Help! Top to go with new flares... to avoid full 70s throwback?

[BritabroadinAsia]

Much as I love he idea of a floaty peasant-style top to wear with my new jeans, I suspect that having been born in said decade would probably mean I'd look like a got lost en route to a fancy dress party, no?

So, does anyone have some (Spring-like) recommendations to go with the jeans that I hope will fit when they arrive. The flares are high waisted (so hoping will kill the muffin) but my most despised body part is top of thighs. I almost always wear a curved hem/something longline over skinnies/boyfriends, so the 'new' proportion of flares is actually a bit scary (and possibly a mistake - we shall see...)

Am looking to avoid polyester, and ideally want something available online who deliver internationally - e.g. Asos/the Outnet/House of Fraser or local in-store options including Zara/J Crew/Cos/Club Monaco.

I love prints and colour, and am open to suggestions. Would really appreciate some expert advice on what actually works proportion-wise with flares if you are size 12-14 and 5'5" tall? Am also ready to be told to return the jeans and swerve the trend, if that what needs to happen...

You're my height and I'm also a 12 - I wore a checked shirt and boots with my flares.

Watching with interest...I've been wearing flares again for the last 6 mths but still feel as though they are dress up

Ronald - what have you been wearing with them? Is that the problem, or just the general 'flared-ness' of them, IYSWIM?

i love skinnies but realise they are done.....wails
i end up looking 70's dress up or just mismtch

Silk shirt?

Silk top?

I love flares a lot and this top works amazingly for me during the cool season (the cream and navy ones may have sold out). Slightly cropped proportions work really well with flares but I cannot do a proper crop top any more.

Do a bit trying on to see what flatters your frame. I've been experimenting with flares for a couple of seasons now and if you are used to skinnies, you have to rebalance your outfits. Flares require different shoes, tops and jackets. If you combine a baggy top and voluminous coat with them, it's easy to look like a sack of potatoes. I look like a parsnip in skinnies but flares do wonderful things to my butt and thighs.

I'm not an expert but I'm definitely a flares veteran I've not worn them yet this time around - waiting till the weather improves - so I haven't got any links I'm afraid but I'm planning to keep my top half fairly plain and streamlined e.g. simple fitted shirts and Ts. I think they look great with vest tops plus I have a couple of wrap tops that I haven't worn in ages that I'm planning to dig out (so glad I never listen to the 'throw it out if you haven't worn it for a year' posts!).

I think as a rule, they're much kinder on the thighs than skinnies but if the ones you've sent for don't look right, just try some others on. There never has been just one type of flare shape and I'm sure there won't be this time.

I'm working on that balancing thing. I can see that I have to avoid anything too loose on the top.

Any thoughts on what jackets work best with flares? Do you think a standard kind of single breasted trad kind of Zara one works. And a biker? That's what I'm thinking so far.

Thank you all for the great advice - I really like the TopShop shirt and top - love the greys, thank you Happy.

I would never have tried the Gap quilted sweatshirt but actually think its pretty cool, (will pop into Gap and check it out, thanks frugal) and I completely understand what you and floisme are saying about more streamlined proportions. After what feels like years of hiding my thighs with long line tops over skinnies the thought of a new shape is quite scary - but in theory it should be a more flattering look, especially with heels. We shall see!

In the meantime, squats and lunges, people, squats and lunges...

I'm hoping that a shortish blazer will still work - I have a single button navy casual one that I hope will look ok - is that what you mean by a Zara type jacket, If you're happy?

I also have a silk biker jacket that I'm hoping will look good too.

Yes those were the kind of jackets I was thinking of.

I think jackets and coats - and also shoes - are trickier with flares; it's the main reason why I'm hanging on till the summer before I wear them again. I do believe that, on most of us they're way more flattering than skinnies but they're not as practical, unless you live in California!

Inspiration on Pinterest

Loving the pins - they have nice proportions, the jackets and tops that I wear with flares are shorter than those I would wear with skinnies or boyfriends!

I'm wearing my flares right now. By far the easiest shoe pairing on a spring day are my navy suede desert wedge boots from a few years ago. Easy to walk in, warm enough, and because I like my flares quite long, they blend in nicely and are high enough to give me ultra long legs. And I prefer almond toe to pointy toe. A silk shirt will be nice too but tucked in tees won't work post-DC.

Thank you for all the ideas - have been 'shopping in my wardrobe'/decluttering and have actually found a few things that might work. Just awaiting the postman to bring the flares and try it all on.

I'm wearing mine with slim fitted jackets, quite short.

I think if the bottom has big flares you need a neat top.