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Unlike some of today’s trendy jean silhouettes (yes, we’re talking about the barrel leg and the low-slung jort), flare jeans are actually a surprisingly versatile classic. Flares encompass an array of shapes—from ankle-grazing kick flares and bootcut styles to statement-making bell-bottoms and baggy, wide-leg silhouettes—but are typically fitted through the waist, hips, and thighs, flaring out from the knees down. And like all denim styles, they come in various lengths, rises, washes, and materials. Go with a stretchy, curve-hugging cotton blend, a rigid, vintage-inspired texture, or anything in between.
We sorted through the seemingly infinite flare jeans options and gathered insights from fashion experts to find the best, most comfortable styles that flatter various body types and heights. Keep reading for the best flares for every fit and style preference.
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Why We Love It: Our top pick is this high-rise flare from Abercrombie & Fitch. “These are the perfect example of a classic, elevated pair of flare jeans,” says fashion stylist Audree Kate López. “They’re easy to dress up, the flare isn’t too wide, and there are plenty of sizes, lengths, and fit options.” Available in a standard and curvy cut, which has additional room through the hip and thigh, both styles come in five inseam lengths ranging from extra short to extra long. The denim has just a slight amount of stretch, giving it a vintage feel without any stiffness, and the under-$100 price tag gives us all the more reason to click “add to cart.”
Who It’s For: Given this pair’s classic flare silhouette and inclusive size range (they’re available in standard and curvy versions), these jeans are a reliable pick for most body types and heights.
Material: Cotton, elastane | Size: 23–37 (standard, curve) | Inseam: Extra short, short, regular, long, extra long
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Why We Love It: There’s a reason these Old Navy flares have “wow” in their name—their stretchy cotton blend hugs the hips and thighs before flaring out below the knee, making for a flattering, curve-enhancing fit. Available in standard, tall, and petite size ranges with multiple inseam options, they cater to individuals with different heights and body types. The design’s high waist makes legs look longer—a boon for petites.
Who It’s For: This is a great, budget-friendly option for anyone looking for a comfortable, stretchy, classic pair of flare jeans. Because these pants are available in so many sizes and inseam lengths, they’re as close to “universally flattering” as you can get. It certainly doesn’t hurt that they’re under $40.
Material: Cotton, polyester | Size: 2–18 petite, 0–30 standard, 4–18 tall | Inseam: 30, 32, 36 inches
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Why We Love It: Courrèges designed these flares to look like your favorite pre-loved vintage jeans, cutting them from faded, lived-in denim that’s soft yet structured. Mid-rise and slim-fitting through the hips and thighs, the silhouette flares out from the knee down, creating a shape that’s slightly wider than your average bootcut jeans (though not quite as exaggerated as a bell-bottom). Made from 100 percent cotton, these don’t offer much stretch compared to other options on our list, but they do relax with wear.
Who It’s For: If you love how vintage denim looks but don’t necessarily love hunting for it, this pair has that perfect lived-in appearance and feel. Bootcut jeans are particularly flattering on rectangular and pear body shapes, but keep this pair’s 32.5-inch inseam in mind if you’re mid-height or petite to be aware of bunching. They come with a pretty hefty price tag, but if you’re one to invest in high-quality designer denim, these are a timeless style in a unique wash you’ll wear forever.
Material: Cotton | Size: FR34–FR44 | Inseam: 32.5 inches
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Why We Love It: Good American is known for its comfortable stretch denim, but these jeans take it a step further with non-restrictive compression that shapes and sculpts. Offered in the brand’s signature inclusive size range, this curve-hugging, mid-rise style is fitted on the hips, booty, and thighs and flares out just below the knee. Complete with a gap-proof waistband and tummy-smoothing technology, these jeans softly mold to your body the second you put them on.
Who It’s For: Those with curves will appreciate the gap-proof technology and comfortable stretch these jeans offer, as well as their compressive and shaping properties that nicely sculpt the booty and smooth the tummy and thighs. The inseam is quite long, however, so short folks may need to get them hemmed for the perfect fit.
