| Bell-bottoms were worn by American sailors during the | | | | America and became part of the disco look in the mid |
| War of 1812 and were eventually adopted by the | | | | 70's. This proved to be the downfall of bell-bottoms. |
| British Navy in the 1850's. There is little documentation | | | | Disco proved to be a short-lived era in music and by |
| as to why, but a practical explanation often given is | | | | 1979 the popular pants style, along with leisure suits, |
| that the navy issue pants, when removed, can be | | | | became a thing of the past to be bought only by those |
| inflated and used as life preservers. | | | | looking for old vintage clothing. |
| As far as the "expert" opinions are concerned, in the | | | | The 1980's saw parachute pants and the 1990's was |
| fashion world they are correct. Bell-bottoms first came | | | | the time of the Grunge look, but bell-bottoms in their |
| on the scene in Europe in the mid 1960's and those | | | | pure form did not come back into style. A less drastic |
| originals are considered a rare prize by vintage clothing | | | | "boot cut" was introduced in Europe in the late 80's |
| enthusiasts. In 1967, they came to North America and | | | | and made it to North America within a few years after |
| were immediately adopted by the hippie sub-culture. | | | | that. As the years have gone by since, boot cuts have |
| Worn with love beads, granny glasses and tie dyes, | | | | become a mainstay in modern fashion and you can |
| they became a signature look for those who | | | | sometimes even see a style that resembles those |
| embraced free love, peace, and hallucinogenics. | | | | wide flares of the 1960's. If you're lucky, you'll see them |
| In the 1970's, bell-bottoms entered mainstream society | | | | worn with a tie dye or baby doll to complete the retro |
| after gaining national attention on the Sonny and Cher | | | | look. |
| show. They sold fairly well in both Europe and | | | | |