Sometimes, we love a challenge. Are you like me? Sometimes the "obvious" style for my shape doesn't appeal to me that much because, well, it's, er, expected. I like to work my imagination a bit. I think such would be the appeal for the cropped flares.

I have to agree with Una in that I still see this as an "Emperor's new clothes" sort of thing. YES, I can see the subtle differences between "mom" capris and the new crops and between floodwater pants and the new crops, but the differences are slight. To many observers with no interest in fashion, these pants are simply NOT a good look. I can plainly see that they look great on some people. Bravo, and I'd never make any disparaging remarks about an outfit that included them. But they really walk too thin a line for many people to warm to them.

Just popping back in to say how much I appreciated the discussion this thread sparked.

I have indeed embraced some trends that go a little against traditional flattery for my body type (does anyone remember reading years ago that women with heavy legs should STAY AWAY from skinnies? And yet I wear them). I am in many cases quite content with JFE, and I think I have a pretty good handle on making cropped flares JFE.

I know what Lisa is getting at, and yes, I lament not having the kind of fashion-friendly figure that can wear all of these things and make them look cool and chic. I sometimes feel like I have to work a bit to style these types of looks to achieve the degree of flattery I'm after, but at that point, sometimes I feel like I might look a little try-hard. To Gaylene's point, if something feels a bit costumey, it's a sign.

That said, I really did feel pretty good about the cropped flare thing until hubs said his piece. It's rare that he really doesn't like a style I am willing to embrace, so I usually tend to respect his opinion.

Well, I've already bought some of the darn things, so I'll hurry up and wear them before he gets home from Texas again.