Material: Cotton, polyester, elastane | Size: 00–32 | Inseam: 33.5 inches
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Why We Love It: If you have curves, you know how challenging it can be to shop for jeans, especially when you’re also petite. That’s where Madewell’s cropped flare comes in, as the brand created it with hourglass shapes in mind. Its stretchy, vintage-inspired denim hugs curves while maintaining its shape (no end-of-day bagginess here). That’s not all—it also has a contoured band at the waist, a longer rise to make more room for your booty, and extra room at the hips and thighs for a supremely comfortable fit. Bonus points to Madewell for offering this pair in petite-specific inseams and sizes.
Who It’s For: This style is perfect for people with curvy and petite body types, as it can be tricky to find jeans that are truly cropped. The inseam is supposed to hit above the ankle, so check the measurements ahead of time to ensure the correct fit. If you prefer them to hit at the ankle, you can always shop your size in standard length.
Material: Cotton, elastane | Size: 23–33 petite, standard, and tall | Inseam: 26.5 inches (petite, plus), 27.5 inches (standard), 30.5 inches (tall)
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Why We Love It: This mid-rise style from Mother has an ever-so-slight flare, giving the retro style a sleek and sophisticated look while its frayed raw hem keeps it in cool, casual territory. Janelle Lloyd, Bloomingdale’s fashion director, says this pair is one of her favorites, as it’s subtly cropped (at least for tall folks), allowing your footwear to shine. “These look great with flat sandals in summer and boots later on,” says Lloyd. Because they’re mid-rise, they sit just below the navel. These pants don’t offer quite as much coverage as a high-rise style but still offer much more coverage than trending low-rise silhouettes.
Who It’s For: This is a great everyday flare for tall folks looking for a slightly cropped pair of jeans or short or medium height individuals looking for jeans that hit right at or below the ankle. If you’re not a fan of high-rise or low-rise, this style is the perfect in-between.
Material: Cotton, elastane | Size: 23–34 | Inseam: 31 inches
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Why We Love It: Despite the return of the low-rise jeans, the high-rise waist is still going strong thanks to its ability to accentuate curves and make its wearer appear taller. This pair from Gap has an 11-inch front rise and a full-length flared leg for an elongating effect. Like a classic flare pant, it’s snug (but not too snug thanks to the built-in stretch) through the hips and thighs before fanning out at the knee. The style comes in a variety of washes, but the dark ones are particularly easy to wear casually or dress up for a night out.
Who It’s For: These Gap jeans are for the shopper who wants a high-rise pant that visually lengthens their legs and feels amazing on their body. They have enough stretch to mold to your curves, and the five-pocket design won’t go out of style. Because the brand offers these pants in a range of inseams and sizes specific to different body types, you’ll have no issue landing on the optimal fit.
Material: Cotton, recycled materials, stretch | Size: 26–33 (short and long), 24–35 (standard) | Inseam: 30 (petite), 31 (short), 32 (standard), 34.5 (long), 36.5 (tall) inches
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Why We Love It: It doesn’t get more early aughts than this. Designed with one of Levi’s lowest rises ever, these stretchy flares are slim around the thighs and hips, flaring out below the knee like our favorite styles from the early 2000s. Another detail worth raving about? The comfy stretch denim, which nicely hugs curves and maintains its shape throughout the day (a necessary feature for a waistline this low).
Who It’s For: Looking to lean into the low-rise denim revival? Thanks to its stretch denim construction and three inseam length options, this thoughtfully designed low-rise style flatters a wide range of body types and heights.
Material: Cotton, polyester, elastane | Size: 23–34 | Inseam: 30–34 inches
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Why We Love It: Although white jeans may inherently feel apt for warm temps, they’re truly a year-round staple that looks great with slinky tank tops and chunky knits alike (let’s forget that dated “no white after Labor Day” rule). Even so, pure white jeans are hard to keep looking pure white, which is why we appreciate this Reformation style’s creamy off-white wash. Fitted through the high-rise waist, hips, and thighs with a subtly flared crop leg, they visually elongate your legs, while the non-stretch cotton and twill denim mold to your body over time.
Who It’s For: The shopper in need of a white-ish pair of flare jeans they can wear during all four seasons. Because they have a cropped design, the 29-inch inseam should fit petite sizes like a standard pair of jeans, and the style is also offered in a 33-inch inseam to accommodate taller individuals. Best of all, Reformation offers complimentary alterations, so you’re guaranteed to get your perfect fit.
