Marc Allison Shirl Classic Bell Review on Denimology

Flares flares flares. They’re all in this season! I don’t own many, since length is always a difficult factor for them, as it also is with bootcuts. But oh boy do they make your legs look long if you wear a longer inseam with heels! They are definitely a fun style, and they’ve been popping up everywhere this Spring as you might have noticed. I was turned on to the style several years back with a pair of Rich & Skinny‘s Belissima, and I wear them exclusively for dinner dates and other fancy occasions! Not only are they a fun, classic 70s style, but they can also be ultra flattering, giving your legs and overall frame an hourglass-like appeal. I personally wear mostly skinny jeans, since they work with everything and all shoe heights, and I like form-fitting apparel, so I haven’t acquired another pair of flares since my Rich & Skinnys. Recently though, we’ve gotten back in touch with the amazing Marc Allison Jeans, for whom I did a review for last year. One of their styles I was eyeing when I first discovered them many years ago was the flare. So, I’m excited to present to you this Marc Allison Shirl Classic Bell in New Vintage review!

Marc Allison is a Los Angeles brand, founded in 2009 by husband-wife team Marc and Allison Flashberg. Flashberg previously accumulated 30+ years of experience working with other premium labels which definitely contributed to his new impressive brand! Marc Allison Jeans incorporates X-Fit stretch and Supima cotton for a truly impeccable fit and feel that won’t bag out or stretch. I remember these jeans quickly became a celebrity favorite because of this “T400” technology (which he developed with Invista, a global producer of polymer and fibers, to create a yarn that stretches in all directions) that offers four-way stretch with excellent comfort and recovery that moves with the body like a dream. I got the Shirl Classic Bell in my usual size of 26 since my last review for the brand (for the Gina Slim Boot in White) was perfectly true to size. The fit was as expected! The only thing I was concerned about is the 36″ inseam (I’m usually 33″), but as mentioned, one of the things that makes flares so fun is to wear them with heels for that fun, flirty quality and leg-lengthening effect! I have two pairs of tall heels that work very well with them, and they sit about a half inch to an inch above the ground when I’m wearing them, so they are a winner! If you are any shorter than my 5’5.5″ frame, however, these might not work as well—you can always get them hemmed of course but they are topped off with a cool looking thick hem which I’m not sure would flow as well while you walk if hemmed. I might be wrong though, but I thought I’d give the heads up!

The Shirl Classic Bell has a low rise, at 8″ in front and 13″ in back, which I love…and these get extra points because usually jeans that sit so low on me are always needing adjustments through the day! It’s tough to find a low rise jean that fits my curvier, athletic shape that well. These stay put and stay nice and snug without getting any looser! The 73% supima cotton 27% elestrell-p X-fit fabric blend is so, so soft, and it’s got a nice durable thickness to it. I really, really like how the flare starts a little below the knee (going down to a 26″ leg opening with), so it’s nice and form fitting everywhere else! They are such a fun in-between look…we all know that if you’re going with a form fitting top, being relaxed on the bottom works and vice versa, but due to the hip-hugging fit from the waistband to the knees, these flares work well whether you want to pair them with a tight or loose top! These are oh so flattering and the dark blue wash has a vibrancy to it without losing its vintage appeal. They are very clean with minimal embellishments—there is a contrasting orange embroidered ‘MAJ’ on the back right pocket and a super fun lightning bolt accent on each side stitch on the hips and that’s about it!

Flares might be so hot right now, but I understand they are still a shaky concept for some fashionista’s wardrobes. However, I urge you to give the Marc Allison Shirl Classic Bell in New Vintage a try if you’ve had any speck of a thought about trying out this classic look! These are such high quality, and so easy style whether you want to dress up or down, but I definitely feel chic enough wearing them (the heels probably help) that I’d rather dress them up and take them on the town!