Quick question about cropped flares

Do you guys think they will keep on going for a while? Or will they be one of those flash-in-the-pan styles that burn out in a year?

I'm trying to decide if I want to buy some for the fall/winter. I made a homemade pair from old jeans and I quite like them, but they are low-rise and I was thinking of getting a higher-rise pair that would look more current.

One thing that did work, with marvellous results: I bought a pair of super-bleached-out Gap "Real Straight" jeans at the end of spring and chopped them myself. They are mid-rise (which is high-rise on me) and between that feature, the fact that they are not too wide, and the fact that they are close to my skin colour makes them flattering enough to wear with flat oxfords, even though I'm a shortie! I might buy a darker pair for winter and crop them myself a second time, only I'd wear them with black booties. Or I could buy a more dramatic cropped flare -- unless y'all can warn me that these will look "so 2016" by the middle of 2017.

9 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

Gosh I hope so!
It is Winter here and they are on top of my Summer list

Aida

I don't expect them to go anywhere, get yourself a wintery pair IMO

Tanya

They were all over the runway, in all sorts of materials, not just denim. I'd say they have at least two years left, possibly more.

Gigi

Good question. I don't have the faintest idea of the answer! All I can say is that I see no one in my neck of the woods (Midwest) wearing them. I try to style my pair very intentionally, kind of with a boho-rocker look, which I think would increase their wearability even if the trend isn't strong. If I remember right, you have some harder-edge aspects to your style, so I think you could wear these well even outside of a strong trend.

BTW, I thought you hated high-rise jeans (?).

Bonnie

I've got two pair, dark denim and white, and wear them a lot. I'm thinking about adding a medium blue and/or black pair. I got both pair on sale so I haven't invested heavily. Like you, I'm not sure about this trend lasting. I'm thinking that they may not be so popular in cold weather.

El Cee

I echo Gigi -- No clue as to how long the cropped flares trend will last. And like Gigi, it seems that no-one around my neck of the woods is wearing them but me. I get the "hairy eyeball" quite often -- but who cares! I am enjoying the look and can see wearing these beyond the trend phase. They are just plain fun! Sounds as if you enjoy wearing them as well -- so I say "go for it" and get another pair for Fall.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Aida said.

And one season fashion fads no longer exist.

Aziraphale

Thanks, all! I am going back-to-school shopping in a couple of weeks, so we'll see what I can see.

LynD, I am sure you will find some! If not, do what I did and hack them yourself

Aida, Tanya: thanks for the encouragement. Flares or straights, do you think?

Bonnie, I don't think the colder weather will be a problem, since this style of jeans looks really good with a pair of ankle boots to "fill the gap", as Angie says. That's how I'm going to wear mine!

El Cee, I'm sorry you're getting the hairy eyeball. I guess it's a stylish gal's cross to bear, lol.

Gigi, yes, I do dislike high-rise pants. I really can't wear them. But I also care about not being left in the dust, fashion-wise. When 90% of the jeans offered are high-rise (as is the case in my neck of the woods!), you have to move with the times, lest you look like you're out of touch. I'm finding this especially true in my middle age. It's a balancing act: move with the times, but know your own style and wear it with confidence. Haha.

However, I've discovered that a lot of mid-rise jeans are actually "high-rise" on me (they come up to my belly button), and if I semi-tuck my top, they can look cute. Also, I'm finding that the extra length at the waist of the pants helps offset the cropped length at the bottom.

Angie, I'm glad to hear that no new style is going to burn out in what feels like three seconds! (Btw I tried those Gap jeans you posted -- the vintage-looking ones with the button fly and raw hem. I was instantly attracted to them, but they DID NOT WORK on me. Sob).

Az you're more comfortable in the cropped straights right? I'm personally finding that I like straighter hems when the footwear closes the gap more closely, and flared hems when there's a lot more visible skin/low vamp footwear involved. Straights are a slam dunk with taller shaft booties, so if you want something that's trendy but won't require much dressing thought I'd go that route. That said I am liking the flare better on trousers vs. denim

tulle

Aziraphale, I've taken advantage of the mid-rise-but-high-rise-on-petites effect, too. (Mid-rise waistbands tend to be more relaxed, too--another benefit for me!) I've also found that straight-leg pants which fit tightly at the calf can pass for flattering near-flares when cropped a few inches below the swell of the calf. I'm wary of the flapping of too much material with full flares. For me, wearing cropped pants in Winter would require some perfect boots to avoid awkwardness & drafts, and I'm not sure I feel like hunting for them. Long pants in freezing weather for me.

Aida, wise advice as usual. I agree that straight-cut jeans with ankle boots are always a slam dunk. I think I'll just try on a lot of jeans and see which ones strike my fancy. I'm leaning towards thick denim with little stretch at the moment, and if I find it in a straight cut, that's probably what I'll get.

Tulle, I know what you mean about too much flapping material! There's also the issue of wet pant hems, which is a personal pet peeve. I already have good ankle boots, so I've got it covered for winter. Mind you, it rarely gets all that cold in Vancouver, so a bit of a draft isn't a problem. I doubt this would work in Winnipeg or Toronto!

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