What are the differences between bootcut and straight leg jeans?
Finding the right pair of jeans can be frustrating and daunting. With so many brands, styles and colors to choose from, it can be hard to even begin to choose. While fads like bell bottoms and skinny jeans eventually come and go, two styles that have endured the test of time for both men and women are bootcut and straight-leg jeans. Which classic is for you depends on your height, body shape or body type and shoe collection.
Styles of jeans can vary from straight jeans, to flare jeans, cut jeans, baggy jeans, boyfriend jeans, fit jeans, high rise jeans, jeans with leg openings, loose fit jeans, low rise jeans, curvy jeans, mom jeans, relaxed fit jeans, straight cut jeans, denim jeans, high waist jeans, mid-rise jeans, slim fit jeans, straight fit jeans, tapered leg jeans and wide leg jeans. Depending on your body type and gender, like short women, the wearer of jeans can look to different styles for their needs, as well as different brands, like Levi’s, for their jean style needs. Some wear jeans from Amazon even, depending on the brands offered online for different body types, functionality and personal style needs for outfit ideas with the perfect pair of jeans.
The Cut
The main difference between bootcut and straight-leg jeans lies in the cut of the fabric. Bootcut jeans are slightly tapered in the thigh area and widen from the knee to the hem. Straight-leg jeans, on the other hand, essentially remain the same width the entire way down the leg, from thigh to ankle, so they fit more snug around the thigh than they do around the knees and calves.
Height
While you can wear either of these two classic styles regardless of your stature, you may find you prefer one look over the other based on your height or the length of your legs. Straight-leg jeans create the illusion of having longer legs for women or men who want to appear taller, while their bootcut counterparts do the opposite, breaking up leg length for anyone wanting to minimize their height.
Body Shape
When it comes to body shape and size, there are definite differences in the fit of bootcut versus straight-leg jeans. Bootcut jeans tend to be more flattering on well-endowed women, with the extra width at the bottom balancing out the top, and on women and men who are larger in the hip and thigh area thanks to the forgiving wider hems minimizing the difference between the thigh and ankle width. Because the straight-leg cut hugs the figure a bit more closely, it tends to favor those who have narrower hips and thighs.
The Shoes
You might not think the shoes you wear with a specific type of jean matter, but they can actually make or break your entire look. Bootcut jeans are made for just that -- wearing boots or other chunky shoes, like wedges. Chucks, high heels or long, lean boots made to wear over your pants enhance the look of straight-leg jeans.
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Writer Bio
Kimberly Stredney is editor-in-chief of InWithSkin, an international skin care, health and beauty magazine. She has been writing since 2007 for newspapers and magazines including "The Chicago Sun-Times" and "Cleveland Magazine." She attended Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and has a master's degree in cultural anthropology from Brandeis University, and dual bachelor's degrees in anthropology/psychology and communication from Ohio University.