Styling bootcuts. Advice, thoughts, warnings. - YouLookFab Forum

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Styling bootcuts. Advice, thoughts, warnings.

Anonymous

I admittedly have a bit of a thing against traditional bootcut or flared jeans. It has something to do with the lack of sleekness (extra fabric flapping around the ankle and shoe) and some old notion that they aren't current. I know this is wrong, and I need help adjusting my eye. All I wear are skinnies and cropped flares, and I feel a little out of touch . I have 1 or 2 pair of bootcuts that fit and that I'm willing to wear ...the question is, how?

What is the most up-to-date way to style them? Caveats:
1. I am not in great shape and carry a lot of weight in my midsection . This may be tmi, but I look about 5 months pregnant at the best of times.

2.Tucking in is beyond my scope of imagination, thus my reliance on the long-over-lean formula of skinnies and a long top or jacket.

3. My legs are decent, and proportion is not an issue.

4. I don't love button-up shirts - they never fit properly , and can look too masculine on me.

So all of these barricades aside, tell me how to style them, with what jacket or top, and with what footwear - please! I want fashion forward looks, nothing too staid, unless it involves a Gucci belt and a Smythe jacket (my fantasy look but way out of reach now). Heck,even Accidental Icon posted a pic of herself wearing a pair today!

Dressing

55 replies

Latest reply was from Brooklyn

AndiB

Veteran

my story exactly. I am very drawn to boot cuts, flares, and baby boots. I have only one pair right now, a Kut from the Kloth, nice mid rise, and I too am on the lookout for a new pair. I want a very dark wash that I can wear with a little bit of a heel, to elongate the legs and distract from my middle! I'm in a biz cas office, so can wear trouser jeans, i just want a more modern cut. That said, I like to wear a slightly flowey blouse, not too long - say to my hip bones, and then a topper. The blouse either out or semi tucked. I don't tuck. The topper can be a blazer, my moto, or one of my longer blazers. I feel that crisps up the look and a pretty blouse softens everything. Accessorize with a neckerchief, I've really been drawn of late to little neck scarves, giving a bit of a french girl vibe to things. and that said, a striped tee also works with the ensemble. I really like a blazer/jacket to dress it up. I have tons of blazers (though many are a tad tight these days in the upper arms and across my back, aarrggg). Start WLC April 14. I came across some denim that i've been reluctant to buy as I'd like to be in my normal size 8 before buying, and KK's are okay for now, if not getting a bit faded. I'll see if I can dig up what I liked and put in finds. but I do feel ya.

Sara L.

Veteran

I'll admit that I don't wear my bootcuts that often either. I wear mine with pointy toe boots with a heel and sometimes still feel a bit stumpy. Also, I feel like I look better in real life than the photos I take. I attached an example and it's...fine, but kind of meh.

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AndiB

Veteran

https://www.saksfifthavenue.co.....#038;site_ This was one pair (did Angie link these recently? someone did and they were sold out in my size at Nordies, but lookey here, available at Saks!) But this is the look I like, dark, slim fitting except for the flare.

Anonymous

I think a swing tunic would look current and meet your requirements.

Irina

Veteran

I don’t know, Lisa. My issue with bootcuts is also shoes. Nothing so far looks like something I would want to wear. I like oxford with a bit of an ankle showing, so no go. Pointy toe looks outdated, booties are limited in a term of weather. I will follow your thread to see new ideas.

jill58

Veteran

Lisa, I rarely wear bootcuts for all the reasons that you mentioned. I have one pair that I do like and I always wear them with boots. They need a heel.

Christina F.

Veteran

I’ve been wearing mine with leather and suede booties with a bit of a heel. Not pointed toe, because I don’t think I would like that look either. When it warms up, I expect to be able to wear mules, or maybe my new Dansko clogs, but I don’t know how any of it will look yet.

The Wit & Wisdom bootcuts jeans are magical - I have tummy issues too. They are hands down my most comfy bottoms. And I feel great in them. I’m including recent pics. I’ve been extremely busy and these outfits are not exactly highly styled though

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JAileen

Veteran

I hesitate to answer here because I’m not cutting edge, as you are well aware. I posted a question about a pair of bootcut jeans that I thought might be too short. The YLF response was what I expected: they were too short. So now I wear them with sneakers, and when it warms up I plan to wear them with flat sandals and Boho tops. I still wear my longer ones with boots.

Colette

Veteran

Loose fitting tee, tank or top and one of your fab blazers.

