I have seen kick flares two times on the street since I started paying attention last spring, both spotted on fashionable women in the 40-50-ish age range. Both women were taller than average. One wore jeans with high heeled gladiators that closed the gap. Another wore black "dress kicks" with high heeled sandals. The dress kicks flared more dramatically than the jeans and had a playful quality that reminded me of flamenco pants.

And then . . . I watched the punk classic Suburbia for the first time just a couple of weeks ago (80's B-movie classic about the LA punk scene that cast authentic punk kids instead of actors). And while most of the kids featured sport the cuffed-jean look (and is worth checking out for that alone) there's one character who wears Dickies high-waters. Initially they signal his outsiderness and perhaps parental neglect. Eventually they become part of his punk uniform. A less flamenco, more street precursor to the kick flare trend? Since Suburbia is a rough watch I can really only recommend it if you already have an affinity for punk. But if you do, it might inspire you.