How to Style Flared Trousers: A Practical Guide

Flared trousers are one of the few cuts that change your whole silhouette rather than just your outfit. Done right, they lengthen the leg and make everything above the waist look sharper. Done wrong, they swamp you. The difference comes down to three things: hem length, what you put on top, and how the waist sits.

Get the hem length right first

This is the one that matters most, and it is the one most people get wrong. A flared trouser should break just barely on the top of your shoe, with the back of the hem sitting roughly a centimetre off the ground. Too short and the flare looks accidental. Too long and you lose the line entirely, and the hem wears out fast.

Because the flare widens toward the hem, the trouser is designed to stack over footwear rather than sit above it. If you are between lengths, err slightly long and have them taken up.

Balance the volume on top

A flared trouser carries volume below the knee, so the top half needs to hold its shape rather than compete. A fitted or lightly structured piece works best. Our cable knit polos are useful here because the viscose blend drapes close to the body without clinging, and the collar gives the outfit a defined line at the top.

If you prefer something lighter, a cotton pique polo tucked in does the same job. Avoid oversized tops with a heavy flare unless you are deliberately going for a full retro silhouette.

Use the side adjusters properly

Our tailored flared trousers use side adjusters instead of belt loops. The point is a cleaner waistline: no belt buckle interrupting a tuck, no bunching at the front.

Set them so the waistband sits firm without pulling the pleats open. If the pleats are splaying, the waist is too tight. If the waistband rolls, it is too loose. Once you find the setting, you rarely need to touch it again.

Footwear

A flare is forgiving with footwear because the hem covers most of the shoe. Boots with a slight heel work particularly well since they add height under the stack and keep the hem off the ground. Clean, low-profile sneakers also work. What does not work is anything bulky, because the shoe fights the hem for space.

Colour pairings that work

• Black flares with almost anything. The Noiro is the safest starting point if you own one pair.
• Charcoal grey for a softer monochrome. The Mistal pairs well with white and off-white knits.
• Light beige or cream for daytime. The Sandro and the straight-cut Linear both sit well against darker tops.

Caring for wool trousers

Super 120s wool holds a crease well but does not like heat. Hang them after wearing and let the fibres recover for a day before wearing again. Spot clean where you can, and dry clean only when you actually need to, since frequent cleaning shortens the life of the cloth.

Browse the full range of tailored trousers, or see what pairs with them in best sellers.