The '90s Denim Trend Fashion People Are Wearing With Everything

Denim trends always seem to go in and out at a rapid-fire pace. But is it just me, or does it feel like they've been moving even more quickly than usual recently? From more extreme takes like colored denim and ultra-baggy fits to the return of low-rise jeans, the rotation of trends flittering through seems to be greater than ever before. In the midst of this denim mania, fashion people have also been wearing outfits featuring another nostalgic denim trend: bootcut jeans.

We last saw bootcut jeans having their true heyday during the '90s, amid the low-rise-jean phase, but they've gotten an update since the iconic decade. From chic cropped iterations of the trend to slightly more streamlined silhouettes, the latest takes on the look are proving that the old-school style is here to stay. Not convinced yet? Scroll down to see how my favorite It girls are styling bootcut jeans outfits this season.

woman's outfit with bootcut jeans, t-shirt, and black blazer

(Image credit: @tylynnnguyen)

What You'll Need: Oval sunglasses + blazer + t-shirt + bootcut jeans + thong sandals

Style Notes: Take the '90s aesthetic all the way by adding a pair of oval sunglasses.

woman's outfit with white bootcut jeans and t-shirt and blazer

(Image credit: @hoskelsa)

What You'll Need: Sunglasses + oversized blazer + t-shirt + bootcut jeans + UGG boots + crescent shoulder bag

Style Notes: With the Ugg revival in full swing, now's the time to style them with your favorite pair of bootcut jeans. Add in some cool accessories to finish it off.

woman's outfits with bootcut jeans, white t-shirt, and herringbone print coat

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

What You'll Need: Herringbone print coat + tank + bootcut jeans + pointed pumps

Style Notes: For longer hems, heels are more than just an aesthetic choice, as they create the illusion of longer legs and save you from a hem job. 

outfit with bootcut jeans, blouse, shaggy fur coat and sandals

(Image credit: @luciacuesta_)

What You'll Need: Shaggy fur coat + halter top + bootcut jeans mules + shoulder bag

Style Notes: Everything looks better with a dramatic coat—including bootcut jeans.

woman's outfit with bootcut jeans, brown ankle boots, tank top, multi-color knit cardigan

(Image credit: @lefevrediary)

What You'll Need: Colorful cardigan + tank top + bootcut jeans + ankle boots

Style Notes: Colorful crochet sweaters have been everywhere this year, and they give these cropped jeans a psychedelic spin.

outfits-with-bootcut-jeans-273701-1638491673447-main

(Image credit: @endlesslyloveclub)

What You'll Need: Hoop earrings + shoulder bag + denim jacket + t-shirt + bootcut jeans + cowboy ankle boots

Style Notes: Yes, Canadian tuxedos will always be cool.

woman's outfit with white bootcut jeans and matching white pumps and dark denim shirt

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

What You'll Need: Denim shirt + white bootcut jeans + white pointed pumps

Style Notes: Here's an interesting take on denim on denim: a dark-wash denim shirt with white bootcut jeans. Unexpected yet welcomed.

woman's outfit with bootcut denim, black ankle boots, black sweater, and black coat

(Image credit: @sasha.mei)

What You'll Need: Hoop earrings + coat + turtleneck + bootcut jeans + belt + ankle boots

Style Notes: In my head, this is the perfect winter outfit, and no one can tell me otherwise. All of the elements are minimalistic, effortless, and likely easy to re-create with the staples you already own.

woman's outfit with bootcut jeans, button-down shirt, leather vest, and loafers

(Image credit: @shhtephs)

What You'll Need: Layered jewelry + leather vest + button-down shirt + distressed bootcut jeans + loafers

Style Notes: Admittedly, I was dubious about the return of distressed denim, but outfits like this have convinced me otherwise. Pairing it with loafers gives this look a subtle downtown edge.

woman's outfit with bootcut jeans, white t-shirt, black blazer, ballet flats, and Chanel flap bag

(Image credit: @fakerstrom)

What You'll Need: Oversized blazer + t-shirt + quilted crossbody bag + belt + baggy bootcut jeans + ballet flats

Style Notes: This look marries the bootcut and loose denim trend that's been raging on over the past few months.

woman's outfit with-bootcut jeans, tank, and suede trench

(Image credit: @dianekari)

What You'll Need: Suede trench coat + tank top + high-waisted bootcut jeans + boots

Style Notes: If you're like me, you're going for ultra–high-waisted silhouettes like this.

woman's outfit with bootcut jeans, white t-shirt, plaid blazer, and ballet flats

(Image credit: @salome.mory)

What You'll Need: Printed blazer + t-shirt + quilted shoulder bag + bootcut jeans + ballet flats

Style Notes: Truly peak Parisienne.

woman's outfit with black bootcut jeans, black shirt, black sneakers, and trench coat

(Image credit: @leasy_inparis)

What You'll Need: Trench coat + black t-shirt + black bootcut jeans + black sneakers

Style Notes: Give your blue jeans a break and reach for a black pair of bootcut denim. For a visual contrast that will capture everyone's attention, wear them with a tan trench coat.

This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Fashion Market Editor

Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. While going to school at Columbia University in New York City, she got her feet wet in the fashion industry interning at Elle magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and New York magazine's The Cut. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. There, she worked on a multitude of projects, including styling inbook feature stories for New York magazine's print issue, writing and pitching market stories for The Cut, and serving as fashion lead for The Cut's branded content. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter. Now she is a fashion market editor for Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her duties as a fashion market editor, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times. But once the computer goes down and the emails turn off, she's likely eating her way through Koreatown, hunting down vintage furniture, scoping out new outrageous nail designs to try, or taking a hot cycling class.

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