On a recent Saturday afternoon on Kaplan Street, amid political banners and demands for democratic reform, something else caught the eye: the unmistakable silhouette of bell-bottom jeans sweeping through the crowd of protesters. It wasn't a surprising sight just because the style has resurged among Gen Z, but because flared pants have an uncanny ability to appear whenever society itself begins to fray at the seams.
From the counterculture movement of 1960s America to current protests across democracies worldwide, bell-bottoms have served as an unlikely barometer of social unrest. The question is: why this particular garment?
The Zeitgeist Silhouette
Fashion psychologists have long recognized that clothing choices aren't merely about aesthetics. According to academic definition, "fashion psychology applies psychological theories and principles to understand and explain the relationship between fashion and human behavior, including how fashion affects emotions, self-esteem, and identity."
In the 1960s, the counterculture movement was "an anti-establishment cultural phenomenon and political movement" that developed in the Western world. Young people rejected expensive clothing items from traditional stores and shopped at secondhand and military surplus stores. Navy surplus bell-bottoms became one of the most popular dress items.
The reason was deeply psychological: "The symbolism of the flare was straight counterculture, trading the straight jean of the old for the flowing, widening flare of the young."
Silhouette of Protest
Fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell identifies "self-expression and identity" as one of five key reasons people buy: "Clothing is a way for individuals to express their personality, identity, and values."
Research shows people follow trends because they want to be part of something larger than themselves, but also because they want to stand out and be appreciated. This creates psychological tension between conformity and rebellion—and bell-bottoms are the perfect solution to this dilemma.
Studies reveal that during times of uncertainty and desire for change, fashion becomes a tool for political expression. Trends in fashion often reflect changes in society and the world around us.
The Israeli Parallel
In Israel 2024-2025, a period of extensive social protests, political upheaval, and desire for social change, we're witnessing a marked return of bell-bottoms. Young Israeli women taking to the streets for democracy, the return of hostages, or against judicial reform are once again adopting the style that symbolized rebellion and social activism in the past.
The Psychology of Return
Why do bell-bottoms return specifically during certain periods? Psychology research points to several key factors:
Cyclical Nostalgia: Fashion works in 20-30 year cycles. It's no coincidence that right now, when we're at the right distance from the social protests of the '90s, the style returns.
Need for Novelty and Stimulation: One of the most intriguing psychological aspects of fashion is the innate human desire for change and novelty.
Response to Uncertainty: When the world changes rapidly, people seek ways to express their identity. Insecurity can significantly influence purchasing behaviors.
The Flare Effect
What is it about bell-bottoms specifically that causes them to return during certain periods? The wide cut doesn't just look good—it also feels good. This conveys a psychological message of freedom and detachment from constraints.
Research in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that those wearing formal business attire feel more powerful and in control of situations. Conversely, research shows that wearing casual clothing can help one be more creative, friendly, and open.
At Woodstock Festival in 1969, "Woodstock fashion reflected the eclectic mix of bohemian, ethnic, and psychedelic styles that characterized the hippie movement. Many festival participants wore flared jeans, fringed leather jackets, and tie-dye shirts."
The Contemporary Catalyst
What's driving this return specifically now? Several psychological factors converge:
Desire for Freedom After COVID: After years of restrictions, there's a psychological desire for clothing that represents freedom of movement.
Coping with Uncertainty: In periods of rapid changes, people seek clothing that provides a sense of stability and authenticity.
Search for Unique Identity: In a world of social media and uniformity, there's a desire to stand out and be authentic.
As researchers in fashion psychology write: "Clothing serves as an extension of identity and provides a tangible reflection of a person's perceptions, dissatisfactions, and desires."
Bell-bottoms return during periods of social change because they represent exactly what people need in those times: freedom, self-expression, and resistance to social coercion.
When a woman wears bell-bottoms today, she's not just choosing a beautiful garment—she's choosing to be part of a deep psychological tradition of women who chose to be themselves, express their opinions, and not fear being different.
As Gil Scott-Heron once said - the revolution will not be televised. It will wear flare pants and step out to change the world, one step at a time.