Two Formerly Outdated Denim Trends Are Staging A Comeback In 2025

Alongside the hottest fashion trends for 2025, two formerly outdated denim trends are staging a massive comeback in the new year. While flare jeans, also known as bell bottoms, are mostly associated with the groovy styles of the '70s, the elongating bottoms experienced notable popularity in the early 2000s before their fashionable 2025 resurgence. Similarly, stars like Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow have put their own stamp of approval on cuffed jeans, a style that rose to prominence in the 1950s before having a major comeback in the 2010s.

The cyclical nature of fashion means that styles, silhouettes, and pieces come in and out of fashion over the decades, often being updated in their modern revivals. In this way, while the styles were once considered outdated, cuffed denim and flared jeans are on the list of denim trends you'll be seeing everywhere in 2025. Those searching for fashion inspiration should take note of celebrity renditions of the pieces, but there are also timeless fashion tips for effortless styling.

Flared jeans have received modernized styling

While you can channel retro '70s vibes when styling flared jeans, celebs have been giving the exaggerated silhouette a modern spin. Ranked among celeb outerwear looks that prove you can still be fashionable in winter, both fashion icon Heidi Klum and "Grey's Anatomy" star Ellen Pompeo have paired trench coats with flared jeans. Klum went for a denim-on-denim combo, wearing a matching button-up shirt with her jeans, while Pompeo opted for a relaxed black top.

Both stars styled their jeans with pointed-toed heels, marking an important thing to remember when crafting an outfit featuring flared denim. As recommended by experts, pair your flared pants with footwear to create the desired height, as you typically want the hem to hardly skim the ground. Other than that, flared jeans are super versatile, so you can style them with tops ranging from flowing blouses to fitted tees. A celebrity-inspired trench would definitely add a chic flare, but there's a lot you can do with the jeans.

Celebs prove that cuffed denim works with many styles

Serving as a simple styling element or a practical outfit adjustment, cuffs are a versatile detail that can be added to any fit and style of jeans. In current fashion, we've seen celebs rocking folded hems on relaxed-fit, baggy, and wide-leg pants, with the fashion detail working with a variety of styles. For example, Rihanna rocked cuffed hems on a baggy pair of faded black jeans, wearing the pants with an oversized hoodie, suede hiking boots, and an assortment of chains.

In contrast to the singer's undeniably cool street style, Gen-Z icon Olivia Rodrigo channeled the effortlessness of the French girl style aesthetic with her own cuffed denim ensemble. When spotted on a January stroll with her beau Louis Partridge, the "Vampire" hitmaker worked cuffed denim with a striped top, white sneakers, and rounded sunglasses. These celebrity looks hint at the endless styling potential of cuffed jeans, with experts adding that the fashion detail can be a great way to highlight footwear or elevate an old pair of denim.

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