Tapered versus Flared in Retail and on the Street

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Tapered versus Flared in Retail and on the Street

— by Angie

on January 27, 2011

I’m curious to see how the “new” flared jeans and trouser silhouettes will be represented in stores and received by customers this year.

From what I’ve seen so far, tapered leg silhouettes are still abundantly popular in retail stores. And I don’t mean sale goods either. I’m talking about new Spring merchandise that is showcasing as many tapered legs as flared legs. But it’s only January and we still have five months to go. A lot can happen in five months of fashion!

In my neck of the woods, street style is still all about tucking tapered jeans and leggings into boots because it makes practical sense for our weather. I see a fair amount of bootcuts too, but few flares wider than bootcuts.

What’s your impression of tapered versus flared legs in retail right now? Do you think that they are equally represented? Which silhouette are you seeing more on the street?

Bottoms · Spring 2011

36 comments · Add a comment

Louise

Veteran

I haven’t seen many proper flared trousers about yet, though Bootcutcuts have always been well represented x

January 27, 2011 at 2:56 pm

Inge

In Belgium I’m seeing the same thing as Louise: still lots of skinnies (tucked and untucked), straight-legged pants and some bootcuts. Not too many flared styles yet, I haven’t had time recently to browse brick-and-mortar stores though, so perhaps they are already popping up now that Spring collections are starting to appear.

January 27, 2011 at 3:06 pm

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

If anyone has insight as to what’s appearing on the streets of Toronto, do fill me in!

January 27, 2011 at 3:07 pm

Beth

Veteran

I live in such a conservative area that I see everything: lots of flared pants from people who haven’t given them up from the last round and lots of skinnies from those who are more fashion forward.

Haven’t seen much in the way of flared legs from the fashion-forward crowd yet.

January 27, 2011 at 3:33 pm

ohhaylsno

Active Member

I see a fair amount of flares, but skinnies still rule the mall-retail market, it seems. But then again, I no longer seen skinnies as a trend. Their versatility when it comes to shoe choice has made it a staple, from what I’ve seen.

January 27, 2011 at 3:41 pm

Carolyn

I live in Seoul and all you see is tapered legs and leggings in boots.

January 27, 2011 at 4:26 pm

taylor

Veteran

I am seeing pretty much what everyone else is seeing, bootcuts and skinny’s:)

January 27, 2011 at 5:58 pm

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Our January weather has been so inclement that all I am seeing on the streets are black puffer coats and Ugg boots. No clue what style of denim might be under all those layers!

January 27, 2011 at 6:13 pm

Queen Mum

Veteran

hmmm, I’ll have to pay attention

January 27, 2011 at 6:31 pm

Lisa

Veteran

I’ve only been to the stores once in the past month, so I cannot speak on what is in stock right now. On the “street” it’s all skinnies with boots, but our weather has been asking for this dress code with all the snow. As long as it stays wet, messy and cool, flares do not stand a chance against skinnies. Once the weather warms, I think they have potential since people may be so tired of tucking jeans into boots by then.

January 27, 2011 at 7:05 pm

Maya

Veteran

Well I spend most of my time in New York, where people are much more fashion forward than most of the country, and there is no indication that flared styles are on anyone’s mind. Practicality wins out. It is the snowiest winter ever, and no one wants to deal with soggy hems. I think there will be more flares in spring and summer because these are cooler, more ventilating options than skin tight denim.

I still don’t think flares and wide legs are going to catch on to the extent that everyone is saying they will. They are just too impractical and hard to wear. A few years ago they tried to bring wide legs back and it was an utter failure. I still remember they all ended up on the clearance rack at Banana Republic. This time they’ll probably have more staying power, just because I think we’re overdue for a chance…but there is no way they will be able to replace skinnies.

January 27, 2011 at 7:05 pm

mellllls

I haven’t been shopping in soooo long so I have no idea what is trending in the stores. We have also had very messy weather lately so skinnies tucked into boots are all over the street due to practicality. I’m sure we will start seeing flares soon though!

January 27, 2011 at 7:09 pm

Sihaya

Veteran

I definitely see more tapered than flared at this point but probably also because it’s prime boot season. and lots of leggings with short tops that I wish had *any* pants or skirts on top of them – taper, flared, heck – I’d even take those baggy crotch pants over leggings worn as pants!

January 27, 2011 at 7:55 pm

MsMaven

Veteran

I went shopping today at Valley Fair in San Jose. This is the first time I’ve been shopping since Christmas. In the stores I saw skinnies, straight leg and bootcut. I don’t remember seeing any flares. Early last fall I did buy a couple of pairs of flares at BR.

I didn’t see much spring stuff yet, although Nordstrom did have a few things in. I didn’t notice what others were wearing, but it was in the late morning when there aren’t a lot of people shopping.

January 27, 2011 at 7:58 pm

Lena

Active Member

It was cold and wet until very recently, so we had mainly tapered legs tucked into boots. I’ve been impressed with variety of boots, too.

And then I saw two outfits with bootcuts + clogs (one pair of clogs was studded). And almost PPL. I was almost flabbergasted to see something this “on trend” so soon down here. Of course bootcuts + clogs never went away in my neck of the woods.

January 27, 2011 at 9:23 pm

Kyle

Apparently I’m out of step. I’ve been wearing big flares since this summer and just unleashed a new pair of true bellbottoms. I find it fun and a refreshing change from skinnies only. I’ve definitely seen a mix of styles in stores, but not much risk taking on the street.

