Okendrick Lamar’s efficiency in the course of the Apple Music Tremendous Bowl LIX Halftime Present on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana, has despatched waves by the style world. The rapper’s gentle blue Celine denims, paired with a black T-shirt, blue letterman jacket, and shimmering diamond equipment, could seem easy at first look, however from a males’s vogue perspective, he has executed one thing exceptional. Gliding throughout the stage as he delivered a strong efficiency reverse Drake, Lamar has efficiently revived the bootcut denims pattern along with his flared denim.
Let’s be sincere—everybody has had a love-hate relationship with bootcut denims in some unspecified time in the future. They’ve gone from cool to uncool and now they’re again once more. Whether or not you have been a die-hard Hannah Montana or Britney Spears fan, or admired Saif Ali Khan’s avenue model, there’s no denying the ability of the bootcut silhouette in elevating a easy outfit.
How did bootcut denims get their identify?
In line with Manvi Goel, founding father of Thnwhn, like many iconic vogue items, bootcut denims began as a practical design earlier than turning into a mode assertion. “Bootcut denims bought their identify the old school means—by doing precisely what they have been meant to do: match over boots. Cowboys wanted denims that wouldn’t bunch up or strangle their footwear, so denim makers added a slight flare on the ankle,” she stated. By the 70s, the disco period gave bootcuts a contemporary identification—high-waisted, flared denim twirling underneath disco balls.
Anant Tanted, founder and CEO of The Indian Storage Co., stated that bootcut denims have existed for over 150 years. “The model traces again to sailor trousers from the 1850s, designed to suit over calf-high boots. That’s the place the time period ‘bootcut’ comes from—it was developed with boots in thoughts,” he instructed indianexpress.com.
In line with him, bootcuts advanced from helpful workwear to a vogue assertion, gaining reputation in Hollywood Westerns, 70s hippie tradition, 90s hip-hop, and even well-known Y2K pink carpet outfits. By the mid-1900s, bootcut denims solidified their standing as a cultural traditional. Regardless of competitors from bell-bottoms and flares within the 70s, bootcuts remained related by the 80s and early 2000s.
“Then got here the Y2K period, when bootcut denims grew to become a wardrobe staple, worn by pop stars, rock bands, and suburban dads alike—because of manufacturers like True Faith and Diesel,” stated Goel.
Tanted stated that in India, bootcuts actually took off because of a wave of Western affect. Iconic stars like Zeenat Aman (in Dum Maaro Dum), Amitabh Bachchan in his well-known motion pictures within the 70s and 80s, and lately, stars like Yash and Ranveer Singh have made bootcuts essential.
Sensible? Completely. Modern? Seems, sure.
How can males model bootcut denims?
Now that bootcut denims have made a robust comeback, mixing classic attraction with fashionable versatility, styling them appropriately is vital to reaching a balanced, polished search for males.
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Stylist Rishi Raj stated that there’s a distinction between a traditional bootcut and full bell-bottoms. “Go for a slight flare to maintain the look fashionable and wearable. Bootcut denims ought to match properly on the thighs and taper barely earlier than the flare begins.” In line with him, a dishevelled match all through can look outdated. He really useful avoiding free shirts or boxy jackets that may overwhelm the silhouette and make the outfit look sloppy.
The trick to styling bootcut denims is steadiness—assume fashionable proportions with a classic twist. “Take a cue from Kendrick Lamar and pair them with sneakers, an outsized tee, and a press release jacket for some edge. Need one thing higher? Go for distinctive particulars in bootcut denims as a substitute of an everyday pair,” stated Goel.
Movie star stylist Jhanvi Pallicha steered choosing the correct match. “Keep on with a size that skims the bottom with out pooling an excessive amount of. Hem them if wanted. Go for impartial and darker washes since lighter washes can lean too retro if styled poorly,” she stated.
Raj additionally stated that the bottom line is to put on footwear with some peak or construction to take care of steadiness with the flare. In line with Pallicha, boots similar to Chelsea, cowboy, or fight are essentially the most pure match for bootcut denims. White sneakers or loafers can work for a extra informal look.
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Pallicha additionally really useful layering good. “Jackets like leather-based, bomber, or denim work properly. Keep away from overly lengthy or outsized coats, which might overwhelm the look. Tuck in your shirt or attempt a half-tuck for a sharper silhouette,” she stated.
Widespread styling errors to keep away from:
- Going too dishevelled: Bootcut denims aren’t the identical as dishevelled denims. Overly free matches look outdated and sloppy.
- Ignoring proportion: Pairing bootcut denims with outsized tops or coats can create a disproportionate silhouette.
- Keep away from ultra-flat footwear and chunky sneakers in any respect prices.
