The Triumphant Return of the Bell-Bottom Jean

Since when do the words "denim" and "leggings" belong together? Over the past few seasons, skinny jeans have gone from form-skimming to body-constricting, with denim companies concocting new, torturous ways to create jeans so tight, we might as well put on a pair of opaque pantyhose and call it a day.

But the pendulum of fashion, as we well know, swings from one extreme to the other. And denim's top premium brands -- including Current/Elliott, J Brand and Citizens of Humanity -- have starting introducing a significantly fatter silhouette into their stables of boyfriend and skinny styles. Break out your roller skates, dancing queens: The bell-bottom jean is back.

Now we're not talking about middle-of-the-road flares (not for another decade, anyway). We're referring to the true blue, ankle-flapping elephant bell-bottoms of the Valerie Bertinelli ilk. Sound unlikely? Trust us -- within the next year, you'll be foraging for a pair to partner with your sky-high platforms. 

Some fashion-savvy gals never really turned their back on the style. Celeb stylist Rachel Zoe, who's been vocal about her dislike of super-skinny jeans, is often clad in wide-leg and bell-bottom trousers. And an inside source told us that Current/Elliott's designers, Emily Current and Merrit Elliott, will be pushing the silhouette -- one of their all-time favorites  -- in a big way in the coming seasons (their holiday collection featured a fab pair of slouchy elephant bells.)

I welcome the return of a little below-the-waist balance in my wardrobe. The exaggerated style is super-slenderizing, and miles more comfy -- and sophisticated-looking -- than the dreaded denim legging. I'm ready to hang my disco ball right now.