A fashionable nod to a fashionable icon. Gloria Vanderbilt (1924-2019). She built a fashion empire. A member of the Vanderbilt family of New York, she was known as a fashion designer, heiress, and socialite, yet she was also an American artist, author and actress. Yet it is the recollection of her impact during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, when her line of denim impacted my youth. Noted as an early developer of designer blue jeans, it is the golden swan and the high waisted, fitted and slim fit denim blue jean that harkens my recollections of my youth. As a teen growing up on Long Island, New York during that time, I recall the impact of the swan. Yes, I indeed had a pair. It was a coveted pair. Oh, right alongside the coveted Jordache and Sasson jeans…
Gloria Vanderbilt. The Denim. The Woman.
In acknowledgement of Gloria Vanderbilt. Elegance and denim really do unite. Onward in that. For the love of denim, thank you Gloria…
Flared Style: The Enduring Appeal Of Denim Flare Jeans
The flared denim jean and the art of denim. The art of denim endures. No matter the links that denim is attributed to, the layering of the indigo blue hued fabric of denim will always continue to layer the fashionable world that surrounds us. And in the regard to the flared jeans of wide-leg appeal? An evolution of style, indeed.
American Naval Influences: The Wide Legged “Flare”
The “Bell-Bottom” flare has a history of an American nautical influence. The denim “flares” offered functional, sturdy and rugged function in workwear for sailors during the 19th century. Described as “very wide-legged trousers, rather than shaped trousers that flared below the knee”, the wide-leg pant perhaps provided ease when removing boots while simultaneously allowing easy removal when soaked with sea waters. It is perhaps no surprise that wide legged trousers would become a part of the US Naval uniform that endures today.
From the references and continual links to past, these flares of denim have endured to repeat their impact on fashion. The 1960’s brought forth a fashionable presence layered in flared denim. During the 1970’s the flared denim jean, that spread out from the bottom of the knee, iconically became an emblem of the “hippie” culture. Between the world of “Free Love” and the rising groove of the disco scene, these “bell bottom” pants would endure in fashion’s ever changing world. Evolution of a style, for certain. And as with change, a nod to the world of fashion’s continual reintroduction of the indigo, swinging denim jeans is in order. Homage to the past and an acknowledgment of the timeless appeal of a denim style that has earned the right to stand on its own stylish appeal. Modern shapes and leg-lengthening styles of “full-legged” and “Boot Cut”(or “Boot Fit”) flared jeans presents a stylish option in denim of classic form. Offering a modern, tighter fit at the knee with the flare out from knee to hem, modern energy with an updated style is offered to those of us who adore denim. Ageless. Can it be said that the flared silhouettes have spread into a modern revival of 1970’s fashion? For certain. Yet I err on the side of classic lines. Modern lengths of widened appeal. The mere image of the timeless icon, Katherine Hepburn, in flared denim jeans during the 1930’s certainly attests to an elegance of flared appeal…
Katherine Hepburn: Classic & Timeless In Denim Flares/1932
Timeless 1960’s images of English actress and singer based in France, Jane Birkin, endure to validate the stylish flared denim jean…
Denim Flares Of Timeless Jane Birkin Style (English Actress/French Singer1960’s)
Of course, the mere 1970’s image of Farah Fawcett in bell-bottom denim flares , perched upon a skateboard, in “Charlie’s Angels” is a testament of fashion’s impact of flared appeal. A visual memory from my youth, for certain.
And of course, a visual appreciation of the modern “flare” denim jeans…
Wide Bottom Denim: Modern Style Of Timeless FabricModel Style: Karlie Kloss In Denim FlaresDenim Blues Of Wide Appeal: The Flared JeanPersonal Style Of Self Expression In Denim: The Flared Denim JeanFlares Of Long Legged Silhouettes Of Denim StyleTimeless Denim With Modern Appeal: Flared JeansWide Bottom Style Of Enduring Fashion: FlaresStyle & Length: Wide Legged Flare Denim Of Modern StyleDenim Style: Flared Jeans Of Casual & Elegant AppealBlue Delight: Denim Flared Jeans Of Enduring AppealStriking Impact In Flared Denim
A homage to denim flares certainly must include a visual nod to the world of denim in fashion. A love affair of indigo blue, indeed…
Denim Love: The World Of Fashion & Denim
Consider with appreciation the flared silhouette in denim. Providing the visual illusion of mile-long legs, the casual appeal paired with modern, polished elegance will endure in fashion’s past and future archives. For the love of denim, indeed. These wide, flared denim jeans certainly earn the right to reside within the woman’s wardrobe. Worn with elegance, always…in enduring style.
Onward,
Kristin
PS: Of course I simply had to capture my own personal “Flared Denim Love”…
House Appeal 