For whom does the bell toll this season? It tolls for skinny jeans, which now share the sales racks with flared jeans - aka bellbottoms. That's right, the hot look this season is jeans that look like an upside-down martini glass instead of a pencil. The look has caught on among women who are tired of super-skinny jeggings and other figure-unfriendly styles, and flared jeans are even outselling skinny jeans at department stores like Bloomingdale's. Look for sh irt styles to change as well. The way to wear flares is to go more figure-hugging on top and highlight features from the waist up. With skinny jeans, we tend to go with tunics and long styles; not so with the flares. Wear with flats or sandals for a casual look, or go with high heels or wedges to lengthen legs. Be sure to avoid pointy stilettos with this look - they just don't work.
The great thing about flares is that a great-fitting pair flatters any figure. Some pairs - like that infamous getup Jessica Simpson wore - are higher waisted than others. It's up to you to decide what sort of waistline looks best on your figure. Keep in mind that shirt or jacket hems will be shorter when you choose your flares. Keep that silhouette elongated, and you'll look taller and thinner. Allow a more generous cut at the waist to keep that muffin top look at bay, and pay attention to how the jeans hug the thighs and hips. You want them to simply fit and not be too tight or too loose. Don't worry about flares being a passing fad - it looks like they're here to stay awhile. Fall couture has reflected the shape on the runway in not only jeans, but also other pants styles.