MEMOIR
My Favorite Nostalgic Fashion Trend
I reminisce about the days when bootcut jeans were an effortless staple in my casual wardrobe
“I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity — all I hope for in my clothes.” — Yves Saint Laurent
The one style/trend I genuinely missed the last few years is the low-rise bootcut/bootleg jeans that were all the rage in the late 1990s and early aughts.
This jeans style was fitted through the hips, thighs, and knees, with a slight flare at the leg opening. In other words, the jeans billowed out slightly more than traditional straight-leg jeans. They were in the middle of a straight and a flare.
My style veers toward the classics, yet I also pride myself on keeping up with the latest trends and styles. The bootleg jeans make me nostalgic for times gone by.
My children were young, and life was an endless series of adventures; yet in many ways, things were much simpler as well.
The type of jeans I wore deviated little from either a classic straight leg or bootleg style. However, the leg shapes or cuts were slightly different.
I preferred the slim bootcut jeans and trouser jeans over the other cuts available. The trouser jeans were also bootcut but high-waisted with a classic trouser styling.
I owned multiple pairs of bootcut jeans in various washes and finishes. I preferred simple vintage-inspired washes with no distressing.
The dark blue wash was my favorite, followed closely by the black rinse. Smarter, dressier darker denim was simply a better option for my lifestyle. I was never a huge fan of the lighter washes as they looked too casual.
I used to live in bootleg jeans practically. They were not your typical Mom jeans either. They were flattering and trendy, yet comfortable enough to wear all day.
They were a wardrobe staple I could pair with various looks to achieve the perfect style. I would often pair them with a cute blouse and a blazer, and I was ready to go. Then, when the weather turned colder, I would pair them with a loose coat over the top.
And even though I am petite, they would make my legs look even trimmer and visually elongate them as they flared out at the hem. So I always wore them with a chunky heel, such as a wedge sandal or an ankle boot.
I would spend hours looking for the perfect-fitting jeans in those days. My go-to stores for denim shopping were The Limited and Express.
My sister gave me a great tip to try multiple pairs of jeans in the same size from the same store to find one I liked because they actually all fit differently. Also, the pairs seemed to vary in sizing and stitching quality.
As a self-proclaimed skinny girl, skinny jeans, jeggings, and tight-legged denim do not suit my frame. I am not a fan of the flared or loose-hanging jeans that are popular at the moment either. They are similar to bell-bottoms and look best on tall and curvy gals.
Final Thoughts
According to a recent article in Forbes, bootcut jeans are officially on-trend again. The new bootcut jeans are more tapered than the original bootcut styles. They fit well until the knees and then open up past your calf muscles.
Nostalgia works in cycles, so it was only a matter of time before my favorite style of denim made a comeback. I cannot wait to indulge in some retail therapy and purchase a new pair of my favorite bootcut jeans.
What is your favorite nostalgic fashion trend? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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