During the late 1960's and much of the 1970's a very popular trend were bell bottoms. Bell bottoms are trousers that become wider from the knee down. Bell bottoms were usually worn with a tee shirt and a pair of sandals. The pants have become associated with disco music. To my surprise bell bottoms were invented many years earlier in 1817 for sailors to wear. Because of the flare they were easier to roll up while they were on the deck. The flare also made it easier for them to be taken off in case of emergency. The legs could also be tied together and used as a life preserver. Bell bottoms went from a practical and useful item of clothing to a remaining fashion style. In my opinion the bell bottoms that were worn in the 1970's were too flared out, but I am guilty of wearing bell bottoms when I was in middle school. But the bell bottoms I wore were not nearly as drastic as those worn in the 1970's.