The 70's Bell Bottom Trend

15:36:00

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Are Bell Bottoms Back In Style? How To Wear Bell Bottoms?


After nearly a decade of skinny jeans ruling the streets, wide-legged styles are finally back in rotation. It’s time to face the news skinny jeans lovers: Bell bottoms are back! I'm talking 70s bell-bottoms, not bootcut jeans or wide legs.

As versatile as they are trendy, these pants make a great addition to your wardrobe. Flares are a version of bell bottoms but not quite as big. Personally, I love bell-bottom jeans. Nothing makes a woman look as tall, skinny and leggy as a pair of proper bell bottoms.


What are Bell-Bottoms?


Bell-bottoms:  are a style of trousers that become wider from the knees downward, forming a bell-like shape of the trouser leg.  

A Brief History of the Bell Bottom.


The belled or flared legs on bell-bottom pants were originally a functional design, worn by those who worked on boats since the seventeenth century. The large legs allowed the pants to be easily rolled up out of the way for jobs like washing the decks.  Also, if a sailor fell overboard, bell-bottom pants could be pulled off over boots or shoes and the wide legs inflated with air for use as a life preserver.

During the 1960s those who did not wish to conform to the close-fitting and conservative clothing rules of the 1950s, developed a new style: a very inexpensive and extremely casual one. Young people at that time rejected items from expensive clothing stores and shopped at secondhand and military surplus stores. 

As Bell-bottoms, both wide and just slightly flared, got more and more popular, they became a symbol of the unusual and colourful style of the 70s. Some hoping the Bell-bottoms would just disappear for good, referring to this style as old-fashioned bad taste. However, the flared trousers returned in the 90s as part of a trend toward baggy clothing.

Bell-Bottoms Today.


And even now, in 2017, the flared and wide trousers, are still here.  

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. Wide hems that nearly touch the floor elongate and slim the body.  I personally love it when the bells are so wide that you cannot see the shoes at all.  For narrower styles, your toes should just peek out ever so slightly.

Don’t be afraid to play with volume by pairing your pants with a flowing silk shirt. Just make sure the detail on the shirt doesn’t draw attention away from the pants.  Try flares in other colours and even prints.

A simple top to enhance the waist and give complete focus to the jeans is all you need.  Look for high-waisted bell bottoms, since they're easier to pull off and are more flattering. This cut also instantly elongates your legs—and who doesn't want longer legs?!  A cropped t-shirt is perfect, especially if they are high-waisted.

Since bell bottoms are so tight toward your torso, you can get away with wearing a billowy top. However, if you want a more sophisticated look, try tucking your shirt or tank top in to accentuate the higher waist and add a belt to make your outfit look polished.

When wearing bell bottoms, pair them with a neutral wedge to nail that 70s look—plus, the bulkiness of a wedge will stretch out the bottom of the pant leg, showing off its fullness perfectly.  

For a little more inspiration, take a look at how these fashion bloggers are styling their bell bottom trousers this season.

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New York Fashion Week 2017
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Vilshenko Spring:Summer 2018 Resort Collection

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Street Style From Seoul Summer 2018 Fashion Week

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Victoria Beckham Bell Bottom street style

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Bell-bottom-Jeans-celeb-style

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Street Fashion New York N323, 2017 Curated by @sommerswim

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bell-bottom-trench-coat

jessica-alba-bell-bottom-jeans

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I hope these bell bottom style tips have given you some inspiration! Till' next time xo


WHAT DO YOU THINK? 



 


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