While they have not been seen at your local Old Navy since the mid 2000s, you will be seeing them a lot lately – but hey, here at Diary of a Vintage girl, they have never gone out of style.
Even so, bell bottom jeans can be difficult to style. If you have been wearing jeans for years that look as if they have been painted on, then the bell bottom design might be a little difficult to get to grips with.
While the ‘skinny’ is tailored to be fitted, the bell bottom is fitted at the top and then somewhere along the way it tapers out into a flare.
If you are struggling with what to wear with bell bottom jeans, then you have come to the right place. Here we shall tell you what to pair with your new bell bottom jeans.
How Did Bell Bottom Jeans Come About?
Most of us associate bell bottom jeans with the 60s and 70s. The Beatles brought the fashion craze to places like the UK, and by the 70s, America was in on the action too.
Once that generation grew out of the bell bottom style, they weren’t seen again until around the 90s. Those who wore them back in the 60s were now having their own children and seeing the style come back around again.
However, the 90s is the third time bell bottom jeans came into fashion again. The first time around was hardly for fashion reasons, actually.
Sailors used to wear bell bottoms back in the 1800s to improve the functionality of their clothes. They were the type of pants that could be rolled up and would fit nicely over boots.
Also if needed the wide area of the bell bottoms could be tied and made into flotation pants, which sounds a little crazy today.
And here we are again, in the fourth installment of the bell bottom wearers. A 90s revival has taken over, and a new generation of Gen Zs are wearing bell bottoms.
However, anyone can wear bell bottoms. They are flattering, and give a nod to the vintage style to those who do not want to be too ‘out there’.
How To Wear Bell Bottom Jeans Today?
It can be difficult to know what to pair alongside bell bottom jeans, however you have a few options.
You could give the overlook a modern and relaxed take. This is when you pair it with basic items like a simple plain T Shirt or a white vest. Basically, this style lets the jeans do the talkin’.
They are the statement piece, and will make sure that they do not become lost.
Or, you could take the bell bottom jeans and give a nod to the era itself. Which era is up to you, however!
For extra help, let’s take a look at what to wear with bell bottom jeans:
White Blouse
Dark colored bell bottoms look great with a white blouse. Make sure the blouse is fitted rather than baggy too. You might even want an interesting looking cut-out blouse for a fun outfit.
Pair with boots to finish the overall look. Chunkier the better!
Statement Sweater
Once the fall is upon us, a sweater is a great idea to wear just generally – and anyway, a sweater looks perfect with bell bottom jeans.
Make that sweater have cool patterns and you will have a great outfit. However, plain sweaters work too.
Pair this with heels and some jewelry for a dressed-up look.
Open Button-Down Shirt
Keep the look casual and relaxed by wearing an open button-down shirt with a plain white T shirt underneath.
This works well as a casual outfit to wear all day, or even at work. If you want to wear this look more stylized, opt for jewelry too, and maybe even some cute heeled boots.
Crop Top
For those who are brave, you could embrace showing off your stomach. While it has 90s vibes written all over it, a crop top will always work well with a pair of bell bottom jeans.
If you want to wear a crop top but feel uncomfortable about it, wear it with a jacket too. This will hide some of that midriff.
Happy Style Accessories
This style is a take on the 90s era. It leans into the idea of how bell bottoms look playful.
Match them with accessories that adorn the smiley face that was seen a lot around this decade.
Also, think about bright colors and even add some funky sneakers to complete the look.
Belt
If you have a fitted T shirt or long sleeved top, teaming the bell bottoms with a chunky belt and heels (or boots) gives off a relaxed look.
Tie-Dye
It is true, tie-dye can work with bell bottom jeans without it looking like you are a 70s hippy. If you want to try this look, then you will have to make sure that the tie-dye is subtle.
One way of doing this is by having a tie-dye T shirt that has a block look, rather than an overall tie-dye print.
Leather Jacket
Bell bottom jeans work perfectly alongside a leather jacket. It can be either brown or black – both work well with the shape of the jeans.
You could opt for boots or heels, depending on the overall look that you want to achieve.
Scarf Top
Hello festival vibes! Whether you are going to Coachella or hitting the park with friends, a scarf wrapped around your torso creates a 90s inspired look.
It is comfortable too, however, make sure that the scarf is completely secure before you head out the front door!
Final Thoughts
When it comes to wearing bell bottoms, there are so many simple and eccentric styles that compliment the cut of the pants well.
Whether you are going for a simple vibe, or want to channel your inner 90s, the bell bottom jean is the way to go.
Have you ever thought that you were born in the wrong generation? That you would have suited the 80s better? The 70s, 50s, or even the 30s?
Then welcome to my website, where you’ll fit right in. Hi, my name is Willa Price and I am a self-confessed fashion lover.
I specialize in vintage fashion at a designer label, and it is my dream job. I spend my days reinventing old pieces and reworking them into modern fashion trends.
Please, enjoy my website as you take a step back in time to relive the fashion evolution that we are still moving through now.
