How to recognise it
The top is like straight jeans, and from the knee the legs widen gently, much less than flares. The length runs to the floor and the hem covers the top of the shoe.
Where it comes from
The cut comes from cowboy workwear: jeans had to fit over riding boots. In the 1990s and early 2000s bootcut was one of the most popular women's jeans cuts.
Who and when it suits
They balance the line of the hips and legs and go with ankle boots, heels and cowboy boots. With a shirt and blazer they suit smart casual.
Variations and look-alikes
They come low, mid or high rise, dark or light, stretchy or firmer. A high-rise bootcut lengthens the leg most. They differ from flares in a slight widening, and from straight jeans in a hem wider than the knee. A cropped bootcut, called a kick flare, ends above the ankle.
How to style it
- Length to the sole when wearing heels.
- With ankle or cowboy boots.
- A fitted top shows off the silhouette.
- Dark bootcut jeans with a shirt and heels work for an evening out.
Similar styles
Frequently asked
01How is bootcut different from flare?
Bootcut widens slightly to fit boots; flare widens much more.
02Which shoes go with bootcut jeans?
Ankle boots, cowboy boots, heels or platforms.