Why don’t bootcut pants work on me?

Ket

Hi all!

I’ve been pondering something… the one jean/pant leg line that has been the toughest for me to wear and work with is the hailed classic: the bootcut. In 2011, when skinny jeans were the thing, I tried on both bootcut jeans and skinnies. My brother was with me. He said I looked much better in the skinnies; the bootcut pair added a lot of visual weight he felt. (These were more of a skinny straight; I still wasn’t wearing the skintight calf sucking skinnies.)

I would say that’s been true every time I try bootcut. I always look and feel shorter, wider, and heavier in them than I really am. Flares are even worse. This is true even when the hips and waist are well fitted. I can circumvent this to a degree by wearing a high heel with the bootcut—the higher, the better. That seems to help things. But I’m over high heels over 1-2” for the most part.

Unfortunately I don’t have any photos of me in bootcut jeans. (Much was lost in moves and the mold debacle.)

Any ideas as to why this is? Are there certain people or even body types that just don’t do well in a bootcut??

I can wear a wide or A-line leg, and a straight or skinny leg just fine. I haven’t found a baby (tiny) bootcut jean to try. They’ve been more standard bootcut. Idk… it has me miffed.

1 week ago

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ket, I can't imagine you not rocking bootcuts!

There must have been something wrong with the fit. Maybe it was the length (too short), width of the flare (not wide enough), or fit on the knees (too tapered). Perhaps the rise was too low or too high?

I'd have to see you in bootcuts to offer a more informed opinion!!

1 week ago

Indigoprint

Veteran

I agree with Angie...maybe just the not right pair yet?
Jeans are such a hard fit.

1 week ago

Ket

Veteran

Angie, I take some hope by your reply! I will find some bootcut jeans/pants to try and will report back. I know they're supposed to be amazing for just about everyone. But for some reason, I feel I haven't cracked the code with them. (This is over the last decade or so of trying.) Maybe if I try City Chic or such I'll find a better fit...

Indigoprint, they are a hard fit! I so agree.

1 week ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ket, I don’t know about you, but I find some bootcuts to be too fitted on the thigh and knee and then they flare out from there. I do not like that look. If I can find a pair that has a gentler flare with a less fitted thigh, I like the look much better. It’s almost like the more fitted and flared versions add more curves to my form, which I don’t need. I like the gentler flare of a wider fit on the thigh, even though I have long legs. I don’t know if that resonates at all?

1 week ago

Lisa

Veteran

I'm a big fan of all jean styles including bootcuts. But how I wear them has changed over the years. Right now I prefer my bootcuts with a mid rise and I go up one or two sizes for more slouch in the overall fit as well as some scrunch at the ankles.

My newest bootcuts are the Lucky Brand Sweet Mid Rise Boot in both a lighter and darker wash. The light wash is 2 sizes larger and the dark wash is 1 size larger than my true size. Here's a recent WIW with the light wash and the dark wash.

Previously when I wore bootcuts I went for a more form fitting style that hugged the bum and thigh area more than what I sport right now, and the jeans were hemmed to PPL (1/4" from the floor) (now I have lots of scrunch at the ankles). I achieved the form fit by wearing my true size and a low rise along with getting the jeans hemmed for the length. In later years I kept the form fit style and PPL, still wearing my true size, but went with a high rise.

Changing the rise and moving away from my true size has helped me make my bootcuts (or any of my jeans) more current. And they are more comfy!

I think everyone can wear every style of jean, but it's sometimes work to find the right brand, size, and fit. I recall at one point years ago trying on a dozen pairs of white bootcut jeans before I found the one that worked for me.

When you shop, I'd say along with trying different rises, also try different sizes, fabrics, washes and of course brands. Some brands have more/less spandex which will also affect the fit. Good luck!

1 week ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

Exactly what Janet said. That is my experience with bootcuts. If a bootcut has more of a kick flare look, it looks terrible on me.

1 week ago

Star

Veteran

I can only tell you why they don't work on me. My personal preference (on myself) is a more tapered leg. This applies to skirts too. I have a wide middle, regardless of my weight, my middle is always nearly as wide as my hips. If I don't taper in the bottom I feel like a block. However, non-denim, lighter weight wide leg pants feel good. Maybe it is the movement in them that makes them feel less blocky.

1 week ago

Column

Veteran

Ket,

I feel ya`! Bootcut is the one style I don`t wear well, either. Like others, I have found that all the other fit points on the flared jean just add curves where I want straight lines. Wide legs with a pleated waist, which don`t immediately come to mind as the most elongating silhouette, on me (an hourglass whose smallest point is the high cinched waist) are, </p> <p>Of course Angie is right: There is a perfect bootcut out there for everyone. It`s just not worth trying so hard if I can easily find other cuts I really love. (I`m in the same boat with white jeans, btw. I just can`t find a look that doesn`t expand my bottom half by 1.5X its natural size, so I quit trying.)