Material: Cotton twill | Size: 23–34 | Inseam: 29 and 33 inches
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Why We Love It: The great thing about black jeans? They look slightly more polished than their classic blue counterparts. These flares from Veronica Beard are extremely elegant, designed to with a slim fit from the waist to the knee and a subtle flare out from the knee. Constructed from premium Turkish denim, they have the perfect amount of stretch to hug curves while still moving with your body. That said, they’re comfortable enough to be a day-to-night style that’s apt for the office and after-work drinks.
Who It’s For: If you love how black denim looks and want a pair of jeans with leg-elongating effects, these Veronica Beard flares are for you. They’re versatile enough to wear again and again. The inseam is pretty long, so keep in mind that they best fit those who are medium height or tall.
Material: Cotton, polyester, polyurethane | Size: 23–32 | Inseam: 34 inches
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Why We Love It: If you’re after a ’70s vibe, you can’t go wrong with these Frame bell-bottoms. As this pair’s name implies, its flare is extra wide and long—basically begging to be paired with your favorite platforms. And since they’re made from premium cotton denim (20 percent is recycled), they have that rigid vintage fit reminiscent of the era.
Who It’s For: If you prefer a true bell-bottom to subtle flares, these pants are for you. The high-rise waist and additional length are great for balancing long torsos and making legs appear longer. Keep in mind that hemming the legs may take away from the flare’s overall width.
Material: Cotton | Size: 23–34 | Inseam: 33 inches
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Why We Love It: Whether you’re itching to show a little ankle or want your shoes have the spotlight, cropped jeans cut off just above the ankle bone, making for a fit looks great on a variety of body types and heights. Icon Denim’s Pam jean is a cropped kick flare complete with subtle curve-hugging stretch and a high-rise waist that visually elongates your legs. You can seamlessly style thes jeans into your business casual and everyday looks.
Who It’s For: This style appears cropped on those who are mid-height and taller and hits at more petite folks’ ankles. The best part? You don’t have to worry about hemming them.
Material: Cotton, elastane | Size: 23–32 | Inseam: Not listed
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Why We Love It: While flares are typically slim through the hips and thighs and widen just below the knee, Agolde’s Clara fits more like a wide-leg style. Although it has a loose fit in the thigh, it still has a more exaggerated flare than you’d see on a straight-leg pant. “I’m into this baggier take on a flare jean; the relaxed wide leg with a subtle flare is a very cool-girl silhouette,” says Lloyd. With a rise of just over 10 inches, these lean more mid-rise than low-rise, sitting comfortably low on the hips without threatening potential wardrobe malfunctions.
Who It’s For: If you prefer your jeans to be less constricting in the thigh area, this pair strikes a nice balance between a classic flare and a wide-leg silhouette. The inseam is on the longer side, but a little bunching at the ankle adds to the ever-trendy baggy effect. Plus, you could always throw on a heel.
Material: Cotton | Size: 23–34 | Inseam: 32 inches
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Why We Love It: Universal Standard is famed for its inclusive size offering, which caters to sizes 4XS–4XL (or 00–40). The brand meticulously engineers its styles based on a sample size of 18 rather than the standard 0–4 to ensure a perfect fit across the board. The Farah is an ultra-stretchy, high-rise flare that hugs curves before widening below the knee, and it’s the perfect balance between retro and refined.
Who It’s For: This is truly a pair of jeans for every body type and height—just be sure to follow the brand-specific size guide to determine your best fit.
