These Cropped Flares Are a Dream for Petite Girlies
Editors' Picks are the Fashionista team's true (#notspon) fashion and beauty obsessions, handpicked by professionals who see it all.
Earlier this year, the shopping newsletter community was fixated on a very specific — and seemingly unremarkable — style of pant: the cropped flare. High Sport's Kick Flares (simple cotton-lycra pull-ons with a slight crop) had found their way into the wardrobes (and conversations) of several of fashion's most influential ladies, but skeptics have understandably questioned their $860 price tag and limited size range, especially when there were and are many more accessible options on the market.
Still, as much as I might be the exact sort of basic-loving minimalist to whom these versatile-yet-stylish pants are meant to appeal, I never felt inclined to seek out a version in my price range. (We're not big on "dupes" here, but cropped flares have existed long before High Sport's viral version, and will continue to long after.) One reason: Being 5'2", I knew most of them would require hemming, lest they fit me like non-cropped flares, which I'm not interested in. However, on a recent trip to Nordstrom, a black pair by the denim brand Frame pulled me into its orbit.
The Le Crop Mini Boot Trousers feature belt loops and a zip fly, giving them a more structured, polished silhouette than the aforementioned stretchy pull-ons. Still, they're very fitted and have a decent amount of stretch (4% elastane, 96% cotton) that makes them super comfy. Plus, they hit and flare out at the perfect point above my ankle, requiring zero tailoring. (They're really more of a boot-cut than a flare, which I also prefer.) While trying them on, I experienced that rare fitting-room magic of immediately needing to own them. In fact, after paying, I changed back into them so I could wear them to dinner, and multiple shoppers complimented me on them before I even exited the store.
They've garnered many more compliments since, and while they may be a little warm for daytime amid July and August heatwaves, they're lightweight enough to wear in the evenings. You can bet I'll be wearing them non-stop once temperatures start to cool down. (Maybe I need the white ones, too?)
From the look to the feel to the overall versatility, they may be the best pants I've ever owned.
Frame Le Crop Mini Boot Trouser, $298, available here (sizes 0-16).
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