I know we've all heard the phrase “what goes around comes around” at some point. Perhaps referring to a karma style of “energy return” and the concept that what we put out into the world will undeniably travel back to us in one shape or another. Today, however, we are discussing something different that has both gone and come back around, making a big statement by doing so.

Feasibly better than bad karma, trends in fashion have a magical way of manifesting this saying. There are a few trends that have returned when we would have much rather stayed where they were: in the past. Thankfully, while we are experiencing a rebirth of numerous trends from previous decades, they seem to air on the positive and versatile side of apparel. Mom jeans, platform boots, and white sneakers: these are just a few examples of how the old has made its way into the new. Now, we are watching pieces make a reentry into fashion that we could have never conceived. In a time such as 2014, we were certainly all too busy adjusting our mid-rise Hollister skinny jeans to even comprehend that past staples could be anywhere on our horizon.  

This brings us to another resurrection that has seemed to careen its way through fashion unpredictably: flared pants and bell-bottoms. Boomer parents surely never thought they would see those again, however, what is brewing before our eyes is a combination of ‘70s flair, mixed with prints of today, on almost every material imaginable. These have appeared to suddenly pop back into popularity this past year. With a snap of the fingers, almost every major retail brand has produced its take on the flare style. Urban Outfitters especially has embraced this, with over 90 results on their online store when you type in “flare pant”. 

Yes, while the flared pant did come to life in the late ‘60s and ‘70s, there is now a modern take. Available in almost every material, print, and color, there is currently something on the flared pant market for essentially every person imaginable. Where we particularly see a modern take is the extreme variety of flared pants available in stretchy fabrics, more adaptably created to fit the form of more customers. 

Music festival fashion has also welcomed the bell-bottom back with open arms; neon and sparkly flares seem to be all the rage at any given festival. If you thought Urban Outfitters had options, rave clothing website Dolls Kill has over 200. On top of this, flared pants coming in two-piece outfit sets has become a skyrocketing trend for festival attire all around. Featuring flared bottoms and a crop top in the same print, these sets have become a popular way to create a cohesive look. 

This is not to mention the resurgence these pants have had in high fashion as well. Within the past year, many fashion houses have confirmed that flared pants are here to stay by making their own flared creations, in their respective styles, of course. 

So, in 2021 we have been shown that we can indeed take something old, shake it up a little, and effectively shed it in a different light. Some trends age like fine wine, we suppose. The world did not predict we would be standing here today dressed like Mila Kunis in “That ‘70s Show”, and look all the more fashionable while doing it.

Written by: Aubrey Matson, Photography: Cullen Powitzky, Design: Josh Carley, Social Media: Ferrell Tugman