You Can Ring My Bell

Spring has sprung. Birds are singing. Flowers are blooming...and they're not the only ones. Trouser legs everywhere are expanding at a rapid rate. Yes ladies (and gentlemen, you haven't escaped) we're surrounded by bell-bottoms.

Sadly this is not a polite term for a large derriere, they have returned. In all their slim on the thigh, flared to the floor glory. With the comeback of 1970's style for S/S 2011 it was probably inevitable. In retribution for years of skinny-jean suffocation calves are now stretching out and it's big news on the highstreet.

Derek Lam's S/S 2011 collection showcased high-waisted dark denim versions with (be strong!)perma-creased fronts whilst Topshop Unique really went to town featuring stretchy flares in futuristic graphic prints reminiscent of AllSaints' signature styling.

The saving grace of this trend (can you tell that I'm not a fan?) is that this is no return to the late 00's baggy look. More relaxed, the 2011 bellbottom skims the knee without hugging it, aiming for a hippie vibe rather than a grungy one. Waistlines can be high or low but the majority of styles seem to hit just below the bellybutton- ideal if you've bought into the crop-top craze which seems to be everywhere at the minute.

If you opt for That Seventies Show style this spring, please bare in mind the cardinal flare rules for this year to avoid looking like ABBA threw up on you:

*Flares should start slightly above the knee and be wide enough to cover the foot.

*Length is also important (ooh er matron etc...sorry...). If you intend to wear heels (or, dare I say it, platforms) with your trousers then they need to be long enough to fall almost to the floor. Ankle grazers do not work with this cut.

*Make sure they fit well in the body especially if high waisted. Without going into graphic detail, a badly fitting crotch is always a huge fashion fail.

*Try to resist anything rainbow, sequinned or overly embellished. It works for Dolly but she's a very, very special case.

To try the trend without blowing the budget, H&M have perfectly retro jean styles at student prices.