Ask Angie: boot cuts vs. skinnies

Patience

This topic has been touched on in other threads, but I wanted to clarify the issue in its own thread. What are the rules for choosing boot cut denim vs. skinnies based on the top you are wearing? I think most people go with the idea that volume on top means no volume on bottom (skinnies). However, in the thread on Maya's marimekko voluminous top, boot cuts were clearly superior. Why? Does it depend on length? I'm guessing something needs to be balanced but I'm not quite putting my finger on it.

18 years ago

Dressing

1 reply from Maya

Maya

Veteran

Patience, I was also surprised when Angie recommended bootcuts, but now I think I get it. Bootcuts aren't really "voluminous." They are fitted through the hip and thigh and flare gently at the bottom. This is as opposed to widelegs, which are more relaxed, flare a lot, and tend to be less structured than bootcuts. I think since the top ended around the widest part of my hips, the skinnies actually made me look top heavy, so the gentle flare at the end of the bootcuts helped to balance the top. I haven't tried it wigh straightlegs yet but that might work too. Those skinnies were the tapered kind which don't really look good unless they're tucked into boots or worn with a long tunic.

18 years ago

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