Fall Trend: The Flare Jean

    It's back! The flare jean, that is. This 70s style is making a comeback for fall and I'm so excited! I still wear this style whether it is "in style" or not, but it is a total bonus when it's one of the biggest trends of the season. My favorite flare jean is J Brand Lovestory. Katie Holmes made these jeans popular a few years ago and given her long legs, she pulled them off quite easily. The flare jean can really give the illusion of mile-long legs if the length are kept right to the floor and the proportions are properly cut. What I mean is that the break at the knee of the pant should start at your knee and not below your knee, otherwise we run the risk of majorly unflattering bell bottoms and a super short leg line. =(


    One of looks I've tried to recreate is this one from Shopbop:

   I went on a HUNT for a blouse like this. I was trying to find something that was soft and flowy, but didn't cost $130+. I thought I was *never* going to find one, but alas, Jacob was my saving grace (again). In pale grey, this top is $59.90. A few weeks earlier I saw something similar at Club Monaco in a pale pink and pale yellow for $89.99. I would have bought that if it had come in a shade of white or light grey. This loose blouse is also a great shape for fall and I can already think of a million ways to wear it both for work and play (I think I have a smudge on the lens of my camera here):

Jacob sheer blouse (pale grey, size XS), J Brand Lovestory (ink, size 25), RM MAB (dark brown), H&M Men's Leather Belt (brown).

     I actually think that the jeans are a bit too short for these particular shoes that I'm wearing. I hate it when that happens. Ack. Ideally, I'd want the jeans to almost brush the floor; these are about half an inch too short. Check out the shoes up close:

     Lace-up booties. These boots give me a type of childhood nostalgia. One of my favorite elementary school teachers used to wear a black pair similar to this and they were HOT. She used to let us play with the laces when she read to us during story time. They are Nine West Vanished in Taupe, from Endless, $108.95. I purchased them in 6.5 and they fit well with a thick pair of socks, which is how I usually wear my boots. I'm kind of on the fence about keeping them. I think they are adorable, but I don't think I'm going to get a lot of cost per wear out of these and my budget right now is only allowing for me to add classic pieces and not trendy items to my wardrobe. Sadly, I think I'm going to have to send them back.


   Don't like the flare jean? Here's the same look with a pair of skinny jeans:

With Paige Verdugo Jegging (in McKinley, size 24).

     I think I would actually prefer a shorter ankle bootie with the skinny jeans. These particular boots hit a little bit above the ankle which shortens the leg line of the jeans, and therefore also makes my legs shorter than they could actually look. 

     You could also do this look with a classic pair of bootcut or trouser jeans as well. I would've taken a picture of that look too, except that it was a complete afterthought that emerged from my head as soon as I put away all my clothes. =/

**CLARIFICATION RE: PREVIOUS POST** Last night I posted about Piperlime's return policy stating that they would only allow credit (and no returns) on items purchased with a code. I actually emailed Piperlime just to see how strict they were about this. I had read on another forum that they would not let one customer return an item because she had used a promotional code. I mean, the idea is ridiculous and I was determined to let someone know that it was. The response I got back was: "Upon a return, you a refunded less the promotional discount amount. We hope this information is helpful." This doesn't seem to be an extremely clear answer, but what I think this means is that Piperlime *will* refund for the amount actually paid for the item. So there it is. Piperlime is now back on my list of "Good websites from which to purchase shoes". =)