1 week ago

Dee

Veteran

Lots of great suggestions from others on some of the factors that may help. I had never considered going up a size or paying attention to how form fitting a jean was from the hip to the knee area, and where the flare portion starts. Sometimes this mermaid style shape isn't always the best for everyone and as Column mentioned, fortunately there are plenty of other jean styles that may be much easier to wear. Good luck in your search

1 week ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I don't know if it will help, but I think there is just too much "pressure" to own and try every type of jeans/pants. We had an explosion of different styles the last few years, and some of them, honestly, I thought: what are people thinking? Why is this in a magazine?

In terms of boot cuts, are your legs less straight? Are you knock-kneed, or anything? Because that can affect sort of the line of the pants, I think.

I'm sure the right pair are out there, you might just need to keep looking.

1 week ago

Irina

Veteran

I don’t wear bootcut or flare jeans/pants myself. I’m heavier on top and slim silhouette on my thighs makes it more obvious. I wore it years ago but always with fitted tops for balance.

I hope you find a solution for yourself, not everything looks good on us and it’s ok, plenty of styles left to enjoy.

1 week ago

LJP

Veteran

I don't wear bootcut pants or jeans either. They have never been the environmental norm where I live , and I can honestly say I've haven’t seen them on friends or coworkers in decades. I've tried, as they seem like they should work, but I don't like the feel of a tight thigh or bum in jeans, and don't love that mermaid silhouette - as Dee so succinctly put it. Looser flared crops yes, but true bootcuts just don't work. Maybe I'm too short at 5'5" too.

1 week ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Hmm interesting - I have always had a thing for bootcuts because I find them flattering on my short rectangular (at best) frame. But they come in so many varieties, with different amount of flare, different degrees of tightness on the thigh, different breaks, etc. that I am sure it is a matter of testing. Or maybe I am thinking of a more loose definition of bootcuts that encompasses all sorts of flare jeans.

6 days ago

DonnaF

Veteran

Maybe in the future if you have a lot of time and energy and brick’n’mortar stores still exist, you can do a try on session with many pairs and many sizes. Who knows? Maybe by then bootcuts and flares will be cut more to flatter your body. Both happen to work for me in Petite sizing but I’m not even going to try loose baggy jeans because I’m short with extra short legs. There’s only certain types of ridiculous I’m willing to wear.

6 days ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

As others have said, there is probably a version of every style to suit every body...but some are just plain harder to fit. I think you and I have had this conversation before, and even though the two of ushave different body types, I think we both prefer the same cuts of pants on our bodies -- either a wide leg that is fitted at the hip/ waist, looser on the thigh, and quite A-line OR a tapered leg of some description that shows the ankle anything from a cigarette to a slim BF (or in my case at least) a barrel leg.

I can also wear wide crops and some slim straights, full length or cropped. But the hardest pants for me to wear are:

Kick crops -- these make me look and feel horrendous. I love them on others, so I desperately tried to make them work...but ugh. Too clingy on the thigh and then the little boot crop at bottom cuts off my short calves.

SOME bootcuts. Not all. As few versions do work, especially those with wider flares, as Brooklyn said, and the right rise, probably a mid-rise. However, the ones that are bad are just yuck on me. I mean, I feel yuck, no matter how I might look to others.

Some straight legs if they don't have the right rise. What is the right rise? I am not sure.

Wide legs that are not truly wide on my thighs, i.e. they cling too much to my thighs. If they are too snug on the thigh, they feel terrible.

I honestly don't know in my own case if the issue is the shape of my thighs, or my rise length, or what it is....but I know what feels good and what doesn't.

5 days ago

Ket

Veteran

Janet and Brooklyn, I actually wonder if this is the issue: too tight at the knee and lower thigh causing it to be a kick flare. I had a pair of actual wide flare pants 2 years ago. They were probably too tight around need (memory is rusty). They also very high rise. With my very deep and wide pelvis/rise, I felt ridiculous in them. They actually did work okay worn with a heels and longer sweater that hit mid thigh, as it covered the pelvic region. But whew... they felt like a disaster otherwise. I donated those super fast. (See stock photo.)

Lisa, good thought on sizing up! I'm eager to see if that helps.

Star, it's so helpful learning about everyone's preferences and body shapes! I actually have a pretty small waist, but... I have a very wide, deep pelvis and rise. A tapered leg or wide leg tends to feel better to me too. I think the movement definitely does something with the wide legs.

