The 2026 Way to Wear Bootcut Jeans Doesn't Actually Include Boots

Wear *these* shoes in *this* color instead.

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Bella Hadid wearing a orange leather top, bootcut jeans, and brown heels with glasses at The Bird Street Club in West Hollywood.
(Image credit: Backgrid)
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Bootcut jeans have always been one of the easiest to style denim silhouettes for one reason: the best shoes to wear with them are in the name. They were specifically designed to fall seamlessly around the shape of your favorite ankle boots—a match made in heaven. But sometimes, the "right" way to wear something isn't always the freshest. Everyone wears bootcut jeans with boots, and who wants to look like everybody else? Instead, It girls in 2026 are veering off path and opting for another sleek shoe trend to wear with their trendy bootcut jeans. For a hint at what that footwear style is, take a look at one of Bella Hadid's latest outfits.

The supermodel spent a night out at The Bird Street Club in West Hollywood to kick off her weekend, hanging out with friends in a cool-casual ensemble that's sure to go viral on Pinterest. Specifically, Hadid wore an orange, patent-leather going-out top with mid-wash bootcut jeans, finishing off the pairing with brown kitten heels—not boots. The choice instantly elevated her outfit, making it feel current and perfect for spring rather than "expected."

Bella Hadid wearing a orange leather top, bootcut jeans, and brown heels with glasses at The Bird Street Club in West Hollywood.

(Image credit: Backgrid)

On Bella Hadid: Prada Bonnie Large Suede Handbag ($3650)

The key to finding the perfect pair of kitten heels to wear with bootcut jeans is to first, choose a pointed-toe style, which will elongate the leg and give a more elevated, sophisticated look to your casual denim. Second, look for a neutral, but different color, like chocolate brown. It will make you look polished; plus, it's an easy-enough shoe shade to find, so securing the right pair for you won't come with a ton of hassle.

Or any hassle at all, given that I went ahead and found 6 pairs of bootcut jeans and brown kitten heels to go with. Happy shopping.

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Eliza Huber
Eliza Huber
Associate Editorial Director

Eliza Huber is currently the Associate Editorial Director at Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2021 as a fashion editor after starting her career as a writer at Refinery29, where she worked for four years. During her time at WWW, she launched Go Sports, the publication's sports vertical, and published four (and counting) quarterly issues tied to the WNBA, Formula One, and more. She also created two franchises, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on new seasonal trends, up-and-coming designers, and celebrity style.