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The Best Kick Flares

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Yolanda Edwards
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I’ve been a kick flare pant person ever since I bought my first pair, the Faye pant from Ann Mashburn. I wore a navy pair on every single flight—no matter the season. Then I fell for the High Sport, after seeing the brand all over the feeds of the most stylish people I know. They seemed like the answer to my travel pant dreams—the fabric was thicker than the Faye, almost ski-pant like, with seams that made them feel more like a pant than a legging—and they were super flattering. Yes they were entirely too expensive, but I figured price per wear would perhaps balance it out. Unfortunately, because I’m hard on pants—sitting on airplane and train seats, sleeping in them, I want to be able to wash them often. But this is a fabric that does better with dry cleaning than laundry, which isn’t something my schedule allows. 

Enter the Ann Mashburn Lara pant, which is a third of the price, and honestly, I can’t tell the difference in quality. Besides being perfect travel companions (I always wear them with an oversized chambray shirt from J. Crew, a Weekend by Max Mara baggy sweater, and, depending on the season, either this boot, or this shoe), they also work with a fancy shirt, blazer, and a nice shoe, if you need to dress it up.

But there are others who have also embraced this trend, and I’m not mad about it at all. (Sarah Shapiro wrote about it here in Lauren Sherman’s brilliant Line Sheet/Puck newsletter.) I’ve yet to try these others, and I’ll give you the scoop when I do. 

Ann Mashburn Faye – While not cigarette pants at all, they still feel so Audrey Hepburn to me.

The High Sport OG in navy – If navy had been an option when I bought the black, I would have opted for them!

The High Sport Jules – A straight leg, in this color I really like

Ann Mashburn Lara – I live in these pants, even when sitting at home all day.

Alex Mill– Love these in red. 

Favorite Daughter – Calls these the Alissa, nodding to the High Sport founder.

J Crew – In this heather grey

Sprwmn – These in a dark blue leather, and these in corduroy! 

Donni Rib Kick Flare – Pintucks front and back, and a little cropped.

Frame Jetset crop – In a stretchy denim.

Comments

3 responses to “The Best Kick Flares”

  1. Cclarke Avatar
    Cclarke

    These are also excellent and ridiculously inexpensive and I own the Faye pant (and love them) but this compares favorably and also has the seam down the front – very chic. I own in regular and tall (I’m 5’10”) and both work depending on shoes!
    https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=576940062

    1. Yolanda Edwards Avatar
      Yolanda Edwards

      Ooh great to know! Will try them out! Thanks!

  2. Martha Ackerman Avatar
    Martha Ackerman

    I have bought 4 pairs of kick flares thinking I can wear them, 2 are the Faye pant in different colors. Both Faye pants were in the shorter version which was an odd length on me, not to mention fit. I have given all of them all away to women who can wear them better than me.
    As a woman who was in fashion for a very long time it took a minute, but it finally hit me… I cannont wear this type of pant period. I love Ann Mashburn clothing and I have a closet full of her things, but the truth is, as most designers do, she designs for herself, and she is a very tiny woman so there are a lot of things she designs that simply aren’t for my body shape.
    I am a size 10 amply hipped woman who does not like to accentuate that part of my body. I can never wear the faye pants comfortably without feeling like I am vavoom entering a room unless I’m wearing oversized tops. So… I have searched high and wide for an alternative nice looking travel pant that I can wear bouses with if I want. These are the pants I have come up with which are by Banana Republic and they are excellent quality fabric that hugs you in and holds up sleeping overnight on a plane in them(https://tinyurl.com/2szmvnud). They aren’t kick flares (remember I have determined I can’t wear them) but they look good with chunky shoes like what Yolanda likes to wear. I wear these shoes in colder weather non stop and can walk 10 miles or more in them (https://tinyurl.com/57fmms8j) . In warmer weather I usually wear adidas sambas for travel.
    They also make a kick flare which is less than half the price and equivelant quality of Ann Mashburn Faye pant (https://tinyurl.com/53bbmpzz). For those looking for a kick flare they are a great pant and come in multiple colors.
    They also make a skinny pant equivalent to the Frank and Eileen billion dollar pant for less than half the price too (https://tinyurl.com/53bbmpzz). These honestly look better on me than the kick flares, and I may break down and get them at some point. They’re a very good quality and will be really great on a smaller woman. I hope this helps others on a similar quest!

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