Column, so interesting about the wide legs with pleated waist!! I am a Figure 8-- very similar to hourglass but with a very high pelvis/hip break. I have a pair of tapered legs with pleated waist; those aren't good on me tbh. But my new wide leg pants are -- though they don't have any pleats necessarily. I agree: I'm not sure yet if it's worth deep-diving to find a bootcut shape that works on me or not. I think this is wear sewing for myself might be the better solution.

Dee, thank you for sharing!! I am curious to see what shakes out. With boho being really big this year (again), I actually would like to find a pair of soft bootcut jeans. BUT... we'll see!

Carol, this does help. So thank you! I do know what you mean by the pressure. It's kind of like people trying to make those "10 classics everyone must own" type lists work for them. Sometimes it's worth it, sometimes not. No knocked knees, bowed legs, etc. What I do have is a deep and wide pelvis with very high hip break, like Sophia Loren in photos below. Such a body feature changes how jeans/pants fit, move, and look on me especially at current higher weight. I still think a bootcut jean is possible, but I also think it's going have to fit just right.

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3 days ago

Ket

Veteran

Irina, thank you for your lovely encouragement! We'll see if I find a bootcut jean or move on to other lovely styles.

LJP, mermaid silhouette is a good point! It sounds like that is something to really look out for when trying on. Also, good point on cultural styles. They aren't really big where I live. I do think they'll make a comeback, somewhat. But mostly, I see a lot of skinny jeans or wide leg jeans in loose to baggy fits. That could shift come autumn. (I personally predict we'll see the boho trend this year splash big this coming autumn/winter.) For now, everything is wide leg around me. Local trends have never kept me from doing my own thing, yet I sometimes feel more aware of it as I age for whatever the reason.

Jaime, it is true! They do come in a of variety. You're very right on! I come from a generation who generally wore them very tight and fitted through hips and thighs. Might have to find less tight, less flared versions that still fit well.

DonnaF, I do need and want to do try-ons in a real store! That will help a lot for sure. Try-ons were more challenging the past few years for a variety of reasons. Maybe this summer I can take an afternoon to go solo shopping and try a few stores.

3 days ago

Ket

Veteran

Suz, yes!!! Even though you and I do have different body shapes, we need and prefer similar pant shapes. I know we recently discussed it about wide legs. We both prefer the shape you so elegantly described for wide-legs OR tapered legs with some ankle. So yes and yes!!

Want to laugh with me? I tried to wear kick-crops in my very late teens/early 20s, when they were popular. They were a disaster even then and I remember hating them. I can't even remember if I actually bought a pair or was so horrified by the look of them that I left them in the dressing room.

Bootcuts. from what you, Brooklyn, and and Janet have shared, I think I really need to find a subtle bootcut that fits just right through the hips and thighs. (Maybe a unicorn??) I think everything I've tried the last few years has been too wide/flared, and/or too fitted (tight) through upper thighs.

Straight jeans have to be just so. Fitted through hips and upper thigh, but not tight on thighs. And not too wide at the lower leg portion. My Leigh jeans really work. They're technically considered a tapered jean. However, I have such slim ankles and calves (my PT lamented this actually and was trying to get me to beef up my lower legs), that they look and wear slim straight on me. Which I absolutely love!

Rises... those are tricky for me. Are they tricky for you?? I have a deep rise with a very prominent pelvic/hip shelf and dip at my outer thigh/hip crease A mid rise is awkward to wear if it isn't high enough. (Meaning, it cuts into my pelvis/hip shelf.) But a high rise usually hits my navel, which is almost mid-rise on me. A higher rise than navel makes my legs look very long, but then I feel my bodice/upper torso looks a bit unnaturally short? I still haven't figured out proportions of it all.

I honestly don't know in my own case if the issue is the shape of my thighs, or my rise length, or what it is....but I know what feels good and what doesn't.

1000% this, Suz!! I think we are both very instinctual dressers. I often can't figure out the why, but I can tell when something is off and am usually best trusting it. That said, when I ask here, everyone has such great insights that I've learned a lot. But still, instinct/gut/intution goes a long way with dressing.

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3 days ago

Runcarla

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I’m not the best at silouhette analysis, but I have some theories about how some styles fight with certain body types. A person can be an ‘X’ shape curvy with full bust and hips, and narrow waist, but a person can also have narrow joints (ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, etc.) and full muscles that add extra curves. Sometimes a style or cut adds (extra?) curves that seem discordant - especially to an already curvy figure. Conversely, the cut of a garment can add curves that work in harmony with a person’s figure.

There’s probably a bootcut/flare out there that would suit you, but it’s going to be more work to find it than you may want to invest, when there are already cuts of jeans that you enjoy. The same goes for wide leg styles. I had to try on way more wide leg pants before I found a cut that worked, whereas it is pretty straightforward (easy!) to find straight leg styles that work.

