways
- Flares hug the hips and thighs and open from the knee, which balances fuller hips.
- Bootcut is a gentler version of the same idea; bell-bottoms are the widest.
- Keep the top fitted or tucked so the outfit stays balanced.
- Choose shoes that the hem just touches, with a little heel to lengthen the leg.
What are flare jeans?
Flare jeans are fitted from the waist to just above the knee, then widen gradually to the hem. The contrast between a snug top half and an open bottom half creates a long, balanced silhouette, which is why the shape keeps coming back.
Modern flares are usually high-rise with stretch denim. The high waist defines your waist, the fitted thigh shows your shape, and the flare evens out wider hips so the whole body looks in proportion.
Flare vs bootcut vs bell-bottom: what's the difference?
All three widen below the knee. The difference is how much.
| Style | Through the thigh | Below the knee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bootcut | Fitted | A slight opening, sized to sit over a boot | Everyday wear and the office |
| Flare | Fitted | A clear, noticeable widening | Lengthening the leg, evenings, statement outfits |
| Bell-bottom | Fitted or relaxed | A very wide, dramatic bell | Retro and vintage looks |
In practice, the line between a wide bootcut and a soft flare is blurry, and many brands use the names together. That's why we keep both in one bootcut and flare jeans collection.
Who looks good in flare jeans?
Flares are one of the most forgiving shapes. On curvy and pear-shaped figures, the wider hem balances fuller hips and thighs. On straighter figures, the contrast between the fitted thigh and the open hem creates the look of curves. On petite women, a high rise and a heel make the legs look longer.
Flares also work across ages and settings. A dark, high-rise flare with a blazer looks as at home in a meeting as a light wash pair with a tee does at a weekend market. That versatility is a big part of why the shape has outlasted so many trends.
The detail that matters most is the length. The hem should graze the top of your shoe. Too long and it drags; too short and the flare loses its lengthening effect.
What to wear with flare jeans
The golden rule is balance: the bottom is already wide, so keep the top fitted, cropped or tucked.
Fitted tops and bodysuits
A bodysuit or a fitted tee tucked into a high waist shows off your shape and lets the flare stand out. It's the simplest flare outfit and works for day or night.
Blouses and button ups
Tuck a silky blouse or a crisp button up into dark flares for a polished look that works at the office. A half tuck keeps a looser top from hiding your waist.
Jackets
Choose jackets that end at or above the hip: a cropped denim jacket, a faux leather moto jacket or a fitted blazer. Long, boxy layers can hide the waist and shorten the leg.
Crop tops
A crop top that ends right at the high waistband is one of the most flattering flare pairings: it shows the narrowest point of your waist and makes the legs look even longer.
Knitwear
For cooler days, a fitted rib knit or a cropped sweater keeps the proportions right. If the sweater is chunky, tuck in the front.
Looking for the top half? Browse our tops for bodysuits, blouses and crop tops that tuck neatly into a high waist.
Flare jean outfits for every occasion
- Office: dark wash flares, a tucked silky blouse, a fitted blazer and pointed pumps.
- Date night: black flares with a lace or satin bodysuit and block heels.
- Weekend: light wash flares, a fitted tee, a cropped denim jacket and platform sneakers.
- Summer evening: white flares with a halter top and wedge sandals.
- Fall day: medium wash flares with a ribbed knit and heeled ankle boots.
Which wash works best for flares?
Dark wash and black flares look the most polished and the longest, so they're the easiest to dress up. Light wash and white flares feel fresh and relaxed, perfect for warm weather. If you only buy one pair, start with a dark wash: it works for the most occasions.
What shoes go with flare jeans?
Because the hem opens up, the shoes show more than with skinny jeans. A little height keeps the flare from swallowing your feet.
- Block heels: stable, comfortable and the best match for the extra volume at the hem.
- Pointed pumps: let the pointed toe peek out for an elegant, lengthening line.
- Platforms and wedges: add height without a thin heel, great with longer flares.
- Heeled ankle boots: the go-to for fall and winter.
- Platform sneakers: for casual days, choose a chunkier sole so the hem doesn't drag.
Buy and hem flares for the shoes you'll wear most. A pair hemmed for heels will drag with flat shoes.
Flare dress pants: the office version
The flare shape works just as well in tailored fabrics. Flared dress pants with a high waist and stretch give the same balanced, leg-lengthening line in a polished finish for work. You'll find them in our dress pants collection.
Why a butt lifting flare works so well
A flare already balances the hips. Add a butt lifting back with curved seams and a high, cinching waistband, and the jeans shape the seat as well, so you get a defined waist, a lifted curve and a long leg in one piece. You can read more about the construction in how butt lifting jeans work.
Find your flare
Butt lifting bootcut and flare jeans, designed in Miami since 2006, with a cinching waistband and stretch that lifts.
- Free shipping over $100
- Hassle-free returns
- Buy any 3 for $120
Frequently asked questions
Are flare jeans and bootcut jeans the same?
Close, but not the same. Both widen below the knee; a flare opens more noticeably, while a bootcut has a slight opening sized to fit over a boot.
How long should flare jeans be?
Long enough that the hem grazes the top of your shoe, with just the toe showing. Hem them for the heel height you wear most.
Can you wear flare jeans with sneakers?
Yes. Choose a platform or chunkier sole and a slightly shorter hem so the jeans don't drag on the ground.
Do flare jeans make your legs look longer?
Yes, especially with a high rise and a little heel. The open hem covers most of the shoe and extends the line of the leg.
The bottom line
Flare jeans balance your shape, lengthen your legs and dress up or down easily. Keep the top fitted, pick shoes with some height and get the hem length right. At Moda Xpress, our flares add a butt lifting back for even more shape.