Boot Cut vs Flare: Difference and Comparison

With the evolution in fashion technology, there are now different options for choosing a pair of jeans. There are different types of jeans in the market, and consumers have a wider market to choose from. Even the jeans that were worn by the people of the 1960s or 1990s have made their demand throughout the generations of men and women.

Key Takeaways

  1. Bootcut jeans have a subtle flare from the knee to the hem, whereas flare jeans have a more pronounced flare starting at the knee.
  2. Boot-cut jeans work well with boots and balance out wider hips, while flare jeans create a retro look and elongate the legs.
  3. Flare jeans make a bolder fashion statement than the more versatile boot-cut jeans.

Boot Cut vs Flare

Boot cut pants or jeans have a straight cut from the waist to the knee, and then flare out slightly from the knee to the ankle. Flare pants or jeans have a tighter fit from the waist to the knee, then flare out dramatically from the knee to the ankle, and can be very flattering on some body types.

Boot Cut vs Flare

Bootcut jeans are like straight-leg jeans, but not entirely they fit through the hip and the thigh with a straight flare from knee to ankle. Bootcut jeans may vary as different manufacturers manufacture them and may come in different variations.  The leg opening is what makes them different from straight-leg jeans. The flare can range from 18 inches to 20 inches.

Flare-leg jeans can be called bell bottoms. It is a type of jeans that is wider from the knee down, forming a bell-shaped structure. The thigh fit is slim for women, and the bottom-legged-flare opening can vary from 21 inches to 27 inches.

Comparison Table

Parameters of comparisonBootcut JeansFlare Jeans
In which year did they come?Bootcut Jeans came in the 1960s. Flare jeans came in the 1990s.
StructureBootcut jeans flare out slightly from the knee to the ankle.Flare jeans flare out from the knee down to the hem.
Widening gapBootcut jeans have a slight opening gap from the knees to the ankle.Flare jeans have a greater widening gap from the knee to the hem.
Thigh FitBootcut jeans fit through the hip and thigh.They have a looser and wider fit.
Fit from knees to ankle.They are slightly flared from the knees to the ankle. They are much wider than bootcut jeans from the knees to the ankle.

What are Bootcut Jeans?

The term bootcut was first used at the end of the 1980s or the beginning of the 1990s. They were used to describe pants that were slightly flared.

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Bootcut jeans may have been originally early, but after all these years, they are still used by consumers.

Bootcut jeans are considered straight jeans, but they are different. Straight jeans are straight throughout the leg, while bootcut jeans fit nicely till the thigh, but then there is a flare around the knees to the hem, making them different from straight jeans. 

The flare of the bootcut jeans can range from 18 inches to 20 inches, and the fit may differ from every manufacturer.

The manufacturing of bootcut jeans may depend on different brands. For example, some brands may manufacture them to fit on the waist or low waist, or high waist.

The bootcut for men has a little less flare than the one for women.

Women wore bootcut jeans with heels or wedges, and wearing dark colors is recommended.

bootcut jeans

What are Flare Jeans?

Flare jeans came in the early 1960s, though there was a rumour that they were first worn by sailors in 1917. In the 1960s, they were called bell bottoms. The jeans were wider from the knees down, forming a bell shape.

They became popular again in the 1990s when the name changed to flared jeans.

The bell bottoms of the 1960s and the flare jeans of the 1990s had a difference. The bell bottoms were slightly loose from the thigh area while the flared jeans were more tight fighting from the thigh area and were flared from the knees to the hem.

The women’s flared jeans are a little bit loose on the hip and the thighs.

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The men’s flare jeans are fitted slim through the hip and the thigh, making them different from the women’s flared jeans.

Depending on the manufacturers of different brands, the flared jeans can be manufactured with either a moderate flare or an exaggerated flare.

flare jeans

Main Difference Between Bootcut Jeans and Flare Jeans

  1. The main difference between bootcut jeans and flare jeans is that bootcut jeans are tight from the thigh and have a slightly wider opening from the knee to the hem, while flare jeans are loosely fitted from the thigh and have a wider opening from the knees to the ankle.
  2. Bootcut jeans came in the 1960s, while the bell-bottoms, later called flared jeans, came in the 1990s.
  3. The flared jeans have a much wider opening than the bootcut jeans.
  4. Bootcut jeans can be called straight jeans, but they both differ when it comes to the wider opening, while flared jeans are called bell bottoms, but they also differ when it comes to the wider opening.
  5. Women wear heels or wedges with bootcut jeans, whereas ankle boots are preferred with flared jeans.
Difference Between Boot Cut and Flare
References
  1. https://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO200211921523932.page
  2. https://jadinti.uitm.edu.my/images/Volume23_Jul2019/Volume_23-1p1-6.pdf

Last Updated : 13 July, 2023

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11 thoughts on “Boot Cut vs Flare: Difference and Comparison”

  1. The article effectively highlights the unique characteristics of bootcut jeans and flare jeans. The information about women’s and men’s flare jeans was particularly insightful.

    Reply
    • I found the details about the manufacturing and fit of flare jeans to be very informative. It’s fascinating to see how various brands may create different styles within the same category.

      Reply
  2. The article offers a nuanced comparison between bootcut and flare jeans, highlighting the specific attributes of each style. The references to historical fashion trends add depth to the analysis.

    Reply
  3. This article provides a comprehensive understanding of bootcut and flare jeans, especially in terms of the historical origins and variations in fit. It’s a valuable resource for fashion enthusiasts.

    Reply
  4. The distinctions between bootcut and flare jeans are clearly articulated in this article, allowing readers to grasp the unique fashion elements associated with each style. It’s a great read for those interested in fashion history.

    Reply
  5. I appreciate the comprehensive comparison between bootcut jeans and flare jeans. It’s interesting to learn about the historical background and fashion trends associated with both of them.

    Reply
  6. The discussion is very detailed and informative. Each type of jean is described in-depth, ensuring that everyone can make the best choice for their personal style.

    Reply
  7. The detailed comparison table makes it easier to understand the key differences between bootcut and flare jeans. It’s a useful reference point for anyone looking to differentiate between the two styles.

    Reply
    • I agree, the comparison table provides a clear outline of the structural differences and essential features of bootcut and flare jeans.

      Reply
    • The historical background of bootcut and flare jeans was an interesting addition to the article. It adds a unique context to the fashion evolution of these two styles.

      Reply
  8. I appreciate the detailed descriptions of bootcut and flare jeans, as well as the emphasis on how these styles are worn with different footwear. It provides practical fashion advice for anyone seeking to style these jeans.

    Reply

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