How to Style Dark Denim Flares | With a Boxy Print Top and White Cut Out Bomber Jacket

White cut out jacket, black and white boxy top, dark flared denim
The trend for flared denim (and all things 70s, let’s be honest) seems to have really caught on this year.

I never thought I’d go back to them after loving skinnies for so long, but as always I’m having to eat my words when it comes to trends rolling around again…!

These dark denim flares are so old I can’t even tell (or remember) where they’re from, but they’ll do for now until I track down the best high waisted flares I can find. They’re quite hard to style second time around; the biggest problem is footwear. I have a few pairs of brown and tan chunky-heeled sandals and shoes that would work well with them, but I wanted to wear my lovely black and white boxy print top from Cavells (the brand is Bitte Kai Rand and I adore the loose shape and graphic print) so black wedges were better this time.

The white cut out bomber jacket is from Asos – I’d had my eye on it for ages – and as the weather has warmed up a lot recently I can now wear it without the natural ‘ventilation holes’ making me cold. It’s made of scuba fabric (gawd I’m loving scuba fabric lately) and it’s lovely and squidgy with edgy embroidery detail.

Just one thing – Boys: please don’t touch flared jeans with a bargepole. We’ve only just managed to convince you that they’re really rather dated for men, so please stick to skinnies/slim legs for now. I beg of you.

Are you on board with the trend for flared jeans? What cut and colour are you going for?

Catherine x

White cut out jacket, black and white graphic top
White cut out jacket, black and white boxy top, dark flared denim
White cut out jacket, black and white graphic boxy top, dark flared denim
White cut out jacket, black and white boxy top
White cut out jacket, black and white boxy top
Jacket: Asos | Top: Bitte Kai Rand c/o Cavells | Jeans: Old, unknown | Wedges: Asos | Sunglasses: c/o Lulus | Earrings: Old, unknown | Bracelets: Asos | Necklace: c/o Front Row Shop | Nails: Barry M gnp3 Watermelon

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36 Comments

  1. 27 April 2015 / 1:49 am

    I have always loved flared jeans and so glad they are back on trend. I have a pair that I need to dig out and pray they fit. Loving how you paired yours with that great jacket!

    Thank you for joining TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you Thursday.

    Alice
    http://www.happinessatmidlife.com

    • 27 April 2015 / 8:20 pm

      Haha that's what I thought about these flares when I got them out, Alice!! Luckily they have some stretch – the excess Christmas weight still hasn't shifted yet ;))

      Thank you my lovely xx

  2. 24 April 2015 / 5:33 pm

    Beautiful top and jacket. My favourite black and white too. I had never thought I would hear you mention the brand Bitte Kai Rand. I only saw this (Scandinavian?) brand in Brugge (Belgium). Strange fashion they made back then. This top is much better. The jacket will be a staple piece in your wardrobe I am sure.
    Greetje

    • 27 April 2015 / 8:19 pm

      Thanks Greetje – and yes, they're Danish – they definitely have some beautiful pieces now! It's funny because I think their style is very typically Scandinavian, and I like that about them. xoxo

  3. 22 April 2015 / 6:25 pm

    That jacket is just incredible! I love it with the black and white pattern – glad it's finally warm enough for you to wear it, it doesn't deserve to be kept in the closet 🙂

    I think flares can be very flattering on many women, but I really don't like them on men – which isn't fair, I know!

    • 27 April 2015 / 8:17 pm

      Thank you, Tine – it's a real statement piece, isn't it… love that embroidery. And I really got into boxy tops last year so it's another for my collection…! xo

  4. 22 April 2015 / 3:32 pm

    Hello. I've just come across this article and never normally post but this is a first I hope that's ok being a male?
    I'm going to confess to buying my first pair of Topman flares (hides from girls throwing stuff in anger) and I have to say I LOVE THEM. I wear 'em, I love 'em and I'm not ashamed ha!
    Unlike skinnies they don't make my size ten feet look like clowns feet, they don't squash my vitals and they have a certain style that skinny jeans lack. Most of all they are comfy.
    I grow tired of years wandering into a mens clothing store and seeing skinny, spray on skinny, super skinny, ultra you're never gonna have kids again skinny plastered on every wall. Menswear is getting stagnant and in need of resuscitation, especially jeans.
    Women are so lucky. They get a huge variety of styles to choose from but men get skinny, skinny and nothing but the skinny. It's boring. I would like more of a choice.
    I'll buy more flares if they become available in other shops. I've had no negative comments so far (not to my face anyway) so I will continue to stick two fingers up at the skinny jean and hopefully relish in it's death in the mens world. It'll probably not happen just yet but it's bubbling.
    I love the 70's styles and may go out and buy myself a roll neck jumper to go with my dark navy wash flared jeans. Try and stop me.

    • 27 April 2015 / 8:15 pm

      Hi Matt! The reason I said about men not wearing flares is because where I live, SKINNY jeans haven't even caught on yet. I'm not talking teenagers, I'm talking 30+ or middle aged men. The "flares" I'm referring to are just very, very wide Simon Cowell-style jeans that have been out of style for about 10 years. They drag on the ground at the back and are terribly unflattering – they're nowhere near proper 70s flares.

