Wide and Wonderful

CEBU, Philippines - Finally, year 2-0-1-1. I never quite thought this day would come so soon the day when we give our beloved skinny jeans their much needed rest after using and abusing them to distressed limits in the past few years. We loved skinnies because they made our legs look leaner, they hugged in all the right places, and over all, they just made us feel sexier.

But just like all other fashion trends, skinnies have finally reached that part of the trend cycle when the cooler kids in the fashion block feel like it’s time for a change. Skinnies have become a tad too mainstream and the need to stick out like a sore thumb is upon every stylista again.

Enter one of 2011’s upcoming biggest trend yet: the flared jeans. Yes, we loved them in the 70s, embraced them again in the 90s, decided they would be a wardrobe staple no matter what in the early 2000s, ditched them for a while, and now we’re bringing them back at the start of the new decade.

Flares are in and wide-leg pants are not too far behind. Their steady rise in popularity will open several possibilities for us to diversify our 2011 style repertoire since contrary to popular belief, flares and wide-legs aren’t just for street and hippie style. When styled correctly, it can give off an elegant, pretty, smart, and sophisticated vibe that’s hard to come by these days.

Before you grab a pair of flares and wide-legs, here’s the 411 on the top three types of flares and wide-legs to choose from.

Wide-leg trousers

This year’s wide-leg trousers will be anything but sloppy. It’s trademark will be the clean, tailored cut and the mid- to high-waist that make it both sophisticated enough for the office and relaxed enough for after-work cocktails. The wide-leg trousers is perfect for those who still haven’t gotten over the female dandy look. Wear it in shades of grey with a fitted basic top and a cropped jacket in tailored perfection for statement that says modern meets vintage.

Wide-leg jeans

This can be tricky because this is nothing like the ones we bought at Dickies back in 2000. Seriously. That pair can look a tad too baggy and backstreet that we seriously deemed it inappropriate for 2011. What we’re looking at are pairs that are a little more fitted at the thighs for gam definition. We want lean to flared legs or moderately wide legs—not the all out baggy elephant pants that make us look like a pile of denim. Keep out though for the kind of wide-leg jeans that are skinny on the leg but flares out from the knees. Now that is so not 2011, okay?

Palazzo pants

Yes, this trend can carry over to summer with palazzo pants. Palazzo pants are the chic resort sister of the wide-leg trousers. This is perfect when you’re simply lounging at the poolside of some swanky five-star hotel with a martini in hand, or when lazing around at a yacht and waiting for the sunset. This is all about luxe and looks best when done in fine, flowy fabrics like silk, crepe, or jersey. Think about capturing the essence of water in these pants and you’ve pretty much gotten the picture. Try it in sheer for a look that’s daring but definitely now.

Rocking your Wide-legs. Flares and wide-leg pants a easy to rock if you’ve got the height. If you don’t, it’s all about creating the illusion that you’ve still got a few inches on top of that just-a-little-over-five-feet frame.

Heels. Nothing can rock those wide-legs and flares better than to finish it off with a rocking pair of platform heels. Those extra inches will come in very handy. Flats will only manage to make you look like a kid. Loafers are a good alternative if you can’t take the elevation but only if it’s the androgynous look that you want to cap.

Fitted top. The key to fashion is balance. Wide-leg trousers to fitted tops please. If you want to experiment with flowy, billowing tops, it’s best to add a wide, wasit-cinching belt to make the look more polished and put together.

A la Female Dandy. Google Katharine Hepburn and Marlene Deitrich and cap their femme dandy looks. With these two as your inspiration, however could you go wrong?

Sail on. Here’s a rather uncommon interpretation you might want to try if you think that everyone is doing the 70s look. Go for the 40s pin-up look with a nautical theme. If you put together wide-legged sailor pants, espadrilles, and nautical stripes, what you get is a 40s bombshell straight out from the seven seas.

Disco fever. That’s 70s glam for you—and not to mention disco madness with a modern and more updated twist. To bag this look, make sure you have a great pair of platforms and big floppy hat on hand.

The wide-leg pants and trousers are generally for the taller crowd but really, who says the pint-sized Giselles won’t be able to own this style? All it takes is a dash of confidence and some really great styling.

Au revoir, skinny jeans!  (FREEMAN)