How to Style Flare Jeans, According to Celebrity Stylists

Trends have a tendency to return when you least expect it, and this fall, celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Katie Holmes, Margot Robbie, Sharon Stone, and other A-listers have decided to resurrect a major throwback style: flare jeans. The retro look was hugely popular in the ’70s and even had a moment during the Y2K era, but celebs have found ways to bring a modern touch to the vintage bottoms. 

If you’re curious on how to style flare jeans, PEOPLE spoke with celebrity stylists Cassy Meier, who has dressed Suki Waterhouse (and previously worked as a first assistant for Law Roach) as well as Kinsey Ranee whose clientele includes singers Alexandra Kay and Dylan Marlowe, to learn what pieces can make the retro denim feel more current. 

In general, flare jeans are “easier to style than you think,” according to Ranee. The most common mistake she sees people make is forcing the trend instead of applying it to their personal style. “They often forget that the whole point is incorporating it into who you are,” she says. “While it can be fun to lean into a trend and cosplay a different look, the key is to style something new around what you already have.” 

Check out the clothing and shoes they recommend styling with flare jeans below. Everything is available at Amazon’s fashion store starting at just $13.

Celebrity Stylist-Recommended Pieces to Wear With Flare Jeans

Cicy Bell Blazer

Ranee says if your outfit formula leans heavily on blazers or coats, then you can “try flare pants with a long-sleeve bodysuit or sweater and an oversized blazer with boots.” She explains then it’s “new, but still you.” This Amazon best-seller is made from a wrinkle-resistant material, which will save you from having to wake up early to iron your work outfit. One reviewer noted the fabric “has a little stretch so it’s easy to move in” and that it “instantly makes any outfit look polished and professional.” 

Lamissche Oversized Blouse

Flare jeans have a natural “boho-ness,” according to Meier, which makes it easy to lean into the aesthetic if you want. For her, that looks like a flowy, oversized top that you can leave untucked for an effortless feel or tucked in for a full nod to the ’70s.” This oversized blouse has loose, balloon-like sleeves that are fitted at the wrist to give more shape. The neckline comes with an adjustable tie you can leave loose or tighten for a more polished look.

Trendy Queen Moto Jacket

With flare jeans, Meier says it’s best to keep “a slimmer silhouette on [your] upper half.” For a more classic look, she suggests pairing it with slim-fitting tops and adding a leather jacket (such as this popular style) on top. “The added layer can also help balance the curves [that] flared pants accentuate by drawing your eye into the center line and creating a nice continuous line from head to toe,” she says. 

This layer has the edgy look of a moto jacket and reviewers compliment its lightweight feel, including one shopper who wrote it, “goes with everything and keeps me pretty warm in the cold and rain.” 

Grace Karin Crochet Knit Cardigan

Ranee says “in a sea of straight-leg and low-rise” denim, flare jeans are “such a fun way to add personality to your look.” The Western trend is still “booming,” according to her, and she finds flares to be a “subtle yet cool way to incorporate a hint of that boho-luxe look.” That can look like a pair of cowboy boots and a fringe cardigan, like this crochet style. It can act as a lightweight layer for the office or a statement piece that’ll dress up your white T-shirt.

PrettyGarden Faux Suede Cropped Jacket

Suede and dark brown are some of fall’s trendiest pieces right now, which Ranee has also given her stamp of approval. She likes to wear her favorite pair of flares with a shrunken white tee, a suede jacket, and “a little pointed-toe kitten heel.” 

PrettyGarden has a faux version of this jacket concept, with a casual, cropped construction similar to a shacket and a little more warmth. One reviewer thought the jacket brought the “wow factor” and wrote that it has a “wonderful cut and style for elegant movement with strategic stitching.” They also applauded the softness of the material, finding it “almost better than suede.”

Rilista Slingback Kitten Heels

It’s easy for flare jeans to hide your shoes (especially if you opt for a more dramatic width). But, if you want your outfit to feel complete, then Meier suggests a classic shoe design: pointed toes. Ranee personally prefers styling her flare jeans with a kitten heel like this best-selling pair. These pumps have a padded footbed for a nice cushioned step. For one shopper, they wrote the shoes “look very elegant but are also comfortable to walk in” and found them wearable for “weddings, parties, or even everyday use without getting tired quickly.” 

Mysoft Square-Toe Ankle Boots, $33 with Prime

If you want a more “modern” option, then Meier suggests incorporating a square-toe boot or heel into your outfit because it’ll still peek out from under your jeans. This style has a 3-inch heel that adds height to your outfits and has a non-slip sole to keep you sturdy. One shopper praised the heels, calling them the “softest shoes” and added that they “wore these to an Auburn game and [their] feet did not hurt once.”

Shop these expert-inspired pieces while they’re still available at Amazon. And, if you need to stock up on flare jeans, we put a few of our favorite picks below, ranging from subtle flares to full on bell-bottoms.

LaiyiVic Bell Bottom Jeans, $27 with Prime

Levi’s 726 High-Rise Flare Jeans

Lee Legendary Mid-Rise Flare Jeans