Alright, so let’s talk about these bootcut jeans. They kinda snuck back into style, right? And I gotta admit, for a hot minute, I was standing in my closet, holding a pair, thinking, “What in the world am I supposed to put on my feet with these?” It wasn’t as straightforward as I thought it would be.
I remember digging out an old favorite pair, all excited to wear them again. Then came the shoe dilemma. My go-to sneakers? Looked kinda clunky and weird. My trusty flats? They just disappeared under the flare, made my feet look non-existent. It was frustrating, man. I actually almost gave up on them, thinking maybe they weren’t for me anymore.
My Great Bootcut Shoe Experiment
So, how did I crack this code? Well, it wasn’t from reading a bunch of fancy fashion blogs, that’s for sure. A lot of that advice felt too generic. I really got down to it one weekend when I was determined to wear my bootcuts to a friend’s casual birthday thing. I didn’t want to look like I just rolled out of bed, you know? But I also didn’t want to look like I was trying too hard.
I literally pulled out almost every pair of shoes I owned. It was a mess. My bedroom floor looked like a shoe store exploded. My dog was looking at me like I’d lost my mind. I spent a good hour, maybe more, just trying on different combinations. Some were instant “nope,” others were “meh, maybe,” and a few were surprisingly “hey, this actually works!”
It reminded me of this one time I tried to fix a leaky faucet myself using online tutorials. Started off all confident, then ended up with water everywhere, more confused than when I started. This bootcut shoe thing felt a bit like that initially. Lots of trial, plenty of error.
Shoes That Actually Made the Cut (For Me, Anyway)
Through all that chaos, I figured out a few things that consistently looked good. Here’s what ended up in my personal “yes, wear these” pile:
- Pointed-Toe Heels or Boots: Seriously, these are magic. They peek out from under the hem just right, and that pointy toe makes your legs look longer. Doesn’t even have to be a super high heel. A little kitten heel works wonders too. I found an old pair of pointy black ankle boots, and boom, instant chic.
- Heeled Ankle Boots (any toe shape, really): These are probably my top pick. Whether they’re almond toe, square toe, or round, as long as they have a bit of a heel (block heel, slimmer heel, whatever), they just work. They give you that little bit of lift so the jeans don’t drag, and they fill out the opening of the jean nicely. I have this one pair of tan suede ones that are my absolute go-to.
- Platform Sneakers: Okay, I was skeptical about this one. But if the platform isn’t too crazy chunky and the jeans are the right length, it can actually look pretty cool and casual. The key is that the jeans can’t be pooling on the ground. You still need to see a bit of that platform. It’s a fine line, this one.
- Wedges: Especially in the summer, wedges are a solid choice. They give you height, they’re usually comfortable, and they pair well with that slightly retro vibe bootcuts can have. I’ve got a pair of espadrille wedges that are perfect with lighter wash bootcuts.
- Clogs or Heeled Mules: Another surprise hit! The slight chunkiness of a clog or a heeled mule seems to balance the flare of the jeans really well. Plus, they’re easy to slip on and off.
What didn’t work for me? Super flat, delicate sandals got lost. Most of my regular, non-platform sneakers just made me feel frumpy with bootcuts. It’s all about getting that proportion right, I guess. You need a shoe that can hold its own against the flare.
So yeah, that was my little adventure into the world of bootcut jeans and shoes. It took some doing, some real-life trying-on, not just scrolling through pictures. But now, I feel like I’ve got a handle on it. No more closet meltdowns when I reach for my bootcuts. Hopefully, my little trial-and-error session helps someone else out there too!