Here’s one thing I know for sure: whilst the amount of denim shapes and cuts are broad and often overwhelming, there is one style that has continued to show up across the decades and that is the flared jean. Loved by our parents and now by us thanks to their ability to carry you through the season ahead, they’re a staple in many a fashion person’s wardrobe.

If the idea of flares sends you down a spiral of 70’s references with tight-as-you-like fits worn only with crochet and bouncy blow-out hair, then fear not. The skinny jean love-affair is dwindling and flares with shape and movement is now the preferred way to wear the trend for both fashion folk and celebrities alike. And designers aren’t shying away from cool, fresh ways to wear the style either. Chemena Kamali’s much praised about first show for Chloé showed high-waisted flares, at the autumn/winter 2024 show, while Etro used flare jeans to cohesively complement the eccentric designs.

For me, the thought of a flare used to make me nervous as it brought back memories of my own Miss Sixty and Killah jeans with their ‘large as life’ flared bottoms and a super-skinny top half… I have always preferred some space between myself and the fabric for both the comfort and more flattering silhouette it provides. Thankfully, in 2024, the flared jeans trend differs from the more traditional fit with front square pockets and buttons all the way (although there’s a time and place for those too), preferring a more modern cut with cleaner lines and finishes. The width doesn’t need to fit a small child underneath and the kick-out from the knee doesn’t need to be a sharp increase. A gradual slope is all that’s required to flirt with this trend and the waistband doesn’t need to be high and tight. Relax and enjoy it! Or, if you’ve always imagined yourself as a bit of a John Travolta strutting your way down the pavement in Saturday Night Fever then go wild and go forth!

Scroll on to discover how to wear the flared jeans trend in 2024, with outfit inspo straight from the runway and street style stars, then shop our favourite pairs for every budget.

STREET-STYLE FLARE JEANS OUTFITS:

Experiment with volume ratios like Ines De La Fressange and create a striking and unexpected shape. The dramatic and shapely top is complimented by the kicked out flares of her jeans and playful mules.

Pulled back and simple with a classic white vest, Nora Arnezeder lets the accessories have their moment with her dramatic flared jeans and less-dramatic styling.

As is the way with Copenhagen Fashion Week, the streets are filled with excellently paired looks such as lightly printed indigo flare jeans with a punchy and bold striped knit.

Fresh and light, Julie accessorises her raw edge wide leg pair with espadrilles, an all-round french basket and striped shirt for that effortlessly-thrown-on look.

Keep it classy like Coco with iconic ballet flats and a structured top, allowing the printed flares to elevate her elegant and polished look.

Play with the proportions like Anna and team a heavy and hardy jacket with the slimmer waisted flares with suede lacing detail.

Perfect for the every day, Lena styles her classic flared jeans with a 90's-style ruffled cardigan, a lip and comfortable trainers.

Take a cue from French women this autumn, who are opting for a more tailored flare jean to wear with a boxy blazer and classic tee. How chic!

Andrea proves that a darker denim wash will always look chic. Pair it with other dark items in your wardrobe along with your favourite boots for an effortlessly stylish look.

Perfect for those slightly warmer days, this slightly shorter flared jean that Marissa is wearing looks great with a simple white blouse and slingbacks.

FLARE JEANS OUTFITS ON THE RUNWAY:

Chloé reinterprets flare jeans with a chic Parisian aesthetic, blending bohemian flair with modern tailoring. The collection pairs wide-leg jeans with oversized, structured outerwear, creating a sophisticated silhouette that plays with contrasts in volume and texture.

Etro’s runway embraced '70s nostalgia with flare jeans that felt effortlessly relaxed yet refined. The jeans are styled with the brand’s signature eclectic prints, layered knitwear, and artisanal detailing, delivering a mix of luxury and laid-back ease .

Isabel Marant's flare jeans add a cool, urban edge to her quintessentially relaxed French style. Paired with slouchy knitwear and oversized jackets, the wide-leg denim captures an understated elegance with a rebellious twist .

