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Bootcut jeans might strike fear in the hearts of millennial folks like me, but like it or not, this denim style is officially back. In fact – worn right, they're the definition of minimal nineties cool.
Look no further than Bella Hadid and Dakota Johnson for proof. Both have been purveyors of the kick-out silhouette for some time now, with Bella channelling a vintage Cindy Crawford look since around 2023 – styling her slim-fit mid-rise bootcut jeans with belts, boots and minimal accessories (or her signature horse girl gear, of course). Our girl Dakota, meanwhile, often favours this slightly-flared denim for day-to-day dressing – more on that later.
Best bootcut jeans
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Bootcut jeans, along with cigarette jeans, and, yes, skinny jeans are all having a trending moment right now as the world slowly weans itself off of the baggy and barrel styles that have dominated wardrobes for years. Over on the runways, Gucci showed plenty of kicky denim styles in menswear for Pre-Fall 2026, while Calvin Klein also leaned towards a more modern take on the bootcut for Spring/Summer '26, with elongated and slightly-flared denim.
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What are bootcut jeans?
Well, there's a reason they're called ‘bootcut’ – named as such because they were designed with a slight flare at the ankle to allow a pair of boots to fit easily underneath. Popularised in the 1990s towards the early 2000s, bootcut jeans typically feature a slim fit through to the thigh, before subtly flaring outwards from the knee to the ankle. Look to '90s Kate Moss and Gwyneth Paltrow for quintessential examples of bootcut jeans:
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And while you don't have to wear bootcut jeans with boots, there's no doubting it makes perfect sense (that's what they were made for, after all) – though you can easily swap them out for sandals, loafers or ballet flats as the weather gets warmer. Still wondering how to wear bootcut jeans? Ahead, seven chic outfit formulas featuring the famous 90s denim style, according to the fashion set.
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How to wear bootcut jeans:
All black with longline leather
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All hail Dakota Johnson, queen of off-duty denim. The actor is also a longtime fan of cigarette jeans, but dabbles with bootcut styles too – proving here that head-to-toe black always works. She's gone for a mid-rise, flared cut – note how her leather coat hits exactly at the knee, where the jeans begin to kick out.
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Ariana DeBose, proving that bootcut jeans work perfectly for event dressing when teamed with some tailored pieces and a killer heel.
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Here's how to style them.
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With a polo neck + vintage leather
It's giving… vintage quiet luxury. With her brushed-back headband, cat-eye sunglasses and chunky gold earrings, I'm getting 90s divorcée vibes from Bella's latest bootcut look, teamed with a classic leather belt and lived-in leather jacket.
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Add volume on top
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In case you were running out of ways to style your favourite striped rugby top, bootcut jeans work perfectly with this year's go-to preppy separates, too. A tailored coat and simple ankle boots complete the look.
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A new take on the barrel jean, the wide balloon fit has a chokehold on the fashion world.
With asymmetric layers
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Also returning from the 2000s is the long top trend (likened, brace yourself – to the dress-over-trousers look we'll never forget) – now re-emerging on the street style set via asymmetric lace-trim camisoles that work really well with flared silhouettes like bootcut jeans. Add a cropped knit to maximise that layered look.
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With a baby tee + bomber
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Proof that simplicity is best when it comes to styling bootcut jeans – a classic tee, belt and bomber is all you need.
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A version of this article originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.
