Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

What's up with bootcut jeans?

26 replies

papulacandin · 13/02/2011 16:03

Saw a thread on here last week and lots of MNers were of the view that bootcut jeans are fuddy duddy. But why?! For somebody like me whose weight is all in my legs (big thighs, large calfs) they are the only thing. I would look horrible in straight legs or heaven forbid skinny jeans.
PLEASE somebody explain to me.
BTW my jeans are all dark indigo denim and sit below the waist!

OP posts:
mrsravelstein · 13/02/2011 16:06

i used to love my bootcut jeans, but then i got my first pair of skinnnies and never looked back.

the only real jeans no-no, as far as i'm concerned, is the one perpetuated by tons of the mums in ds1's school playground - straight jeans apparently from BHS circa 1989 which are slightly too short in the leg and flap around the ankles showing off those very sensible black crepey wedgey soled shoes (where do you even BUY those bloody things?). v stylish.

mrsravelstein · 13/02/2011 16:07

also if you're a converse wearer, they look waaaay better with a slight boot cut than with skinnies...esp if like me you have unusually large feet for your height

MoonGirl1981 · 13/02/2011 16:29

Apparantly bootcut jeans are dated (source: Mr Wan) but I still like them.

I'm bigger around the hips/thighs and bootcut or flared trousers make me look a billion times better.

They do look good with Converse style trainers.

I even wear dresses over mine.

If you like them, wear them.

Agree about the 'mum' jeans. Tapered, too short, elastic bit at the back of the waistband and usually teamed with shoes from Ecco and a navy fleece. Not a good look.

happyinherts · 13/02/2011 16:50

@papulacandin - There's nothing 'fuddy duddy' about bootcut jeans. The problem is the word 'fashion.' It makes us think we are fuddy duddy if we don't jump to manufacturer's and designer's tunes and fork out money for different styles.

I'm probably older than you, but I think I have the same problem and I'd be a laughing stock in straight jeans or skinnies, I really really would. I've learnt now to let go of fashion and to go with what really suits my body. It makes me feel so much better. Take no notice of trends. Learn what suits you and stick to it.

happyinherts · 13/02/2011 16:50

@papulacandin - There's nothing 'fuddy duddy' about bootcut jeans. The problem is the word 'fashion.' It makes us think we are fuddy duddy if we don't jump to manufacturer's and designer's tunes and fork out money for different styles.

I'm probably older than you, but I think I have the same problem and I'd be a laughing stock in straight jeans or skinnies, I really really would. I've learnt now to let go of fashion and to go with what really suits my body. It makes me feel so much better. Take no notice of trends. Learn what suits you and stick to it.

traceybath · 13/02/2011 16:52

Bootcuts are back anyway.

I'm all for keeping up trend-wise but if something does nothing for you then bypass it. I'm small so will not be doing flares - I much prefer a skinny or very slim cut jean.

And do actually have a pair of Nudie very slim bootcuts which are lovely.

mrsravelstein · 13/02/2011 17:22

according to the Next spring/summer catalogue, we're all going to be wearing palazzo pants, which is a real worry for those of us who are not elle mcpherson

lucykate · 13/02/2011 17:25

i thought bootcuts were coming back, was in next last week and the jeans were either bootcut or boyfriend, didn't see any skinnies in there at all.

Bertina · 13/02/2011 17:29

I would look an absolute cock in skinny jeans.

In fact I'd probably cause road accidents, I'd look that hideous.

I love my flares. Grin

PS Are palazzo pants those really wide legged trousers? I don't think they look good at all on very tall slim women (apologies to tall slim women but ha! HA HA HA HA HA !!!

tulpe · 13/02/2011 17:37

You need to find a shape of jeans that suit you and stick with them, irrespective of trends.

Bootcut does seem to be the default setting though for many women even where their body shape doesn't suit it and I think that's because they have been marketed as flattering and easy to wear.

IMO, one of the worst style crimes is wearing really badly fitting jeans. The ones where women show half their backsides every time they sit, bend over etc. Or too tight on the waist creating muffin top. Ignore the label - buy what fits!