Gabriella Hearst opts for eco-conscious sophistication, presenting tailored flare jeans made from sustainable materials. Her designs focus on clean lines and precision, combining structured denim with classic blazers and coats and earth-toned knitwear for a polished yet relaxed vibe .

SHOP THE BEST FLARE JEANS:

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Shop £400 & under:

Shop Over £400

What do you do when you’ve built your very own denim empire and have a slew of cutting-edge designs to entice the public with each season? You tap one of the industry’s most effortlessly chic supermodels to be the face of your brand, of course! At least that’s what Paige Adams-Geller, co-founder and creative director of her eponymous label, decided to do.

Last year, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley made her Paige Denim debut by modelling for the company’s S/S 15 campaign, and she’s back at it again this autumn posing as the ultimate rock star. To showcase her newest collection, which consists of luxe coated jeans, leather jackets, and cropped flares, Adams-Geller conceptualised a rock ’n’ roll–themed shoot that took place at the Troubadour in Los Angeles.

We had the honour of visiting Rosie and Paige on set during the production of this A/W 16 campaign, which consisted of bright lights, wind machines aplenty, and Ms. Huntington-Whiteley headlining her very own show.

In this exclusive behind-the-scenes interview, Huntington-Whiteley reveals her best tip for taking a pair of jeans from day to night and Adams-Geller tells us about the hottest pieces from the new collection. Watch the video ahead. 

WHO WHAT WEAR: Tell us about the autumn/winter collection and the overall idea behind today’s shoot.

PAIGE ADAMS-GELLER: You know, I was thinking about quintessential L.A., and I was really thinking about the music scene in L.A., which is always part of the rock-’n’-roll vibe of my alter ego. I think that I was a British rock star in my past life, and I say that all the time. I was like, “How can we bring that feeling into the collection?”

Then all of a sudden it hit me at like 4 in the morning, 5 in the morning—I was in Mexico, and I was like, “Oh my god, we have to shoot at the Troubadour.” I was like, “This will be amazing.” I really wanted to channel that even rock-’n’-roll vibe a little bit further by being in it, and then I almost wanted it to feel like Rosie was the rock star, or she was getting ready for the concert before and after, and what the vibe would be like, and then even see her on stage. She likes to sing karaoke.

ROSIE HUNTINGTON-WHITELEY: Oh yeah. I’m in my element today. I’m on the stage, the lights are on me, I have a whole band. There’s a wind machine. I’m very happy.

PAG: I used to have a band myself, and so it’s almost like me channelling myself through Rosie and really starring at the Troubadour. We even have a marquee outside that says, “PAIGE featuring Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.” I was like, “This is awesome; it’s like my dream coming true. I’ve never performed here, and now I feel like I am.”

RHW: I’ve had a few phone calls from friends who have driven past the Troubadour on the street and go, “Is there something we don’t know about you? Are you performing at the Troubadour? What's going on?”

PAG: You never know what happens later. We’ll see, maybe.

WWW: What’s your best tip for taking a pair of jeans from day to night?

RHW: I think my best tip to take a pair of jeans from day to night would be switching the shoes up. Often we’re in flat shoes during the day or a more casual pair of booties or sandals, and then in the evening I would put on really sexy high heels or a glamorous pair of boots. Again, maybe changing my top from being a T-shirt into more of a silk shirt. This shirt I have on actually will look really beautiful in the evening, and maybe changing your accessories. I think jewellery really is such a fun way to change up your look. Pretty much all this jewellery I have on is costume jewellery, which is so affordable to make your look fun and easy.

PAG: You took the words out of my mouth. I don’t wear flats ever, but…

RHW: Me either, actually.

PAG: I was really listening to you, I was going, “Really? You wear flats during the day?” I might go from casual boots like these to a really sexy strappy heel, and then change it up definitely with a silk blouse and a cool blazer, or a really nice leather jacket. There are so many great leather jackets in the collection that you could actually just wear with a T-shirt in the day and then just pop it up a notch with a sexy blouse, but accessories really do make such a big difference, I agree. Putting on the silk scarves, tying cool ties around your neck, and really just changing it up. Just one little thing can take it from morning till moonlight.

