The thing is, I’m not alone. For the longest time flares have had a bit of a bad wrap largely due to people like me who have cast them off for thing that only models, Victoria Beckham and Claudia Schiffer can get away with wearing. But that’s beginning to change. This season they’re everywhere and the options available are vast enough to offer flattering styles for all body shapes and they’re selling out in their droves.
The penchant for flares, of course is part of a wider appetite right now for 70s denim and jeans are only just one part of that. Think cape style kimonos, A-line button down skirts and off-the-shoulder tops all in varying shades of blue.
Fans of MiH Jeans will know that that 70s, bohemian aesthetic flows through their blood so to help fill you in with everything that’s worth knowing about 70s denim this season, we called on creative director Chloe Lonsdale to give us the 411:
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On why it’s having a moment right now: You can see the influence of 70s fashion on the catwalks in some way or another most seasons but for Spring/Summer 2015 in particular, it was everywhere. The movement towards 70s fits, denim and detailing have been embraced after a few seasons of clean, minimal dressing. 70s silhouettes embrace and flatter women’s figures. It’s a carefree, bohemian way of dressing with echoes of summertime nostalgia. The faded blue denim just feels fresh and all the new shapes are incredibly stylish. The best part of the 70s look is that you don’t need to go head to toe: a great denim skirt or dress will do it, worn with other simple, iconic pieces like silk shirts or a simple tee. If you loosely tuck your top into your denim flares, you’ll immediately feel the effect of the higher rise, elongating the leg and making a really current silhouette.
On why 70s has always been a focus at MiH: We’ve been talking a lot about what we loved in denim recently, not just in jeans, and we were all unanimous that we really wanted to push the styles that feel most close to our 70s heritage. We have an amazing archive of vintage denim pieces and the energy really came from the non-jeans styles in our collection: the a-line skirt, overalls and easy dresses. We feel really confident with what we love and the language of denim – those 1970s blues and faded out chambrays. It comes very naturally to MiH as a brand so we just wanted to show it more, in separates as well as jeans.
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On why you should give flares a go: A kick flare like the Marrakesh is a universally flattering jean shape. The flare balances out the hips and creates the appearance of a slimmer silhouette, while the high rise streamlines the tummy. Everything suddenly feels perfectly proportioned in a pair of flares. It’s an easy, cool way to instantly change your look.
On how to style 70s denim this spring: Wearing a 70s-inspired denim piece will always create a stylish vibe and wearing a dress, coat or all-in-one will always makes you stand out. For styling, the trick is to keep things simple. Think Breton tees or a classic white top or silk shirt teamed with flared jeans or an A-line denim skirt with brown leather flats, clogs or worn-in Converse or Vans. It’s a simple language that creates a really distinctive vibe. We like to experiment with silhouettes each season, creating new ways to wear classic jean shapes. This season we’re all pairing our Marrakesh flares with our new Japanese-inspired denim Kimono jacket, heels and a collarless, crisp white shirt. It’s the MiH way to wear double denim.
On the key 70s pieces from the new MiH Jeans collection: The piece everyone is snapping up from our spring/summer 2015 collection is our 70s denim dress and our A-line skirt. Both come in an authentic, vintage blue wash with a slight stretch and button through detailing and are the perfect nod to the trend and our heritage. They are the perfect transitional pieces; the dress can be layered over a cream roll neck and worn with brown knee boots in the winter, or worn simply with flat sandals and bare legs in the summer.