How to Navigate the Flared Jeans Resurgence
Flares are firmly back in the conversation. Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl appearance in washed-out Celine flared jeans has reignited interest in the ’70s silhouette, with searches on Lyst up 412% this quarter alone — proof of how strongly tastemakers can steer the menswear conversation.
First worn by American sailors in the late 1800s for practicality, flares later became a symbol of rebellion in the ’60s and ’70s, picked up by youth protest movements and sold in military surplus stores. Their countercultural roots gave them fashion clout, and brands ran with it, cementing flares as one of the era’s defining styles.
Though they’ve long been tied to the retro aesthetic of the ’70s, designers have been nudging them back into rotation. Alessandro Michele’s Gucci was a key player, and artists like Harry Styles kept the flame alive. But Kendrick’s low-key, wearable spin shows the power of smart styling in making flares feel current.
Ready to bring them into your wardrobe? Here’s how to wear flares now.
01. Double Up On Denim
To truly embrace the origins of flares, pair your jeans with a coordinated jacket in a similar wash — this nod to vintage styling captures the spirit of the silhouette without tipping into costume territory. We suggest opting for a spring-ready washed-out tone, but this uniform approach works in almost any wash. If the matching tonality isn’t quite your speed, swapping out either piece for a darker indigo wash will keep the textural consistency while giving some color contrast to your look.
The trick of making double denim work is to keep the rest of your look fairly low-key and let the cohesive statement do the talking. A well-chosen vintage-inspired tee and thoughtful shoe pairing will help reinforce the inspiration while keeping the look firmly rooted in wearable staples.
02. A Contemporary Spin
If you’re coming to flares off the heels of Kendrick, then it may be best to follow his approach and bring the style firmly into 2025. A short jacket option and casual accessories can help ground the flared denim into a much more contemporary style, and brands like Amiri offer styles that break the mold and feel more streetwear-adjacent than retro-feeling.
Flared jeans are designed to be worn with a boot (hence the term boot-cut), and while we’re strong advocates for this combination, Kendrick stepping out in a pair of obscured Nikes has turned our heads. Finishing your flared look with a pair of simple sneakers is the way to make your outfit 2025-ready.
03. Suited and Booted
Brands like Husbands have shown the power of a flare jean worn with a blazer. Juxtaposing the ultra-casual and more formal ends of the style spectrum can be an effective way to build a look.
It’s an outfit with enough polish and flair — pun intended — to carry you from a long lunch meeting to an afternoon gallery visit. Opt for a darker denim wash here; it tempers the casual nature of the jeans and lets the formality of the blazer take the lead.
04. High-Low Textures
Denim remains one of the most casual fabrics in your wardrobe. Long associated with rebels and rockstars — flares included — washed-out jeans still carry that laid-back, attitude-driven energy. It may no longer be an act of rebellion, but it’s still rich with personality to play with.
Combining that attitude with more elegant sensibilities — like a soft leather shoe and drapey knitted top — creates an unexpected combination of ideas, resulting in an outfit more interesting than the sum of its parts.
Shop More Flared Jeans
Whether you're looking to test the waters or fully dive into the trend, this selection of flares should have you covered.