RHW: The stylist has taught me that, because she’s just so good at doing all these little details, and it’s really fun to see an outfit transform from being simple or more laid-back to then coming alive with accessories. I think that’s cool; it’s really cool to see it.

PAG: It makes it easier when you’re on the go, too, because you travel so much. Being able to take an outfit and not have to bring five outfits—which I don’t know if I’ve quite learned that when I’m packing—but I try to change it up with accessories, and it makes it a lot easier for packing. Just a couple little things make a big difference.

WWW: Rosie, what do you love most about working with Paige and the rest of her team? What do you believe makes her brand such a huge success?

RHW: I was speaking to somebody on the team the other day, and I asked the question, “What do you think makes PAIGE so successful?" The answer was so clear to me, and that is really that you know who your girl is, you know who your guy is, and you keep updating the collection in a way that they feel they can come back and get something new, but they’re still coming back and they’re not getting anything that’s too different either. I think you’re really loyal to your customer, you really listen to them, and that is really important in a brand. I think especially denim. For me, I’ve always been attracted to brands where I know I can go and get something that I love each time, and it changes just enough without it being too different.

PAG: Thank you for saying that about staying true to authentically who our girl is. I guess that’s probably—if I think about why you’re the perfect person to be the face of the brand—is because PAIGE is very feminine but has edge and a little bit of chicness and coolness. I think that’s who you are. You’re feminine with a little bit of edge, and you’re effortless, chic, and cool.

WWW: Paige, what is it about Rosie’s style that makes her the perfect fit for your brand?

PAG: Just look at her!


RHW: I’m going to put my fingers in my ears. I always get embarrassed.

PAG: You know, what is so great about Rosie’s style is that it always looks effortless. It never looks contrived. She’s always polished, but she’s really natural and approachable yet gorgeous and aspirational. I think girls want to be her and guys want to be with her. Some guys might want to be her too; she’s just got amazing style. Every time you see her, she’s always put together, and I just love it. It’s quintessentially L.A. too, so it’s got that ease…

RHW: On the go.

PAG: And on the go, exactly; and her airport style’s the best. I don’t know, I can’t say anything negative. She’s just rock star status in my eyes.

RHW: Thank you, Paige. Have I gone quite red?

WWW: Rosie, what are some of your favourite pieces from the upcoming collection? Which pair of jeans do you see yourself wearing on repeat?

RHW: I always love black denim; you know that. I’m really excited about these coated jeans this autumn, because they give a bit of a leather vibe but they’re really comfortable and a sort of more-affordable version of leather pants. You know I’m a big fan of leather pants as well, and you’ve redesigned them this season, and they look fantastic. I’m also really excited about the cropped flare and the cropped denim, which initially when the trend started happening recently, I was like, “I’m not so sure.” It takes me a second to get on board with a trend, but I tried micro-cropped flares the other day, and I wore it while I was working in Paris, and I loved it. They’re really, really flattering and just give a slight edge and a point of difference to an outfit. I’m looking forward to rocking those in the winter as well.

PAG: What I’m excited about the luxe coating is that Transcend is one of our best fabrics on the line that everybody loves, because you feel like you can wear it from morning till moonlight. This season, we actually took the Transcend fabric and coated it to give it that leather look, so it’s so comfortable that you could wear this on an airplane to travel in and still look like you’re rocking leather pants, and it’s not quite as heavy as leather. I’m obsessed with leather too, so I think this will be a win-win.

Here are some of our favourite pieces from the new line.

Figuring out how to wear denim in the hot summer months is often a trickier task than it appears on the surface. Denim shorts are pretty much a "duh" moment, but what about the heavier pieces you relied on during spring?

As it turns out, your beloved jeans and jackets also have a place in your summer wardrobe! We consulted our resident styling expert Marissa Webb, who shared her thoughts on her favourite ways to rock denim this summer.

Keep scrolling to read (and shop) her thoughts!

I always have white denim for summer, but I do like to incorporate other coloured denim as well.

