Skinny jeans are back, but if you’re not on board just yet, let me introduce you to the 2026 denim trend Gen Z‘s It girls are reaching for instead. Bootcut jeans are the Gen Z answer to effortlessly chic outfits in 2026. The slim-flare cut instantly upgrades a boring white T-shirt and jeans into an indie-chic look that’s ready to grace the cover of Charli XCX’s next album.
Fashion people, such as Bella Hadid and Margot Robbie, have embraced the dated denim trend, styling it with fellow indie-grunge icons: graphic tees, Napoleon jackets (a hot-ticket item on Gen Z’s 2026 fashion wish list), pointed-toe boots, faux-fur jackets, and more.
I found five Gen Z–coded bootcut-jeans outfits to wear in 2026. Included are the top shoes to wear with bootcut jeans (spoiler: moto boots and white trainers are in the lead) and the best bootcut jeans from denim-lover favourites like Levi’s, Agolde, and Reformation. Sure, cigarette jeans are cute, but if you want my Gen Z–editor opinion, slim flares are so much better. Shop the trend and see how to style bootcut jeans below. Scroll for inspiration.
5 Effortlessly Chic Bootcut-Jeans Outfits
1. Faux-Fur Jacket + Bootcut Jeans + Biker Boots
Style Notes: Compound on the inherent indie sleaze appeal of low-rise bootcut jeans with a hiked-up graphic tee, a fluffy faux-fur jacket, Jackie Onassis–inspired sunglasses, a thick belt, and chunky boots to ground the look.
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