Katerina

Veteran

Lisa, this is how I wore my flares the other day, but suspect it is staid for your fashion forward style.
I became intrigued by your question, so I looked at some Swedish blogs to find some inspiration. The second picture is a current look which I like a lot, especially the footwear.

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jmwolf

Hard to find a flare leg that hits at the right points on the leg for me, as I'm on the cusp of petite sizing. The key, IMO, in terms of flattery is that the flare begin at the knee. A baby boot (except on fitness pants/leggings) looks odd to my eye when it's tight halfway down the calf yet flaring out only just above the ankle.

As to the swishing sensation and sound...it seems a matter of fabrication (as well as fit of course) - heavy enough to drape but not too heavy to bunch and break in funny places.

gryffin

Veteran

Lisa - I like bootcuts. At 5'3" and not being able to wear "heels" I find flares too much volume. Some keys which to my eye balance them the most.
Footwear: Bootcuts are bottom heavy. To my eye they look best with a substantial shoe. I know they are not your style but cowboy boots balance well. That being said a high heeled oxford, sandal bootie with chunky heel, platform sandals, booties, block heeled high vamp. Think substantial for balance.
Blazers - especially anything with a defined waist and yes, equestrian feel is as Angie would say, a slam dunk. Smythe, Veronica Beard any of her cutaway styling. You need a shorter blazer for waist definition but not too long at least in front
Tops - knit and woven peplums. Did you try your zara b&w top? The waist definition should create a hourglass effect. Try it. Knit peplums can be skimming they will create a waist, glide on the hips echoing the silhouette and look good with or without a blazer. Cardi buttoned but only 2-3 buttons in the middle creating a defined waist but they will camouflage the mid section. Belted but faux tuck fluid, not oversized knit top. Again you'll glide and mask the middle by creating waist definition.
I do mine classic western equestrian - VB or smythe or gibson riding jacket, embellished belt, jackie cotton shell JC and cowboy boots.

I would really like you see your boots with your Zara wrap tops though. I think that might really work. Just remember balance, waist, classic hourglass with chunky footwear and you've got it.

ETA: Katerina did that. Platform shoe, short jacket, waist definition and she looks amazing as always!! Scarf is great (McQ anyone) because it balance weight at the top with width at the hem.

ETA one more time:http://www.onelittlemomma.com/.....r-guy.html anorak creates waist, short tunic w split hem (who knew? looks great). This looked like you!!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My only pair of boot cuts (which look like flares on me) are too low waisted to feel current and also (ahem) too small. Will I go out and get a new pair? I'm not sure. I do like like having one pair in rotation, because they make you feel like you have a real change of silhouette. It's a fun 70s vibe.

I agree with Gryffin that a platform shoe or sandal could be great. With one of those wrap tops -- for sure! Or with jacket and scarf as per Katerina.

I actually love mine with pointy toes but the pointed toed boot has to have some heft to it (even in a refined way, if you know what I mean).

Aquamarine

Veteran

I really like the styling on the blog gryffin linked to. The close fitting tunic top works on her, and looks fresh to my eye. I have one pair of bootcuts left, and sadly are too tight for me to wear right now...but when they did fit, I wore them with a chunky heel or substantial bootie (per gryffin), as well as clogs.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

To follow up on Gryffin's ideas, a drapy top in a shorter length with a wide, welted bottom. Or a wrap front v neck blouse that creates a similar effect. Both would add a bit of a waisted look without having to mess around with tucking things in.

I disagree with tunic ideas for bootcuts; one deliberate wide spot in the outfit is enough. And I think you need the pants to go all the way to the ground with whatever heeled shoes you're wearing.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Katerina, those are WIDE legs - not bootcuts. Bootcuts and bell bottoms are wide on the hem and sleek on the thighs. Wide legs are wide down the entire leg. You look FAB in your wide legs.

Lisa p, I LOVE my bell bottoms. Bell bottoms are wider and more dramatic at the hems than bootcuts, and the swish is magical. Makes me feel elegant. They look sleeker and more elegant than tapered legs to my eye. (I find bootcuts too narrow, and wide legs too wide for my style preferences at the moment - but l use to wear them).

I like a pullover or turtleneck and pointy toe pumps/boots with my bellbottoms - see pics.

Or blouse-y tops. See Finds

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Anonymous

I like the onelittlemomma styling too- great idea, and more my style for weekend wear. Fairly basic and easy to pop a casual jacket over.