I’d speculate you might find a bootcut that is looser/straighter through the knee might work. It would accentuate the curve of your hips, skim the length of your legs, and flare again over the lower calf through the ankle - thus elongating the leg. (Does this make sense?)

3 days ago

Ket

Veteran

Oh Carla, this is so good! I haven't thought of those points before nor heard of your theory. I really think you're onto something! I'm somewhere on the X/8 spectrum and then yes, very narrow joints and, currently, fuller limbs. I was just talking in another post about how curvy, wide and heavy I looked in a 50s flared sundress--which should be smashing on an hourglass type figure, but wasn't on me. Your theory is really making a lot of sense!

I am still surprised by how the wide leg pants I bought for this summer are good on me. They felt somewhat easy. (Drapey fabric probably helped immensely.) Bootcuts have yet to feel easy. I may do some trying on to see if I find something. I would like to find a pair for this autumn, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

3 days ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Also classic jeans companies are always where I go when I need a really solid pair: Lee, Wrangler, CK, Gap, Levis, etc. Sometimes for bootcut, they are going to know best how to make them good. Also, have you considered black or a dark gray wash? Or even white. Something different.

And do you know the band The Donnas? Not exactly applicable, but some of those girls were curvy (on and off), and they wore bootcuts all the time, and they had a way of wearing those difficult aughts cuts in a way that said "I just don't care."

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3 days ago

Suz

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Such a cute photo, Carol!

Ket, I think for me the rise issue is definitely a factor, yes. I have a loooonng rise for my height/ size. But I also have a short waist. There's space between my true waist and my navel (which is lower) but above my true waist there's very little space to my ribs.

My hips (the hip shelf) is not actually wide if you look at me from the front -- just average, I'd say -- but I have a curvy bum and my thighs are muscular for my overall size, so the hip measurement is not small (and pants that are too snug and don't have stretch don't fit well in the rise, bum, thigh).

I think a tapered or a cropped pant works for a reason Carla alludes to -- the ankle bone shows. If I'm wearing boots at least the narrower part of the ankle is visible, even if it is encased in something.

Wide legs work because they skim my larger thighs and don't pinch. But a stovepipe wide leg is less good than an A -line because it makes me too straight up and down, while an A-line (on me) skims where I need skimming and makes a kind of triangle on the bottom that mirrors the triangle of (relatively) slimmer waist to shoulder.

I'm the opposite of Carla -- I have to work hard to find a straight leg that works (but they do exist -- I just need to be picky). Whereas quite a lot of wide legs will work on me -- even stovepipe styles if I buy the loose enough. Though A-lines are way better.

Your wide leg summer pants are just perfect on you. Really fabulous. I agree the fabrication helps, but you would look good in the right jean of that approximate style, too.

2 days ago

Ket

Veteran

Carol, that's a great thought about going with a classic brand. My issue in the past has been limited or lack of sizing. BUT... perhaps it has changed in recent years. I will check them out!!

2 days ago

Ket

Veteran

Suz, same with rise and shorter waist. I definitely do not have a lot of torso space, especially with such a long rise and prominent pelvic/hip shelf. I have very fuller, curvy hips and thighs, but more-so across (wide) versus a lot of depth when viewed from side (i.e., juicy or "bubble butt" if you will). My midwife even remarked at what a huge roomy pelvis I had, ha!

Very good points about wide leg shapes and widths! I haven't tried many wide leg styles until this year. I think my tropical/resort style pants work because the fabrics are soft and drapey. My husband commented he thought my black resort pants was a skirt until random women kept complimenting me on how much they loved my pants. (lol) Wide legs warrant more experimenting for me, I think.

I wonder if I'll find similar issues with straight legs. I have in the past. Between having very narrow calves and ankles but fuller hips and thighs, I haven't found a straight that felt good to me. They tend to feel frumpy and blah to me -- unless it shows some ankle. (So much a theme for us!)

This has been a very interesting and helpful discussion. It's also been fun knowing someone else has similar fit needs!

2 days ago

Suntiger

Veteran

I'm an 8 shape too, and bootcuts work well on me, but I'm much rounder front to back than sideways. Pants/jeans I wear don't have very narrow knees though, and hang straight from the knee instead of kicking out. I also wear them long and with a bit of heel (wedge or platform ok too), not the awkward shorter "new full length."

1 day ago

JAileen

Veteran

I am pear shaped, and wear bootcuts all the time. I never ever wore skinny jeans. When I tried them, I thought I looked like an ice cream cone. I do live where bootcuts are normal. If you don’t like them, though, just don’t sweat it. I love that wide leg jeans are in. They remind me of my high school and college days.

5 hours ago

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