Bootcut jeans follow the leg closely through the thigh and knee, then open out slightly from the knee down to the hem. The extra width at the bottom, usually modest, was originally meant to let the leg fit over a boot without the fabric riding up or bunching around the ankle.
Because the flare is small compared with a full flare or wide leg cut, bootcut jeans still read as a fairly classic, everyday shape rather than a strong statement silhouette. The wider hem balances a fuller hip or thigh for some wearers, and it also works well with heeled boots and shoes, since the extra fabric skims over the top of the footwear instead of stopping short. A slightly longer inseam than usual is common with this cut, since the hem is meant to break near the top of a shoe or boot.
Bootcut sits between a straight leg and a full flare in most size charts, and getting the length right matters more here than with a slim cut, see how should jeans fit for guidance on hem length. Our jeans and shoes guide covers which footwear pairs well with this shape.
