The first time I heard the term "flared leggings" on TikTok, my jaw dropped to the ground. Had the Generation Z crowd really just rediscovered and then reinvented the "yoga pants" of our past? As a millennial, I was reluctant to embrace a trend that reminded me so much of my middle school days.
But soon enough, the style started to pop up more frequently on my social media feeds, and as someone who puts entirely too much trust in the internet, I became a little more intrigued. That's where Aerie's High-Waisted Crossover Flare Leggings enter the picture.
Aerie's "Crossover" style has become well known for its ultra-flattering waistband, first rising to TikTok fame in a mega-viral video posted by Hannah Schlenker. Users flocked to her comments section to ask about the pants — and the rest is history. In March 2020, an Aerie spokesperson told Shop TODAY that the leggings racked up a waitlist of more than 156,000 people and sold out over six times.
Today, a quick search on the app yields countless videos on both the brand's original style and the flare pants — #aeriecrossover has nearly 14 million views alone. One video with over 1.2million views even called the flare version "the best thing TikTok has ever convinced me to buy."
When my flared leggings arrived, I quickly understood the hype. The waistband made me feel confident when I pulled them on, but my favorite thing about the pants is actually the fabric. The brand describes the "Real Me" material as "ultra-light with soft support and a weightless touch" — and I have to agree. It feels extremely soft against my skin but still offers support, an ideal combination whether I'm lounging at home or on the go.
Aerie currently offers the flare leggings in four colors, and in long and short lengths. I chose the shorter option, but the pants were still too long on me. At just 5 feet tall, I've found that the brand's extra-short length fits me best, but the flare versions don't offer this option. I had a tailor shorten the pants, and it's been more than worth the extra effort to get the perfect fit — the only downside was having to wait longer to wear them on repeat.
I've had my Real Me flares for a while now, and I haven't looked back. After adding the pants to my wardrobe, I found myself reaching for them multiple days in a row and opting for traditional leggings less often. While I usually wear them at home, they have also become my first-choice pants for days when I'm on-the-go. I pair them with chic sweaters when I want to dress them up and sweatshirts for more casual outings.
The bottoms have also held up after many washes and still fit just as comfortably as when I first received them. There's slight pilling on the inner thighs and hips, but I don't find it as noticeable as with other older leggings I own. As for the famous waistband, it's cute, but I'm not seeing the "snatched" look so many reviewers rave about. I'm more impressed with the bottom's overall comfortable feel. Plus, the waistband has slightly stretched out over time and sometimes rolls down, so it doesn't hold me in as much.
What I like most about the flared leggings is that you can basically style them similarly to traditional leggings. While I usually opt for looser, shorter tops to pair with the flared pant, I still go for similar footwear. (The flares fit perfectly over my go-to sneakers and mini Uggs, which have been rising in popularity lately.)
Unsurprisingly, I'm not the only shopping expert who loves these leggings. Shop TODAY senior editor, Francesca Cocchi, says, "I truly live in these yoga pants — or what the cool kids call ‘flare leggings.’ I’ve owned countless yoga pants and leggings from various brands over the years (going all the way back to my high school gymnastics days), but this is by far the most comfortable andflattering pair I’ve tried." Cocchi also mentions that they’re also very affordable considering the great quality.
Convinced that it's time for you to get in on the flare leggings trend? This comfortable lounge pant is the perfect pair to add to your cart.
Even today, flared leggings are famous among those who like a vintage or bohemian look. Their unique shape allows for various styling options. It makes them a versatile choice for those who want a standout fashion piece. It remains a classic reflection whether for casual wear or a more dressed-up occasion.
When you are wearing skinny pants or leggings, you can visually shine with shorter legs because the full shape of your legs is honoured. With flared pants, if you don't style in ways that visually elongate the lower part of your body, it will highlight your shorter lower body and make you look shorter overall.
Flare leggings are crafted using fabrics like the OG cotton yoga-pant material or stretchy movable nylon and elastane blends that are perfect for working out and lounging in.
Tight leggings have fallen out of trend as "flare leggings," or yoga pants, come back into style. Gen Z loves to pair the wide athletic pants with chunky shoes and crewneck sweaters. Flare leggings with slits at the ankles have also become extremely popular.
In 2024, leggings remain an indispensable item in the fashion repertoire, offering countless styling possibilities. They provide the perfect amalgamation of comfort and chicness, suitable for various occasions.
If you have an apple shape, opt for a pair of our mid or high-rise flares to create a balanced look. We recommend that pear-shaped women rock full-length or petite flare jeans that skim over the hips and thighs. Hourglass figures, we suggest flaunting your curves with mid or high-rise flares that accentuate your waist.
Baggy knee or ankle flares make the wearer appear slimmer as the jeans maintain a shape but with a slack fit, shrinking the figure. Wide flares emphasize the lower half of the body, minimizing the torso – especially when paired with crop tops, or tight blouses tucked in.
They elongate the legs and flatter various body types, proving that good design transcends time. The popularity of flare pants in contemporary fashion can be attributed to their adaptability. They can be dressed up or down, making them suitable for a wide range of occasions.
The key to wearing flare jeans is to get the length right!
While opinions on this can vary slightly, the general consensus is this: the hem should be no more than 1″ off the ground. I personally prefer even less, like half an inch off the ground, just grazing the top of my shoe.
As they almost completely cover the shoe, they add more verticality and are even more slimming. This 70s style is great for concealing the hips. Wear it as long as you can, with a good heel, to lengthen the silhouette as much as possible.
For a casual look, flared leggings can be worn with a knitted jumper or oversized sweatshirt during colder months. Keep it casual with a crop top or t shirt.
You just need to know the basics rules of fit and choosing the proportion that suits your body. rule # 1: No matter what shoe you wear, the pant legs must skim the floor. Like, almost dragging. Too-short flared hems are never flattering and will visually shorten your figure.
Soon, people everywhere were sewing an extra section into their straight-legged trousers and transforming them into homemade flares. Other famous flare wearers of the 60s include Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger and Twiggy.
While flares still remained a go-to pant to just about anyone in the '70s, the disco community truly embraced them as part of their identity. Far and away the dominant pant style of the '60s and '70s, lasting from hippies to glam rock to disco, flares fell out of style in the 1980s.
Pro: They Balance Out Your Curves. Flared jeans create volume at the bottom of the leg while nipping in at the waist (especially with higher-waisted styles). This is great for balancing out curves. Body types that benefit from this silhouette include pear-shaped, hourglass, and inverted triangles.
The key to wearing flare jeans is to get the length right!
While opinions on this can vary slightly, the general consensus is this: the hem should be no more than 1″ off the ground. I personally prefer even less, like half an inch off the ground, just grazing the top of my shoe.
Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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