Weekly Style Standout: Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Trousers Indicate a Rebound of Flared Pants
With the usual spectacle of halftime costumes swapped out, the world turned its focus on a different aspect of Kendrick Lamar's performance at the Superdrome in New Orleans: his flared jeans. While not quite hitting the bell-bottom heights of the '70s or the '00s, Lamar's denim pants boasted a flare at the knee, dragging beneath his heels as he strutted across the stage. Record producer Mustard joined him in the spotlight, donning some oversized West Coast-inspired jeans.
Opinions on social media were, as always, diverse. Some users joked about Lamar's flares being "women's jeans" or "Hannah Montana pants," comparing him to the likes of Jennifer Aniston and country singer Lainey Wilson. Others saw his choice of clothing as a nod to the fashion trends of millennials, who fondly remember flares as their teenage uniform.
Dismissing these critics might have missed the point. Flared jeans, in fact, are making a comeback, both in women's and men's fashion. And who better to give the style a modern revival than Kendrick Lamar, whose jeans were crafted by none other than Celine's former creative director, Hedi Slimane?
The recent men's edition of Paris Fashion Week saw Louis Vuitton send models down the runway in a variety of flared pants, dubbing the collection "dandy streetwear." Even Pharrell Williams, the label's creative director and a style icon in his own right, walked on stage in a pair of leather trousers before donning denim ones at Sacai's show later that week.
Other designers, like Rick Owens and Marni, have opted for boot-cut pants on their runways, and celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Colman Domingo have been seen sporting tailored flares at major awards ceremonies.
The divide between streetwear and haute couture may be blurring fast, and Kendrick Lamar's endorsement of flared jeans could prove to be a pivotal moment. Tastemakers and cultural events like the Super Bowl halftime show don't just follow trends; they help shape them. As one X user put it: "Kendrick single-handedly just brought back boot-cut jeans."
Kendrick Lamar's fashion choice of flared jeans at the Superdrome performance was seen as a nod to the fashion trends of the past, specifically millennials' teenage uniform. With designers like Rick Owens and Marni incorporating boot-cut pants into their runways, flared jeans are making a significant comeback in both men's and women's style, further emphasized by celebrities like Brad Pitt and Colman Domingo wearing tailored flares.
