Hippie Chic for Spring

Like many of you out there, I feel that I have spent the winter--and perhaps even the better part of the fall--in skinny jeans. Seasonally speaking, they're more convenient for two reasons: (1) they can be tucked effortlessly into boots and (2) you never run the risk of the hem dragging along the ground and making you cold and wet. Of course, these aren't the only reasons that I love skinny jeans. Rather, their shape is inherently versatile, streamlined, and sophisticated. Yet, with the dawn of spring--and in spite of some very non-springy snow flurries--I've found myself wanting more from my denim... After all, what better time to embrace your inner flower child and return to the bell bottom?


I have been on the hunt for a new pair of trusty bell bottoms for a couple of weeks now. After walking all over London and Paris last March, my go-to pair by Ernest Sewn (with an inseam that turned out to be a tad too lengthy to wear with Converse) are utterly chewed up and destroyed. While I may have my reasons for loving skinny jeans, I have just as many reasons to love the fun flare of a good bell bottom; namely, the fact that they drape perfectly over sneakers or flip-flops and are effortlessly (hippie) chic. So with this criteria in mind and a few hard-earned dollars in my checking account, I hit Bloomingdales last weekend...

As it turns out, I'm not the only flower child out there. Based solely on the selection in the denim department at Bloomingdales, I can say with confidence that hippie is haute this spring. Here is what I took to the dressing room with me:

1.) Babe Power Stretch Mid-Rise Bell Flare Jeans by J Brand: These comfy bells are made using J Brand's own power stretch denim, which is designed to contour the body in all the right places for an ultra-flattering silhouette that will retain its shape. I personally love the mid-rise fit for its smoothing effect, and it also means that I won't have to hike up my pants all the time. And not to play favorites, but I love the subtlety of all J Brand denim; there are never any glaring logos or contrived detailing, and these bells are no exception. Way to keep it classy, J Brand.

2.) Carrie Skinny Knee Wide Flare by True Religion: This new flare from True Religion offers a slim fit through the knee, before breaking at the calf into a wide flare. With a rise slightly higher than most True Religion jeans, I really like the overall look of the Carrie; this may be partly because of the "short-fuse medium" wash, which gives these jeans a broken-in look without trying so hard to be "pre-destroyed."

3.) Dani Stretch Flare by True Religion: Considered the "perfect fit for every body," these low rise flares are made with 2% spandex for the ultimate curve-hugging experience. Unlike the Carrie, these bells feature True Religion's signature diagonally cut side seam, meant to accentuate your curves. I was psyched to find these on the Bloomies sale rack, but as it turns out, I'm just not a huge fan of the diagonal seam; for whatever reason, I can't shake the feeling that my pants are all twisted.

4.) Bell Bottom Super Flare by 7 For All Mankind: With an exaggerated bell, these Sevens have a fun, bohemian appeal to them. The aptly titled "vintage California" wash manages to be both dark and soft, with just a touch of fading and distressing. These bells are fabulously comfortable, but as much as I love the concept of the super flare, in actuality it was just a little too much fabric for me.

Truth be told, it was a clear choice; the True Religion Carrie and J Brand Babe were the right bell bottoms for the job. As far as my budget, the fact that I was only in the market for one rather than two pairs of jeans turned out to be surprisingly non-problematic. As luck would have it, Bloomingdales was running a delicious denim deal this weekend, offering 15% off the purchase of one pair of designer denim, or 25% off the purchase of two pairs. Doubly lucky were the few Bloomies gift cards I had been saving for such an occasion. So, without breaking the bank, I have found myself ready for spring--and quite the little haute hippie too!


Images, in order of appearance: (1) Me! wearing my beloved Ernest Sewns, which were in that very moment unknowingly en route to utter destruction, photo by the lovely Sarah M. Barton; (2) Babe Power Stretch Mid-Rise Bell Flare Jeans in Classic Wash by J Brand $196, available at Bloomingdales (http://www.bloomingdales.com/); (3) Carrie Skinny Knee Wide Flare in Short Fuse Medium by True Religion $218, also available from Bloomingdales (in store only); (4) Dani Stretch Flare in Vera Cruz by True Religion $134 (on sale!), also from Bloomingdales (in store only); (5) Bell Bottom Super Flare in Vintage California by 7 for All Mankind $198, also available from Bloomingdales (in store only).