The perfect denim jacket is timeless for me, and it carries me throughout all the different seasons. There are so many ways to layer and style them.

The lightweight denim shirt (often borrowed from my fiancé's closet!) takes me from the office to the beach, and it travels everywhere with me during summer.

I love a denim dress in all different shapes, but currently I’m coveting them with midlength skirts.

Everyone needs the perfect cropped jeans for summer!

You need a perfectly broken-in flare—think Jane Birkin.

Aïda gives her Zara skinnies a 2023 spin, teaming them with a relaxed-fit blazer and pointed flats.

Let's cut to the chase: If skinny jeans make you feel constricted and uncomfortable, they don't belong in your wardrobe. It's that simple. Yes, skinny jeans are supposed to hug the body. Yes, they're better when made of sturdy denim rather than a flimsy jegging-like material. But should they leave you fearing the compression of your vital organs? I think we all know the answer.

Despite skinnies being around for decades, it's surprisingly difficult to find a pair that strikes the perfect balance. Many of the skin-tight jeans out there are so stretchy that they start sagging in awkward places after just a few wears, and others are so rigid they feel like a straight jacket for your legs. What you really want is a considered blend of cotton and elastane; a composition that offers enough give that you can happily wear them all day, combined with the durability of genuine denim. 

Aniyah wears a pair of lightwash skinny jeans from Levi's.

It might sound like a tall order, but after years of analysing high-street fashion and luxury collections, the Who What Wear team has amassed a wealth of denim-related knowledge. So, I reached out to our editors to get the low-down on the best skinny jeans money can buy. Find out which brands have made the cut below, then shop this season's standout skinnies.

SHOP THE BEST SKINNY JEANS:

1. Zara

Our very own editor Poppy Nash is particularly impressed by Zara's skinny jeans offering. "Zara's denim is like Marmite. You either love it or you hate it and I for one love it. I've shopped at Zara for years and along with dresses and shoes, denim is one of the categories I know always delivers. Sure, the sizing can be totally off, and on plenty (read: every) of occasions I've headed into a Zara fitting room with everything from a S to an XL in the hope that the buttons do up, but if I take my own advice and ignore the labels, I actually always come out with some really great jeans. Right now, the brand has tons of skinny styles, including a black, high-rise pair under £30 that I'd wear with a relaxed blazer and knee-high boots all season long.”

Shop Zara's jeans:

2. Mango 

Personally, I turn to Mango above all other brands for affordable and long-lasting denim. I still own a pair of black skinny jeans that I bought when I first moved to Edinburgh five years ago—despite wearing them constantly, they look almost as good as new, and I still pull them out when I'm building a sleek evening outfit. Dark denim is great for that. Mango's selection is also more inclusive than most on the high street; the majority of cuts come in sizes 4–26. With jeans this good, it's a relief that they're available to a range of body types.

Shop Mango jeans:

3. Frame

Frame's Le High skinny jean is a cult hit, characterised by its super snug fit and stretchy denim. The indigo washes feel particularly expensive, easy to slot into both relaxed daytime looks and evening ensembles. Thanks to the tight fit around the ankle, this jean pairs well with the current flat shoe craze—consider a dainty ballet flat or Mary Jane to give this classic a Parisian spin. Frame makes other slim-fit jeans, too, including the raw-hem Le Skinny and the slightly straighter-leg Le Italien.

Shop Frame jeans:

4. Levi's

Levi's is the OG denim brand, and the Californian label has stayed relevant for good reason. You've no doubt heard of the iconic 501s (you may even own a pair), but Levi's skinny jeans are just as durable and flattering. Choose from ultra high-waisted cuts and sculpting silhouettes, or one of the unique designs with cool detailing like a split hem or contrast stitching.

Shop Levi's jeans:

5. Weekday

"I'm not usually a skinny jeans girl, but the Spare Mid style from Weekday has me in a bit of a chokehold,” says Rebecca Rhys-Evans, our branded content editor. "The ultra black shade is ideal for effortless day to night dressing—I'll wear them with an oversized white shirt and ballet flats for the office, then change into some sparkly kitten heels and add lipstick for dinner. The mid height on the waist is perfect for pairing with a shirt, I tuck about 70% of it into the waistband and always wear a belt to create a billowing, almost 1980s silhouette that feels very Princess Diana. It's understated, easy and so chic.”