      Now if they went a little more straight leg or slightly skinny they would simply look less dated, and there's nothing worse than jeans that are out of style to make men OR women look dated. And I have to disagree about having nothing else to choose from – I guess unless you live in a large city (unlike a rural town like me) – there's nothing but skinny jeans for women at the moment (trying to find the good flares is so hard) and baggy jeans for men. One VERY well known denim brand didn't even have *one* pair in their collection when I looked a couple of weeks ago!

      It sounds like you're much further ahead style-wise than the 20 and 30-something and middle aged men I see – I actually like the sound of dark navy wash flares with a roll neck…! But most everyday men aren't wearing "flares" because they think it's fashionable, it's because they're years out of date ;))

      P.S. And of course it's okay for a guy to comment…!

  5. 22 April 2015 / 11:24 am

    Oh man, one thing I hate more than men with tucked jeans in boots is men with flared jeans, it's just not right damn it!
    Also, I am dying to get a pair of 70's flared jeans, but just can't find that perfect shape, for a decent price mind you! 😀
    I love your jeans, especially with those black gorgeous shoes!

    • 27 April 2015 / 8:04 pm

      I'm looking for the perfect shape too, Keit – it's amazing how few standard high street shops just hardly have any choice of flares right now. So it might have to be the expensive ones I try first…!! Thanks hun, and agree with you about flares on men ;))

  6. 22 April 2015 / 11:03 am

    I LOVE that jacket! Such a cool piece. Also, I'm really glad that Flares are back. I don't wear them often, but I do love wearing them! I've had mine for the last 10 years!
    xoxo,
    Nikki at http://www.bedazzlesafterdark.com

    • 27 April 2015 / 8:02 pm

      Thanks, Nikki! I'm surprised how many people are glad they're back – I think it's almost a relief for many…!! 😉

  7. 21 April 2015 / 9:01 pm

    That jacket is a fantastic statement piece so fun. I still love flares. They are more flattering for my shape so I never really a stopped wearing them. As long as they are I. A dark wash I think they are a classic.

    • 21 April 2015 / 9:36 pm

      Thanks, Jane! It's taken me a while to lust after them again but now I'm all over them like a rash! 😉

  8. 21 April 2015 / 5:37 pm

    I love that jacket, Catherine. It's so gorgeous and the cut out detailing is just lovely x

    • 21 April 2015 / 7:09 pm

      Yes they absolutely do, Jess!! Thank you hun x

  9. 21 April 2015 / 2:21 pm

    Hi Catherine, what a great top and jacket! I wouldn't call it a bomber jacket though, I am somewhat of a bomberjacket specialist ( I collect them, well that's better than model trains..) What I really like is that you pulled out an old pair of jeans from an unknown brand, how cool is that on a fashionblog!

    • 21 April 2015 / 3:40 pm

      Asos have called it a bomber jacket, Irmin, so I called it that for SEO reasons really. I think the basic shape is a bomber jacket shape (as opposed to a fitted jacket with darts) so that's probably why they called it that, to differentiate between shapes.

      I'm amazed I still have these jeans, to be honest…!!

  10. 21 April 2015 / 9:58 am

    Seriously chic, and you prove that flares don't have to mean boho, which I do like but feel it's overdone when it comes to working the current 70's trend. I really adore that blouse and the jacket makes the look elegant and modern (I am a real monochrome fan, your accessorizing is top notch too, might have to check out those bracelets!). xo

    • 21 April 2015 / 3:38 pm

      Yeah I'm not really a boho girl either, Steff – and I've been well into monochrome looks lately too! Thanks sweetie xx

  11. 21 April 2015 / 7:54 am

    I am a bit slow to warm up to trends – especially recurring ones, but yes, I'll probably be on board :-). Love your top, Bitte Kai Rand makes some excellent pieces. One thing I'm glad is back is the high waist.

    • 21 April 2015 / 3:36 pm

      Hmm yes low rise jeans are such a 90s thing, aren't they Mette?! I'm glad flares are back too! Thanks so much x

    • 21 April 2015 / 3:36 pm

      Hmm yes low rise jeans are such a 90s thing, aren't they Mette?! I'm glad flares are back too! Thanks so much x

  12. 21 April 2015 / 12:54 am

    Loving this look so much! Those jeans are incredible and I love that top and the print! I love love that jacket so much and need to get my hands on it!

    Denise | Fashion Love Letters

    • 21 April 2015 / 3:35 pm

      It's still available, Denise – but things sell out at Asos quickly so don't take too long if you do! Thank you xoxo

  13. 20 April 2015 / 8:54 pm

    I have one pair of flared jeans and looking at these pictures as convicted me to wear them and I was so determined that I wouldn't!

    • 21 April 2015 / 3:34 pm

      Haha we're on the same page, Suzanne – thank you hun 🙂

  14. 20 April 2015 / 8:01 pm

    Love this outfit on you. Makes me want to try a pair of flares for the first time ever and the jacket is amazing.

    • 21 April 2015 / 3:34 pm

      Thank you sweetie – I do rather love this jacket myself…!!

  15. 20 April 2015 / 4:27 pm

    I am really excited for this trend, I am pretty over feeling suffocated in skinnies!

  16. 20 April 2015 / 4:24 pm

    I'm not a big fan of the flare although I do like a boot cut. Love your jacket, looks lovely the way you styled it. Lorraine

    • 21 April 2015 / 3:33 pm

      I never thought I was either, hun – I'm surprised I didn't get rid of these! Thank you x

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