This '90s Jeans Trend Is Surprisingly Back For Fall

Since the '50s, denim has emerged as one of the cooler categories in any given wardrobe. Whether it was James Dean as a Rebel Without a Cause, Haight Ashbury hippies during the counterculture movement, or grunge-loving teens throughout the '90s — they all wore jeans. Because of cultural tide shifts, silhouettes have ebbed and flowed throughout the years; skinnies, straights, flares, baggy, low-rise, and bootcut have all had their moments. In fact, bootcut jeans are the fall 2019 denim trend that many designers are surprisingly banking on — specifically, due to its universally wearable cut and versatility. "After years of skinnies and straights dominating the market, the bootcut feels really fresh again," says Alaina Miller, Citizens of Humanity Women’s Design Director. "Bootcuts are great at creating an elongated silhouette, especially when worn with heels."

In case you're not already privy, bootcut jeans are often mid-rise and are tight through the thigh. They begin to taper out below the knee to make way for, in theory, your boots. While traditionally you may think of bootcut jeans as being extra long, "they can be ankle length, full length, skinny bootcuts, or flares," Paige Adams-Geller, founder of Paige, shares with TZR. When determining what to style with your bootcuts, consider "a flowy top and heels or a silk cami and mules," Adams-Geller adds.

Continue ahead for outfit inspiration on how to style bootcut jeans right now and shop the latest arrivals from your favorite denim brands to stock up for the season.

Cropped Jeans + Sandals

Team a pair of slightly-cropped bootcut jeans with a crisp white blouse, trench coat, and strappy sandals; it's the perfect outfit to transition from summer to fall in.

Dark Denim + Boots

Give your outfit a '70s-inspired vibe by tucking a striped sweater into your bootcut denim and polishing off the look with patent leather boots.

Polished + Preppy

There's no going wrong with a plaid blazer and cropped bootcut combination. Finish off the look with a button-down shirt and croc-effect boots.

Cool Casuals

Keep it cool and cozy with a fleece pullover and bootcut denim this autumn. Rotate in a few cute accessories, like bold earrings and patent-leather shoes.

Warm Weather Uniform

If you live somewhere (like New York City) where it'll likely be October before temperatures cool down, consider the look above for the weeks ahead. Layer a blazer over a crop top and bootcut jeans and slip into breezy flip flops.

Classic Combination

There's a reason the T-shirt and blue jeans combination has stuck around for some many decades: It just works. Opt for a bootcut silhouette and slip into a pair of low-heel mules to finish.

Wondering what to wear with that gorgeous suede fringe jacket you splurged on? You guessed it: bootcut denim. The ensemble feels slightly western without making you look like an actual cowgirl.

Parisian Pairing

Go for a Parisian-inspired aesthetic and wear a striped sweater with bootcut denim in a dark wash. Finish the look with simple flats or sneakers. Voila, voila.

Off-Duty Equation

For a weekend outfit that works for errands, brunch, and beyond try a cropped cardigan with bootcut jeans and your favorite pair of clean white sneakers.

Edgy Denim

If denim-on-denim is your vibe, try something new and wear all-black separates like the look above. To finish: noir cowboy boots and a heavy-on-the-hardware belt.