I'm Over Skinnies—Flared Jeans Feel Much More 2025

Simone Ashley stands outside wearing a black tank top with blue flared jean and black sunglasses.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 15 August 2025

For a brief moment, I really believed the rumours. Every conversation with colleagues seemed to touch on a specific topic: the return of skinny jeans.

At the time, the signs were all there: 2010s nostalgia was gathering pace, influencers were sneaking them into their outfit rotations and I even caught myself (in a moment I’m not particularly proud of) Googling styles to buy. But just a few months on, the hype has fizzled, and that once-ubiquitous silhouette has quietly slipped back under the radar. But, in its place, another so-called "dated" denim trend is staging a far more convincing comeback.

Swishy, voluminous and radiating the kind of boho energy that feels especially relevant this season, flared jeans are officially on the rise. Taking the trend for a spin this week, actor Simone Ashley stepped out in New York wearing a ’70s-inspired light-blue pair. Styled simply with a black vest top, the look was understated in theory, but the retro cut injected a level of personality no other denim style could have matched.

Influence @andi_mun stands outside in Paris wearing dark wash flared jeans with a a navy knit and heeled boots.

Between the extra sweep of fabric and the subtle drama of movement with every step, flares have a presence that skinnies could never compete with.

Influencer @juliesfi wears cropped flared jeans with heeled t-bar shoes and a button-down tucked into her jeans. She styles a knit over her shoulders.

Once a staple of every ’70s fashion person, flared jeans have never quite regained that same mainstream dominance. Perhaps that’s why they’ve long carried a "dated" reputation. But with the boho revival in full swing—thanks in no small part to labels like Chloé and Isabel Marant—this once-nostalgic style suddenly feels modern again.

Influencer sits on steps outside wearing a white t-shirt with dark denim flared jeans and heeled flip-flops.

As we edge away from summer shorts and towards styles with a little more coverage, I’ll be reaching for flares with far more enthusiasm than any pair of skinnies. And if you’re tempted to do the same, keep scrolling for my edit of the best flared jeans to shop now.

Shop Flared Jeans:

H&M

Flared High Jeans

These come in UK sizes 4–22.

Zara

Flare Fit Low-Rise Jeans

The low-rise silhouette makes these easy to style with a wider range of blouses and tops.

Mango

Violet Flared High-Rise Jeans

These dark-wash jeans are so easy to slot into a capsule wardrobe.

Mother

The Pocketbook Hustler Roller Heel

Give your styling a playful edge.

Paige

Marlow Skimmer Flare Jean

These also come in four other shades.

Ba&Sh

Jeans Vadou

Style with a boho blouse or pair with a graphic tee.

Mint Velvet

Mid Indigo Flared Jeans

These come in short, regular and long lengths.

M&S Collection

Mid Rise Flared Jeans

Flared jeans will always hold a special spot in my wardrobe.

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Natalie Munro is Who What Wear UK’s news writer and has worked in the fashion industry since she graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of the Arts London. Natalie’s experience in the industry spans journalistic and styling roles that have seen her work for publications including British Vogue, Conde Nast Traveller, Vogue Ukraine, AnOther Magazine and Elle UK.

With an interest in uncovering the latest fashion trends, Natalie takes a leading role in identifying news for Who What Wear UK. Reporting on a daily basis, Natalie focuses on trends on and off the runway, as well as street style and celebrity fashion. Natalie also creates content for Who What Wear’s social channels including TikTok and Instagram on a weekly basis.