The skinny jean had a good run. A long one. But if you’ve spent years wearing a jean that pinches across your thigh, cuts circulation at your ankle, and requires a specific boot to avoid making you look like you started getting dressed half way down your leg, you know that longevity isn’t the same thing as universal appeal.
Enter the bootcut. It fixes all the things the skinny couldn’t. Our favourite things about the gentle flare that starts at the knee?
It corrects proportions. It works with your hips if they’re wide, it makes your legs look longer (and does so consistently) in a way that almost feels like cheating because it requires so little effort on your part. It sits beautifully on a heel and is equally lovely with a flat western boot or pointed mule.
The proportions are solid. Have been for decades because good proportion just doesn’t go out of style. Below you’ll find our picks for the bootcuts worth buying.
Contrary to what the endless listings on retail sites would have you believe, this category is somewhat niche. Rise is everything with this cut. Too low and your whole silhouette falls into “trying hard to look vintage” territory.
Keep it mid to high and you’ll feel like you’re dressing with the times, without sacrificing any of the goodwill this jean has earned over its consistently flattering fit. Denim weight is important too. A heavier denim gives that glorious flare some body and ensures the jeans aren’t just collapsing all over your legs as they’re meant to drape with purpose.
We’ve been selective here because anything too light ruins the magic. We’ve also been thoughtful about the leg itself. Some people like their bootcut almost undetectable; almost straight from waist to hip with only a small flare at the hem.
Others prefer a wide kick that really makes a statement and is fabulous paired with a heel. You’ll find both below because they’re both amazing and suit different needs and wardrobes. These jeans are for life.
For the Friday at the office when you need to look put together but aren’t quite ready to commit to a full on trouser. For weekends that start at the beach and end at dinner. For the woman who gave the wide leg a try and just found it TOO much.
For you. The jean that fits how denim should actually fit: comfortably, and without trying to mold you into something else. The bootcut never went anywhere.
We just stopped noticing for awhile.