January 27, 2011 at 9:34 pm

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

It has been so snowy hear- everyone is in skinnies and boots. I teach at an art school that has a fashion major and trends get worn right away bit no one can think about not wearing boots at this point in Boston. Skinnies are everwhere- no flares in sight. I have not seen too many flares in stores other than the Gap.This will change come spring I think.

January 28, 2011 at 3:26 am

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

In the midst of summer here, the only jeans I am seeing are skinnies. Most denim is in the form of short shorts or skirts.

January 28, 2011 at 3:27 am

cirruscloud

The very fact that everyone is staying there is little chance of a flares comeback makes me feel like it might happen. Sort of the equivalent of an economic bubble or something, “Dot coms will keep going strong forever!”

January 28, 2011 at 5:32 am

lady

Active Member

i’m in Pittsburgh. like others above, in this weather i’m seeing the tucked in look and also a lot of bootcuts. I’m not sure which way the majority will swing when the weather breaks. i will say this, from a plus size perspective, skinnies were not on my radar over the years. i only just got a pair of jeggings this past Nov/Dec during a sale to try out the look bc of this website. Its different but I don’t see it becoming a staple for me bc its ingrained in me to have more volume toward my ankle in order to counterbalance my thighs and butt. At 5’8 in a 18/20, I dont see skinnies as the most flattering cut for my figure and I’d guess there are lots of others who feel the same way. (though I think shorter plus sized women wear the look better, since boots cover more of their leg) For a segment of the population bootcuts and flares never went away, lol.

Are there any others who can add a plus sized perspective?

January 28, 2011 at 5:38 am

nikilea

Skinnies are still the most popular street style here too. Some of that is due to the weather. Because flare/bootcut hasn’t caught on yet, I’ve bought jeans for killer deals at the Gap this new year. Bootcuts for $30 and dark denim flares just last week for $20.

January 28, 2011 at 6:35 am

Joy

Veteran

We are having definite boot weather, so I see mostly tapered jeans tucked into boots with some boot cuts worn out over ankle boots. This part of the country is just starting to see skinny pants mainstream. I suspect it will take awhile to see flares on any but the most fashion conscious.

January 28, 2011 at 6:54 am

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Still seeing more skinnies right NOW, but am seeing flares in more and more retail stores.
I plan on having some tapered leg trousers for spring because I think they look very chic in all seasons.

January 28, 2011 at 7:20 am

rae

(website)

Veteran

In LA, everyone’s either in skinnies or mini skirts right now… I think we have to wait a while.

January 28, 2011 at 8:31 am

cloud9

Veteran

I’ve only seen flares as in bootcuts, nothing wide legged.

January 28, 2011 at 8:42 am

Diana

Veteran

Well, given that in Boston, we have piles of gross gray snow that are taller than I am, and salty slushy nastiness at every street corner, the prevailing fashion is jeans tucked into big, heavy duty winter boots or wellies. No flares in sight, and I think even the bootcuts are getting tucked inside the boots. To be honest, right now I’m not thinking fashion, but rather keeping myself warm and dry and stably on the ground.

January 28, 2011 at 8:51 am

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I’ve seen everything on the fashion students here and flares are now appearing in the stores. I have my eye on a pair from Next!

January 28, 2011 at 11:25 am

Bianca

Veteran

I feel like the the women in CT have always worn bootcuts and haven’t updated much either way. But I am still seeing tapered looks for the reasons you mentioned.

January 28, 2011 at 11:41 am

Scarlet

Veteran

I am the only one in a wide-legged/flared silhouette that I have seen, but let’s see what spring brings!

January 28, 2011 at 12:58 pm

Marley

Veteran

In So. CAL all I’m seeing are skinnies, shorts and short skirts. Haven’t seen one pair of flares on the streets – but then, I live in a beach town where everyone pretty much wears shorts and flip-flops year round.

January 29, 2011 at 12:03 am

Anchi

(website)

Active Member

I’m in Northern California and I haven’t seen any flared jeans in stores … don’t know if I’m not looking in the right places. At retail stores like Target it’s skinny jeans and jeggings all the way. I’m keeping my eyes open for flared jeans (the bigger the bell bottom, the better!).

I do see bootcuts around still. Right now I can only get Maternity jeans and bootcuts are well-represented there. It’s a good basic-everyday silhouette, but I prefer a wider flare. Hoping they make it to the stores soon!

January 29, 2011 at 4:46 pm

Kari

Veteran

Granted, I have stayed away from stores since Jan. 1 since I am SYC right now, but I really haven’t seen anything that constitutes “flares” rather than bootcuts. Some wide legs, but not many.

January 30, 2011 at 11:50 am

Kari

Veteran

Ooops, I hit “submit” too soon.

I really hope skinny jeans will not go out of style. I’ve grown addicted to tucking skinnies into boots, since it is so practical for our weather here.

January 30, 2011 at 11:51 am

slythwolf

(website)

I work in a department store, and I have not seen any flares wider than a bootcut at work yet. But as you say, the season is young!

January 30, 2011 at 2:06 pm

Holly

I was glad to see Slythwolf’s response since she works in retail and is right there! should the trend of flares break out big:-) I live in the Indianapolis area where it’s still cold, so all I see are skinnies tucked in boots–suits our weather for another month. Then what??? When I saw 2 of my really young friends, 1 from Chicago and 1 from London, over Xmas, they both had on flare leg jeans. I’d love to purchase 1 pair, just to be prepared!, if I can find a pair which fits nicely.

January 30, 2011 at 6:15 pm