Shop Weekday jeans:

6. Paige

If you're committed to the skinny look and are ready to invest in a hard-wearing pair, turn to Paige's Hoxton jeans. At around the £250 mark, they're not cheap, but you can be confident you'll be wearing them for years to come. The high waist sits right around the belly button, perfect for tucking in shirts and knitwear without feeling suffocated. While the simplicity of the Hoxton will always have my heart, right now I have my eye on the new Bombshell jeans, which feature an exposed button fly. I'm sold.

Shop Paige jeans:

Next Up: 5 Expensive-Looking Outfits That Work Perfectly With Jeans

There's nothing more frustrating than trying on a pair of jeans, committing to them by dropping cash, and then getting home and feeling disappointed by your decision. It sometimes seems as though the denim actually morphs between the time you leave the store and the time you get home—either that, or your body changed dramatically.

Well, we want to make sure we do what we can to erase this experience completely from your life, and we enlisted Banana Republic creative director Marissa Webb to help. Below, she shares her tips for making sure you always find the right jeans for your body —whether you're curvy, slim, tall, or petite.

Keep scrolling to learn from her wisdom!

Denim with stretch seems to work for a majority of body types, but you should try on many different brands to see what works best for you. And don't forget to look at the rise—that's often the key to comfort.

If you are concerned about extra weight in the middle, try a higher rise.

If you're concerned with your backside, larger pockets can conceal what you don't want to show.

The right flare can help give length and elongate the legs, especially if you are petite with curves.

If you're on the petite side, there are many great cropped options out there. But denim is also easy to alter, so don't limit yourself because of your height. Something to keep in mind when getting your jeans hemmed is to find a tailor who knows how to properly hem denim. Usually the best solution is to cut off the original hem and to reapply it, so you keep the authentic denim stitch and thread.

If you want to hide some of your not-so-favourite curves, try a straight leg, which helps to balance out your curves.

Explore and try on as many different fits as you have time for. Often, it's the fit you think won’t work for you that you end up falling in love with.

What do you think of Marissa Webb's tips for finding the perfect jeans for you? Sound off in the comments below!

When you’re out shopping for a pair of blues, it’s quite common to find yourself feeling a tad, well, blue by the uninspired options in your orbit. Once you’ve seen a pair of jeans, you’ve seen them all, right? Wrong—that’s where Paige Denim’s F/W 14 collection comes in with a cosmically cool take on everyday denim. From high-shine skinnys to mixed-media patchwork, these jeans are incredibly versatile and our guess is you’ll wear yours to infinity and beyond this fall.

Scroll down to shop these stellar Paige Denim pieces.

Emporio Armani jacket, pants, bag, and shoes

Alternatives:

Yohji Yamamoto Y’s Vault Cape Coat ($440)

Paige Denim Emily Needle Print Skinny Trousers ($302)

Vince Camuto Alba Shoulder Bag ($168) in Rio Red

Carlos by Carlos Santana Dream T-Strap Sandals ($70)

Whether it's a pair of dark-wash jeans you can wear on an impromptu outdoors trip or coated skinnies that are guaranteed to score you a spot backstage, living it up in your favourite denim has never been easier or more stylish. Keep reading to see which pieces made our must-have list.

Brooke Shirt ($189) in Rail Grey

Kadie Shirt ($148) in Whisper Dot

Brooklyn Jacket ($239) in Undercurrent

Verdugo Ultra Skinny ($169) in Black Overdye Chord

Brooklyn Jacket ($239) in Snowfall

Edgemont Ultra Skinny ($289) in Saddle 

Skyline Skinny ($189) in Surface

Brooke Shirt ($189) in Wayside

Luna Ultra Skinny ($269) in Black

Indio Zip ($229) in Augusta

Hoxton Ankle ($199) in Lightyear