Flare jeans are cut close through the hip, seat and thigh, then open out from around the knee into a distinctly wide hem, a more dramatic version of the shaping seen in a bootcut. The contrast between the fitted upper leg and the wide bottom is what gives the style its recognisable silhouette.
Because the hem is wide, flare jeans are usually worn with a longer inseam so the fabric skims the floor at the back, which visually lengthens the leg. The fitted thigh means sizing is closer to a slim or straight fit up top, so trying a pair on matters more than guessing from a size chart, since brands place the point where the flare begins quite differently. A high or mid rise is common with this cut, since it balances the wide hem with a defined waist.
Flare is often paired with a fitted top to avoid an overly voluminous silhouette overall. For how the rise affects the look, see rise explained, and for a side by side comparison of leg shapes including bootcut and wide leg, visit our jeans fits overview.
