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by Nila Peterson
Fashion is always recycling. A perfect example of this would be bell bottom pants, which are currently back in style. Bell bottoms reappear every few decades, but why is that the case? What makes them so great?
“Bell bottoms are pretty much the same as flared jeans but with about 6 inches of extra fabric added at the end,” said fashion design teacher Sterling Whipple.
The extra fabric adds style as well as functionality. It allows the pants to be worn in many ways. This is just one factor that makes bell bottom pants popular.
“Bell bottoms look better and work better with any type of shoes and are just better in general,” said freshman Riley Nielsen.
Not only do some people find them cute, they also can also be used to teach about the history of pants. Bell bottoms were originally used by Navy sailors in the nineteenth century. Sailors would roll them up above their knees so their pants wouldn’t be ruined, a trick that can still be used today.
Another stage in the life cycle of the bell bottoms was in the 1970s, the most iconic example being John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. The bell bottoms of the 70s were designed to look good while they were moving. With the waist of the pants narrow and the end of the pants flared out.
“When I think of bell bottoms, I think of the 70s and disco music,” said sophomore Hannah Perry.
At the moment, bell bottoms are mostly seen on girls. In the 70s that would have been the opposite. As the times change, so does the style. However, bell bottoms are sure be a reoccurring trend. It will be interesting to see who will be wearing them and how they’ll be worn when they reappear in the future.
