How to Wear Flare Pants
Happy Thursday! Last week I introduced a new semi-regular series, Budget Brand Focus. Our focus was J.Crew Factory. In that post I suggest shopping budget brands if you want to try a trend or a new-to-you style. One is far more likely to try something new if there is less risk involved – and a lower price point makes that trendy item a lot less risky. I took my own advice and this week I am sharing a new-to-me style: flare pants. I have a few strategies for testing out a new-to-you style with How to Wear Flare Pants.
The Summary
Kelly shares new-to-her flare pants for Petites
Plus tips on how to wear a new-to-you item or trend
Kelly’s outfit is shoppable via text and image widgets
Don’t miss the alternate stylings at the end of the post with shoppable text widgets
How to Wear Flare Pants
How to Wear a New-to-You Item (or Trend)
This is my first pair of flare pants. I bought into wide leg pants a few years ago and never looked back. But there was something about flared pants that I couldn’t get onboard with. Being petite, I probably tried some on years ago when longer styles were the thing (they still are). I likely thought they drowned me and then made up my mind never to don a flared leg.
Well, luckily for me, cropped pants have won the day because cropped flares are everywhere this year. And since I am all for second chances, I decided to try cropped flare pants in petite sizing. And to me, the Cropped Flare is the Cinderella slipper of flare styles.
If you’re a petite, trying a trend in petite sizing is key – especially if it’s a style you’ve always thought does not work for petites. It takes a lot of imagination to accept a new-to-you item or trend if you’re trying it on in a regular size. You want that new-to-you item to blow your mind as soon as you take a step back and look in the mirror.
Go with Classic Wardrobe Staples
This tip is a page out of Beth's book. Once you find your proper fit, you’ve made the purchase and you’re ready to step out in your new item, it’s time to style it. The easiest way to accept, and love the way a trend looks and feels on you is to style that item with classic wardrobe staples. This is especially true if you’re risk averse when it comes to fashion, or you’re trying something you’ve always thought was a no-no for your body type. Ease yourself in. So I am going with the ultimate classic staples: a white tee and denim jacket.
For starters, these are green cropped flare pants. Lol. Some of you might want to stop right there, at the green (they also come in white and light blue). But, I am a lover of color, so this green is right up my alley. But since they are green and flared, I want to keep everything else simple and that means going with classic wardrobe staples.
Let’s talk about the pants first. The Kelsey Linen-Blend Flare Pants are on the thick side of linen, rather than the breezy side. They are in fact lined, which is nice, but these are not the go-to summer linen pants for those in hot climates. If you live in the northern regions, I think these pants would work on a mild summer day (one could wear them all summer in San Francisco, for instance). Down here in Georgia, these will be reserved for a chilly spring day (like today), fall, and winter.
I am wearing petite 0 and the fit is spot-on. I like where the hem hits, just above my ankle, and the waist sits at my natural waist. My body shape is pretty straight, so if you have hips, you might want to size up one size. One thing I wish these pants had is an inside button closure in addition to the two tab closures. I find that without the button as reinforcement, the bottom tab comes undone when I sit down. However, it’s unnoticeable to anyone.
Classic Staples: White Tee, Denim Jacket
A white crewneck tee is about as simple as it gets. This is why it’s a classic wardrobe staple. A white tee goes with literally everything. Dress it up or down, it’s there for you. Keep it simple, check!
My denim jacket is about 10 years old, from J.Crew. But J.Crew Factory has basically the same version of the Classic Jean Jacket, in a slightly lighter wash. A denim jacket is a no-brainer as my third layer for an outfit like this. A denim jacket (year-round) is just like a white tee. Dress it up, dress it down, it’s always there for you; ready to be layered over any outfit you can imagine.
Classic Wardrobe Staples: Ballet Flat
(Rothy’s)
Is there any shoe more unassuming than a ballet flat? I can’t think of one. Like a white tee, you can slip on a ballet flat with just about anything. There are classic round-toe ballet flats, and then there’s the next level up, which I guess could be said about The Point Mary Jane. Still flat and unassuming, the pointy toe and cute strap give these flats a little extra something without saying too much.
I wanted the material of my bag to tie in with my shoes. To me, coordinating material type works like tying in color for a lot of my outfits. For this reason, I like to have a Rothy’s Wristlet that generally goes with the shoes I have from that brand. I have a few each (shoes and wristlets) and they are really mix-and-matchable. So I like to think of this Python-printed Wristlet and The Point Mary Janes as a matching set.
When you’re stepping out in a new-to-you item, it helps to have the accessories that you know work; the accessories that give you the confidence to wear the green flared pants, et al. with comfort and ease.
For more tips on Classic Wardrobe Staples; including how to style staples from dressing up to dressing down, check out Beth’s recent YouTube Videos:
More Ways to Wear Kelsey Linen-Blend Flares
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Beth shared fashion mistakes that make you look older, along with tips and tricks on how to avoid these common mistakes. Click the title or the image below to read the article.
Thank you, Kelly for this post! As a fellow petite at 5’3” I get so much out of your fashion advice. Love the way you take the time to break it all down on how to style for us shorter ladies. I’m 62, so closer to your mom-in-laws age but between the both of you I get much inspiration!
Hi Nancy, I am so glad you find my posts helpful and inspirational! Thanks so much for stopping by today and sharing your thoughts. Have a great long weekend! xo Kelly
What do you expect you looked very cute in your flare petites. Those are some of the only pants that are flared that I can wear. I’m older than you, but he flared Levi’s that we used to wear back in the day required high heels under them to look like anything at all. So that ship has sailed for me. Thank you very much for your sensible, classic advice.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Eva! xo Kelly
I have enjoyed today’s posts–both of them. The advice about how to avoid looking older is great.
I may have to break out a belt for the first time in a long time; as my waist has thickened over the years my courage to wear a belt has waned but I can see the value of wearing a belt at my age. I am 5’3″ and find proportions and new fashion trends a challenge. I like the ideas for styling these pants. I could wear them if I considered my proportions and the idea of wearing something that is already comfortable to me is genius. Thanks for your time and encouragement, ladies.
Thanks for stopping by, Mary. I am really happy you found this post informative and helpful. New trends can be really challenging, especially for petites, since there are so many things we are told “won’t work” on us. But if a trend or style is interesting to you and you want to try it out, I say go for it! There are zero reasons you can’t wear what you like. Have a great day! xo Kelly
I am also a petite and yes, I like the pants because I think they make me feel very comfortable not tight but look dressy. I have a hard time finding tea
shirts. With sleeves I don’t like short sleeves. I don’t like all the blouses that are out this summer all the dresses. It’s not that warm here in Massachusetts. Our summers are very shot. Thank you again. Nice post.
Thank you for stopping by, Sally! xo Kelly
At 5’2”, I often buy cropped jeans/pants, knowing they will be full length on me. I understand I am not getting the full experience, so your advice to get the petite size is helpful. Your fashion style is inspiring! Thanks!
I am happy this post has inspired you, Anne! Thanks for stopping by, xo Kelly