"If they were initially worn by hippies and dropouts at Woodstock in the 60s, this latest moment takes its cue from high-profile women who might be described as alpha. This week the TV presenter Claudia Winkleman wore a suit with flares that pooled over her shoes on The Traitors, while Hailey Bieber previously the patron saint of baggy jeans was photographed wearing a pair of flared trousers in LA. Victoria Beckham is among those who have made flares part of their signature wardrobe."
"Daniel Rogers, the fashion news editor at Vogue, agrees flares have now moved on from boho chic. I think these are about looking smart and polished, and being more more dressy with it, he said. Footwear is central to the alpha flare, Rogers adds. You have to wear that kind of flare with a platform, or a spiky pointed stiletto peeking out from the bottom. I think that's what makes it so assertive as a look."
Flared trousers are experiencing a renewed popularity in 2026, offering a third silhouette between skinny and ultra-oversized trousers. Resale app Depop reports a 30% increase in searches for flares this month. The revival draws on high-profile women with assertive style: Claudia Winkleman, Hailey Bieber, Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez and Donatella Versace wear flares in polished outfits. Stylists emphasize chic, modern tailoring over 60s/70s boho sensibility. Footwear choices—platforms or spiky pointed stilettos—are central to the alpha-flare look, creating an assertive, dressy aesthetic that diverges from the Woodstock origins of the shape.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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