Flares are incredibly flattering. Worn with a pair of sky-high wedges, your legs go for days. Legs for days. What's not to like?
But flares with flats can be tricky - especially for the petite. (Hi. That's me.) Even M has admitted to feeling a tad on the dumpy side when wearing flares with flats. (NOTE - I've never seen M looking remotely dumpy. Not ever. It's just a feeling she mentioned. Got it? Not looking....but feeling. The last thing I want is to inadvertently call my newly-pregnant BFF dumpy. OMG. Stop. Talking. Now.) Anywho.
So what is the problem, exactly? Part of it is just getting used to a new silhouette (we're all pretty entrenched in skinnies) but part of it is just the sad truth: Flares look best with heels.
But I refuse to be discouraged. I'm a pretty firm flat-wearer these days, and also am in love with my flares. So I was determined to make it work.
Now, after much trial & error involving several pairs of flares, duct-taped hems, and many, many types of flat shoes, here's what's workin' for me:
1. Keep Flares fitted to the knee
Flare jeans should fit rather tight on the thighs, then start to flare out below the knee. If you are short, stick to petite flares, lest the jean starts flaring in some strange mid-thigh/crotch region.
2. Hem Flares Short-ish
Remember when we'd hem our bootcut denim, but insist that the back hem almost touch the ground? Well, I'm finding that I prefer my flares hemmed shorter than that. A shorter hem shows off the flare proportion much better, and just feels more modern. I feel much less dumpy when wearing flares with flats.
And try M's trick of finding a tailor who will reattach the original hem. It costs a bit more, but looks much better.
3. Try a Sliver Wedge
NOTE: This is not a color. S-L-I-V-E-R. Like a sliver in your finger...from something wood.
Without a doubt, a sliver wedge shoe is the answer to my flare-wearing dreams: it looks like a wedge, but feels like a flat. I can walk around, babywear and even play soccer in sliver wedges (Ok - soccer with a three year old, but still).
For maximum versitility, I ended up hemming my flares for my flattest possible shoe (ballet flats). While the flares don't look quite as good with the ballet flats as they do with the sliver wedges...I'd rather have the choice. However, if you are only going to wear your flares with a single pair of shoes, I'd try hemming them as pictured above. Nervous? Try duct tape first. Just don't wash them with the duct tape on. It's almost impossible to remove...trust me.
Ok - see the pic above? The flares look good, but just a little less sleek with the (very flat) ballet flats. The slightly shorter hem (in the pic at the beginning of this post) just looks more...swingy? Flare-y? Well, a little cooler, I think.
(top pic, on S: J. Brand Lovestory Petite Flares from Anthropologie, Sunner tank, Flexees shaper cami, DV by Dolce Vita Regina sliver wedges from Piperlime, Alternative's Petey bag from Piperlime, husband's Gap belt and sunnies by Salt Optics......on R: Solider of Love t-shirt by Tiny Revolutionary, NANO man capris, Vans)
(wearing, bottom pic: same flares, belt and sunnies, Madewell checked shirt, floral scarf c/o LOFT, and Marc Jacobs Large Pretty Nylon Hobo bag.....on R: striped polo by Tooby Doo, AE pants, Vans...on P: Kicky Pants bamboo onsie)
Oh, by the way...we moved. To Philadelphia. Or the Mainline, rather. So if any of you have any suggestions for fun things to do with kiddos, let me know! Or if you have a fabulous nanny you'd be willing to share (sob! My Em!)...or heck: need a mom-friend? Pick me! Pick me! (I'm only a little needy and desperate. Girls, I miss you. xoxoxoxo)
xo,
S
