A Little Flare: The Perfect Summer Pants and How to Wear Them

Photography by Kirsten Beeksma Morse

I have been waxing on about my love for skirts and dresses lately, but I also love a great pair of summer pants, especially if there is something modern and cool about them.  And of course, they must be flattering. The cropped flare has made a reappearance on the fashion scene this summer and there are plenty of reasons to love this style. If you are hesitant to revisit this look, don’t be. Here ‘s why:

rag & bone High Rise Raw Edge Crop Flare

The cropped flair comes in several different styles that can suit a variety of body types and occasions. Styles include an exaggerated boot cut, to a flare with a trimmer width that give it a more modern and streamlined feel, a slightly wider cropped straight leg and a flare that begins at the knee. These Ellery Sinous Crop Flare Pants are slightly over the top, but I would wear them in a heartbeat. Hems lengths also vary, from just below the knee to hitting the ankle. The frayed edge trend in denim also gives this style a modern edge, like this rag & bone High Rise Raw Edge Crop Flare.

ELLERY Sinuous Crop Flare Pants

What’s the key to a look that is right for you? Trying them on. Give a few different styles a try to get the look that is right for your body type, depending on your leg and torso length. Personally, I like cropped flares that hit a just above the ankle because they will be a little more versatile, especially if they are a denim or another fabric that can translate into the fall season. You'll be surprised how fabulous this style of pant is for showing off a great pair of shoes. I wore my favorite PLAY Comme des Garcon Converse kicks that are a collaboration with New York-based graphic artist Filip Pagowski and legendary Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo. Want to dress it up a bit?  How about a pair of red kitten heels, like my Jimmy Choo slingbacks pictured, or a chunky wedge?  I am kind of partial to this Lanvin pair, but these Via Spiga Nemy Platform Sandal in a sassy yellow would also pull your summer look together perfectly.

I bought the classic J.Crew Teddy Pant in summery seersucker, which have a slim body and a slight kick out hem at the knee that feels fresh to me. I am a curvy girl with hips and they fit me perfectly and are very slimming. I also love the details on these pants, like the zipper hidden front pockets and the fun stripes.

SEA NY Stripe Jersey and Lace Top

I paired the vertical stripe seersucker pant with a horizontal stripe top in a darker shade of blue because I thought the bold stripe on the top was very complimentary to the seersucker striped bottom. I saw this SEA NY shirt on the runway of the Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show last month and promptly went upstairs and bought it.  The “split personality” of this top: with a nautical style blue and white strip in the front and on trend rows of fringe in the back, making it a really unique piece.Look for this cropped flare style this fall with short boots, and chunky heels, but for now slip on some sneakers or sandals perfect for a little summer flare.