Material: Cotton, polyester, elastane | Size: 00–40 | Inseam: 31 inches
What to Keep in Mind
- Material: Classic denim is made from 100 percent cotton—a stiff, heavy, and non-stretchy material you can wear up to 10 times between washes, says López (although it depends on how long and where you wear the pants). “The durability of 100 percent cotton means you’ll likely have it in your wardrobe for years to come,” says Lloyd. “They’re definitely the type of jeans you have to break in, but once you do, they’ll be your forever pair.” On the other hand, many styles today are constructed with cotton blends that include elastane to add a bit of stretch and curve-hugging flexibility. “Denim blends are more comfortable and stretchy, and they’re great if you fluctuate weight, deal with bloating, and have curves,” says López. However, these blends likely won’t hold a stiff structure. They’ll loosen with wear, and you’ll likely want to wash them more often so they revert to their original shape. Just keep in mind that frequent washing wears out the elastane over time, especially if you throw the jeans in the dryer. To strike a balance, Lloyd recommends a 99 percent cotton, 1 percent elastane blend. “It’s the perfect formula for those craving a curve-hugging style without compromising that coveted vintage denim look,” she says.
- Flare Shape: Flare jeans encompass a variety of silhouettes and widths. “Flared styles’ shapes are so diverse. From a cropped kick flare to a high-waisted ultra flare, there’s a wide swath of styles to choose from,” says Linda Cui Zhang, Nordstrom’s associate fashion director. “This, paired with the wash, can determine your jeans’ aesthetic and shift when you wear them, whether for work or the weekend, day or night, or for casual versus polished looks.” Of course, it really comes down to personal preference. “Figure out which type you like best and which best fit your body and personal style,” says López.
- Inseam: Another important factor to consider is the inseam, which determines a pair of jeans’ overall length, says López. “If you’re short, look at shorter inseam options or even classically cropped silhouettes because they’ll hit at your ankle and be the perfect length. If you’re tall, look for longer inseam options to have enough length when paired with shoes.” If you’re looking for jeans to wear with heels, she suggests looking for a length that hits the ground when you’re barefoot and at the middle of the heel when your shoe is on. Similarly important is the jeans’ rise, she adds, as it determines where they sit on the waist or hips.
- Wash: You can own two pairs of the same flare style in various washes, and you’ll likely wear them in drastically different ways. Typically, dark washes can make a pair of jeans feel a little more dressy (although they’re just as apt for casual situations), whereas light denim tends to have a more casual feel. “I prefer pairing an inky dark rinse with polished shirting and a kitten heel mule, while a light distressed wash works well with an essential T-shirt and minimalist flat,” Zhang adds.
Your Questions, Answered
Which shoes look best with flare jeans?
“Shoes that offer a lift complement flared jeans,” explains Zhang. “A kitten heel mule gives a subtle lift to a casual, cropped kick flare, while a minimal wedge or fun platform gives the mile-long leg look when worn with high-waisted ultra flares.” López says pointed-toe shoes are her go-to with a pair of flare jeans. “It helps elongate and pull the eye nicely up and down the leg and complete the look,” she explains, adding that pointed-toe boots, an elongated squared-toe flat, and even a platform sneaker are some of her favorite pairings. “I would avoid anything super chunky or rounded-toe shoes, as these can interfere with the flare hem. They can get lost in the flare and almost ‘cut off’ the look and make your legs look shorter,” she adds.
How do you properly measure your inseam?
“Your inseam is the length of your inner leg,” explains López. “You can measure this by taking a measuring tape and measuring from your groin in your inner leg to the bottom of your ankle, or you can check by measuring the inseam on pants that fit you well and hit your ankles.”
Knowing your ideal inseam length is important while shopping for jeans, but length is also up to personal preference, explains Zhang. “With the recent warmer weather, I like an ankle-grazing crop or styles that break at the top of my feet,” she says. And if you’re going to tailor a pair of flares that are too long, she recommends bringing two pairs of shoes that are different heights to ensure you end up with an inseam that works with a variety of shoes.
Why Shop With Us
Jenna Igneri is a freelance writer who has worked in fashion and beauty media for over a decade, with bylines in Refinery29, Byrdie, Who What Wear, The Zoe Report, Coveteur, and more. After transitioning and editing down her wardrobe to a capsule closet, she did a lot of denim research (and tons of fitting-room try-ons) to determine the best brands and styles to be a part of her forever wardrobe.
For this story, she selected styles from some vetted brands in her closet and researched other top-rated styles. She also tapped a team of style and design experts to share their insights and some of their personal favorites: fashion stylist Audree Kate López, Bloomingdale’s Fashion Director Janelle Lloyd, and Nordstrom Associate Fashion Director Linda Cui Zhang.
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