12/09/2021
FLARES / HISTORY OF BELL-BOTTOMS
The history of the now-famous flared jeans originated from U.S. Navy uniforms. These wide-leg pants were designed for their ease of use, allowing the wearer to put them on while wearing boots. The wider leg opening also made the cuffs easier to fold over to prevent water from seeping into the fabric. The cut most are familiar with today is a pant with a tight seat and thigh with an exaggerated flare from the knee down to the leg opening.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the counterculture movement sprung forth. Beatniks at the time strayed away from the consumerist culture of department stores and traditional shopping outlets. They instead did most of their shopping at thrift and army surplus stores. It was here that they stumbled upon the Navy's bell-bottom pants. Hippies would modify their pairs by tailoring them, adding fabric, patches, and custom embroidery.
The growing popularity of old military garments led to a shortage in the pants and the incentive for larger brands like Levi's to create a mass-manufactured style of flared pants. Soon influential artists and figures from The Beatles to Jimi Hendrix began wearing flared pants. The flare pant would go on to eclipse the original military counterpart and become the most recognizable garment of the Hippie era.
Today the flared pant has seen a resurgence among those interest in vintage and secondhand clothing. When executed properly the pants wide leg opening sits perfectly over a boot, sneaker, or dress shoe.
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