It was only a matter of time before bootcut jeans made their comeback. This year, we sat back and watched as the most unexpected Noughties trends reared their heads – from peplums and Ugg boots, to bubble hemlines and Fendi baguettes – and wondered which would secure their foothold in mainstream fashion.
The bootcut jean, it seems, was no flash in the pan, even if its resurgence came courtesy of Kendrick Lamar at the Superbowl Half Time show (in Celine denim, we might add). In the month after, searches for bootcut jeans increased by 700% on Net-a-Porter.
This might not have all been down to Mr. Lamar, though. Just a few days prior, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex wore a Veronica Beard pair (linked below) at the Invictus Games. A long-standing champion of the bootcut trouser, the royal always pairs hers with elongating stiletto heels – no matter how casual her outfit is up-top.
Both Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss have pulled out a bootcut jean on occasion over the past decade, erring again on the smarter side with a heel and a high waistband. It's a failsafe and flattering option, as the extra inches combined with the sweeping hem creates the illusion of longer legs. But it has kept this denim cut firmly in the more 'formal' or 'workwear' genre for the past two decades.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is Bella Hadid who has bravely experimented with this style more than anyone. A quick scroll through her Instagram grid and you'll see that the model wears nothing but bootcut these days; and she's has taken it from elegant to relevant, in turn translating a trend for 20-somethings who probably never owned a pair the first time round.
The model has been spotted wearing a low-rise pair with a 'nice top' (a Noughties throwback that instantly brings to mind Keira Knightley and Britney Spears on the red carpet), and a dark high-waisted pair with cowboy boots and a Stetson hat. Hadid has also embraced the divisive bootcut-and-flats combo, styling her jeans with oversized shearling jackets and biker boots, as well as tank tops and trainers.
The latter combo is one Hadid has worn before in a 2017 Nike Cortez campaign – an ode to Farrah Fawcett in that famous 1974 Charlie's Angels skateboard scene. Because, of course, while we talk so much about the bootcut in a Noughties context, it has its roots in 1970s style.
If you've done the barrel leg to death, or you're not ready to dip your toe back into the skinny or cigarette jean trend (gulp), it might be time to try your hand at bootcut. Do it right with Cosmopolitan UK's pick of the best denim styles to browse right now:
What are bootcut jeans?
Those who feel they need confirmation of exactly what constitutes the bootcut jean, you are not alone. Not to be confused with wide-leg or flared jeans, which sit looser around the thigh, the bootcut is slim on the leg and kicks out below the knee. Cropped styles might be referred to as 'kick flares', the traditional bootcut jeans usually have a longer hemline.
How to style bootcut jeans:
If you're reluctant to tap into Y2K trends, or you simply want an elegant way to style bootcut jeans, follow one of these three formulas for easy styling:
For smarter looks, it always makes sense to go for a dark wash and team it with heels and something tailored – whether that be a double-breasted blazer or a trench coat.
The 'grown-up' version of Y2K? It's the boho look made so 2025 by Chloé's creative director Chemena Kamali. Team your high-rise bootcuts with a wedge sandal, clogs or a chunky boot, and top with an ethereal, ruffled blouse.
Finally, even if you're a flats girl through-and-through, we still don't recommend wearing the beloved ballet shoe with bootcut jeans – it feels a bit too throwback. Take inspiration from Farrah Fawcett and plump for trainers (preferably something retro like Adidas Sambas or a Nike Cortez) instead.
Abigail Southan is our Senior Fashion Ecommerce Editor and has five years' experience as a writer and editor in the industry. Abigail has a BA in History from the University of Bristol and an MA in Fashion Journalism from Central Saint Martins. Abigail currently covers all things style and shopping across titles including Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Esquire and Red. On a daily basis, she helps readers buy better with how-to-wear guides, first-person product reviews and deep dives into the latest trends. Previously, Abigail has worked for The Sunday Times’ Style and Fabulous magazine as their first ecommerce writer and was a founding editor of Sun Selects. She has also written for Net-a-Porter, I-D, Man About Town, Wonderland and 1 Granary, and has interviewed the likes of Paris Hilton, Dua Lipa and Christopher Bailey. You can follow Abigail on Instagram at @abigailsouthan.