Suz - exactly. That change in silhouette is what I'm craving. I worry though, that at my age, channeling the 70's may look like I never got out of them. I think avoiding a boho look is key?

gryffin - full of good ideas and information, as usual. Thank you ! i agree that it's really bootcuts I want, and not flares. The footwear may trip me up here - I don't own chunky or hefty shoes or boots - well, that would work underneath a pair of jeans. I'll try a block heeled bootie/sandal though...good idea. Wrap tops are a nice idea for waist flattery - will have to see what mine looks like with jeans . I have a very poison eye for visible fly-crotch point on jeans on myself (it's very unflattering and unappealing ) -thus the longer tunic top or t /tank with blazer will be my best bets (thanks Colette) . I'd love to find a belt I could wear as you do: lower slung and with a beautiful buckle.

jmwolf - I agree

katerina - hardly staid! In fact, your styling is far more fashion forward with the wide-leg jeans than I would ever wear. I'm thinking more in terms of a bootcut/small flare. No wide legs for me!

Janet - yes, I must pay attention to length. I'm not terribly tall (5'5") and need a bit of a heel to feel ok.

Christina - thanks for the tip re Wit & Wisdom. Are you not worried about mules catching your pant legs?

Irina, Jill, smittie - nodding to all of your comments...thank you

andiB - in a perfect world I'd buy those too. They look great as a work pant ! And yes, a blazer and a flowy blouse sounds good to me. Again, it's going to be the footwear. I'm still not satisfied that I have what I would need...

sara - what are you talking about? I LIKE your styling . Simple and flattering.

Christina F.

Veteran

Gah, maybe I should think about that, Lisa! Clearly, this was something I had not yet thought through. Anyway, these might work, since they have straps.

I agree about trying the look with a blazer.

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Anonymous

Lisa - yes, I can see how two wide horizontal lines might not be great, and the only reason it works on that blogger is because she's about a size 0. Guess I'm fooling myself . I really have trouble with anything above the crotch point though - I'll say this in all honesty, and can't worry about who it may offend: I'm fat in that area. It is not nice and no one needs to see it. Argh. Maybe I am destined to long over lean forever.

Angie - I like your styling, and of course all of this looks terrific on you. We do not share the same body type though, and I would never wear a turtleneck or anything fitted . What do you suggest for someone with my body type ?

Diana

Veteran

I wear mine mostly with tunics or with shell+jacket. Footwear is either booties with a 2" block heel or flatter booties/oxfords with an almond or pointy toe. Nothing groundbreaking but it works.

Diana

Veteran

a couple of my bootcut outfits if that helps at all.

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Anonymous

Diana - I like all three of your outfits - this would likely work for me too. Thank you !

Colette

Veteran

The shoes trip me up every time I try to wear my flares or bootcuts. I wanted to go out of my comfort zone and wear my white flares and do a tonal look for a casual Easter gathering but I have all the wrong shoes. I had the jeans hemmed with wedge sandals but it’s still freezing cold here (38 degrees high) and I need to be covered.

Anonymous

I like the bootcut look also. I wear cowgirl boots with mine, and a flirty flowy blouse or tunic. With you on the crotch shot exposer, no go for me to.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Okay. I just went on a trip down memory lane. Some of these outfits were actually part of a 70s challenge we did, so if they look overly 70s, it's intentional. But I actually wore them all and nobody blinked (and I had fun). Same jeans in every case. I kind of like them! Might like a higher waisted pair even more. Some of these options would not be to your taste, but some would/ could work, I think?

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Irina

Veteran

I used to wear bootcuts with fitted sweaters years ago. Those times are gone. I bought a pair of bootcut cords this winter. They are mid rise but almost “regular” rise on me and with less flair at the bottom then a pair on Suz. I wore them with a fitted blazer and a cashmere t-shirt untucked. Didn’t like much with my boots, so changed to sleeper kind of shoe in the office. I found that I will need slightly cropped sweater to wear with it. Overall, probably just OK kind of look. They cost only $20 and bought in Costco and would not pay more - not my kind of thing anymore.
Have you tried them with a blazer?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Looking at these, I realize that part of the reason they felt like "happy" outfits is they were reserved for clear sunny days! You can't wear bootcuts in the slush (or I can't, because, you know...walking.) They are a very limited wear item for me for that reason.

Anonymous

Suz- I remember that 70’s challenge I like the look on you ! Thanks for taking the time to post the photos . And of course the dirty ground issue is real here too - but I can usually avoid stepping in guck . We’re pretty dry here now anyways .

Irina - sorry , not sure what costs $20 from Costco and is not your look anymore ? Lol. If it’s the jeans - I’m not buying any , rather hoping to wear a pair I already have unless this blows the door off of my tired style and demands further investment

Colette

Veteran

Some inspiration. No tucking, no visible crotch points.

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