Day #02 Bell Bottoms {Boot Cut Jeans}

 Day #02 Bell Bottoms {Boot Cut Jeans}

Bell bottoms, flared pants, boot cut jeans. You give it a name, I'll talk about it at length and annoy everyone! As a teenager of the early 2010s it was hard to dress outside the box, the box being very tight and fitted skinny jeans circa. 2009-2015. It's not cool to hate on what others like or on your past self, so I'm not here to trash skinny jeans. Many people still like them and I can respect that. But I also realized that me and skinny jeans are just not meant to be. Me and boot cut jeans, on the other hand...

One of my first experiences with the boot cut was when I was still very young. Our class had to sing ABBA's Dancing Queen for a talent show and my aunt got me dressed up in 'vintage' dress. Really these were her boot cut jeans that had a resurgence in the 2000s, a dressy top, a braided headband, and big, ombre sunglasses. I looked pretty awesome but soon enough the boot cut would go out of style. They wouldn't be at the shops, the cool kids weren't wearing them. The 20 year cycle rears it head right on schedule.

Still, that one moment of dancing and clapping on stage, with the satisfying swoosh of the flare was now cemented in my being. Sometime 3 years ago, when the 2000s were back on everyone's minds, I saw a pair of light denim boot cuts and something in me broke. I needed a pair. 

I can't say I'm a collector but I currently have 4 pairs which is probably at least 2 too many. They're fun to style, they're easy to wear, and I cannot resist the silhouette they produce. So, where did they come from?

The Origins

Bell bottoms or boot cuts are defined by a tighter fit in the upper part of the pants and a wider flare below the knee to the ankle. So, this exact pattern is actually ancient largely due to it's utility. The modern rendition has roots in the navy, with 19th century sailor pants being described as having 'bell bottoms'.

The Popularity 

The jeans variant of the boot cut grows prominent in the 1960s, first for it's comfort for rodeo riders. Soon enough, it's a fashion statement, it's unisex, it's everywhere. A lot of the 1970s popularity is attributed to Sonny and Cher who would be wearing them on television. Television and celebrity will be a recurring source of fashion inspiration throughout my blog. As early as the 1970s, the bell bottoms were often paired with Chelsea boots or platform shoes to further elongate the curious silhouette. This is something I still really like and how I style my boot cut jeans.

The rise of punk-rock in the late 1970s popularized tighter fit jeans and soon enough the bell-bottoms were left behind. However, the flare was not limited to the mainstream in it's next resurgence.

The Return

The 1990s signaled a return of the style, partially in a direct nod to the vintage coordination but also as an updated version suitable for the 90s. Here they actually start to be called boot-cut instead of bell bottoms. The materials were never limited to denim only and this is true for this decade as well. Here are the Stone Roses:

The boot cut stayed strong for nearly a decade but by the time of the mid-2000s skinny jeans were back in. The 2000s boot-cut was also more frequently low-waist. The impact of celebrities was fundamental to it's popularity. The silhouette was not solely found in the mainstream fashion scene and was seen in alternative styles too.

The Return 2: Electric Boogaloo

I'm sure you're well-aware that the boot-cut has been back since the late 2010s. It has officially been nearly 20 years since they were last popular, or perhaps it was even less time due to the hyper-active trend cycle of fast fashion and social media. Either way, they will not go out of style for me ever again.

The modern presentation is quite loyal to the version of the 2000s, though perhaps it interprets the trend in an idealistic manner. Certain faux-pas notions of the past are ignored by bigger names while others wholly absorb the aged influences. Many denounce the dress over jeans combo but I personally love it and it seems to still be prevalent online.

I think that due to it's versatility and comfort, the boot cut will remain in the public eye for a while longer. Take for example the recent discussion over Kendrick Lamar's outfit to the Superbowl. I will keep wearing them regardless.

Now, let's talk a bit about my favourite ways to style a pair of boot-cut jeans:

Sporty

More casual, a direct reference to the popular wear of the jeans directly from the 70s and 90s. This method pairs the jeans with a tight-fitted or cropped t-shirt, a slim track jacket, and platform or flat sport shoes and sneakers. It's an easy go to and has a level of cool that is pretty effortless.  

Girly

Another nod to the past but perhaps more subtle. This hippie, bohemian installation pairs tunics, long-sleeved and flowy tops or even dresses with lighter or more nature-coloured jeans. Foot wear can range from mary janes to boots but should evoke a laid-back and softer vision. There is more accessories and even more variety in silhouettes.

Witchy

This style can be categorized as Fairycore and likely is by many. You are more likely to see torn jeans in darker browns, blacks, greys, blues, and greens. There is significant layering and unique texture. This is often tattered, torn, or otherwise distressed materials. The style is not explicitly gothic or punk but some details such cross necklaces, straps, and chokers evoke a similar mood. The colour palette is significantly muted and even splashes of colour are rare. I really love alternative styles but do not commit to any one completely so what I love most is outfits that are able to uniquely incorporate features of subcultures in their essence.

These are not defined and strict categories, don't worry about labels and aesthetics when making your own outfit. If you like and if you're trying something new and fun, go for it. It doesn't matter what you or others call it, in the end it's all just marketing ploys and micro-trends.

On a personal note, I have not been keeping up with the challenge because I wanted to also style and photograph outfits with each entry. I just cannot keep up with that while I also have to write them and do so much life stuff. So I decided to just write about my favorite fashion pieces, elements, and trends this year. Next year I will probably return to these analyses and coordinate some outfits to reflect my passion for these things. So, wish me luck catching up!