Original poster
papulacandin · 13/02/2011 19:03

@tulpe: you are so right. Can't stand the g-string out the back look or the dreaded 'camel toe'.

@happyinherts: you are so right. I'm waiting patiently for the current fashion of leggings and smocks / tunics to pass over. For the same reason with my legs I'd look minging in that combo. I only wearing leggings for running, in winter, in the dark!

All thanks for your words of encouragement to give 2 fingers to the fashionista!

OP posts:
Original poster
papulacandin · 13/02/2011 19:06

Anyway my DH makes sure my jeans are all acceptable to the general public. When we met I was wearing jeans that came up to the waist and ended neatly above the ankles Blush

OP posts:
ENormaSnob · 13/02/2011 19:34

Bootcut is back.

Niecie · 13/02/2011 19:38

Did they ever go away?

If they suit you, wear them. Really, unless they look terrible, do you notice the cut of other people's jeans?

WimpleOfTheBallet · 13/02/2011 19:39

I have heavy thighs cmpared to my calves and waist.. and I was CONVINCED bootcut looked best on me..then I tried skkinny and what a difference! But now they're out again!

I will be wering flares this summer..they're back....massive heels and flares.

I also find that a nice tightish pedal pusher jean with heels (wedge) looks good...very 1950s bombshell when teamed with a fluffy mohair sweater!

bulby · 13/02/2011 19:42

Bertina I'm very tall and slim and to be honest most clothes look bloody ridiculous as it's impossible to buy stuff that actually fits. Waist bands are on my ribs for top or digging into my hips on trousers and everything is half-mast. It's always amused me' when people assume clothes are cut for models, not that I'm anything like a model by the way, just the height of one! Smile

Bunbaker · 13/02/2011 19:53

I wasn't aware that bootcut was ever out and that skinnies are now out. The fashionistas haven't arrived in South Yorkshire.

I tend to ignore fashion if it won't suit me and go for style. A stylishly dressed woman wearing well fitting clothes never looks dated. You need to dress in a style that suits you. I hate the "fashion victim" look.

There is a mum at school who has the biggest backside I have ever seen. She wears skinnies and looks dreadful in them. Even OH, who never notices what other people are wearing, said "she shouldn't be wearing those"

wannabefree · 13/02/2011 19:58

Bertina, I'm tall and slim and I look FAB in my new palazzo pants!

They're actually really flattering, guys.

BachAtTheMoon · 13/02/2011 19:58

Are skinny jeans not just really all over? I've stuck to my boot cut for fear of looking like one of these

BachAtTheMoon · 13/02/2011 19:58

Gah!! Meant tight all over...

gaelicsheep · 13/02/2011 20:03

I don't care what's in or out. I wear what I believe suits me.

gaelicsheep · 13/02/2011 20:06

Except, of course, that if lime green ande shocking pink leggings happen to be "in" then that's all you can blardy well find in the shops. Which is why I never have enough clothes. Grrr.

smokinaces · 13/02/2011 20:14

I wear bootcut, only because they look better over trainers and boots. I love boyfriend fit, but as a youngish looking 28 I look a bit like a teen mum at times!

And I like higher waisted jeans. 2 c-sections has ruined my stomach and low rise jeans look awful. with a long top high waisted look a hell of a lot better on me.

another reason to ignore some of the "fashion advice"!

Bunbaker · 14/02/2011 06:51

Oh yes. I hate low rise jeans. I just find them plain uncomfortable and am forever hitching them up.

Meggles76 · 14/02/2011 09:29

I have skinnies, boyfriends and skinny flares in my wardrobe and I wear them all to create different looks.

The skinnies are good for daytime with knee boots or ballet flats and T-shirt and long cardigan or a breton top. I also like them for a night out with heels and a silk blouse.

The boyfriends are great for when I am running round with DD and DS. I wear with skinny tops and converse.

The skinny flares were a recent purchase from next and I love them. I have been wearing with stack heeled ankle boots and a breton top or white shirt. Everytime I wear them, someone asks me if I have lost weight Grin

Agree with others that it is more important to make sure the jeans fit well than to worry about being in fashion!!