The Heels & Jean Combo That's Celeb-Approved For Spring 2026
After years of dramatically oversized denim with baggy silhouettes, trends are swinging back toward a simpler style: bootcut jeans. This shape, which is known for having an elongating effect on the legs, features a narrow silhouette and soft flare. But, while this style might have been designed with boots in mind, that doesn't mean that picking shoes to pair with these pants is easy. After all, not all boots are created equal, and some shouldn't be worn with bootcut jeans.
Boots also definitely aren't your only footwear option. Model Bella Hadid just gave a master class in how to elevate this jean style with a pair of pumps. The key? Opt for a sharply pointed toe.
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The model is known to wear bootcut denim with a classically shaped stiletto, so that the tips of her heels peek out from beneath her hemline. Heels are a great option since the added height from her shoes, combined with the lengthening effect of the pants, creates a stunning vertical line and makes the already statuesque model look even more leggy and elegant. Where a rounded or square toe might blunt the look, or even get lost beneath the fabric, a pointed toe looks intentional and bold.
Elevate your bootcut jeans with a higher rise and sleeker shape
Modern bootcut jeans are all about subtlety, unlike the low-rise styles popular in the 2000s. "The right cut is slim with a bit of kick, rather than full-on flares or old-school bootcuts, which were more exaggerated," stylist Liz Teich told The Wall Street Journal. When considering the hottest denim trends for spring 2026, look for bootcut jeans with a higher rise and a more classic wash. Avoid signs of distressing, which is a once-popular denim trend that's totally outdated.
The beauty of the bootcut's less exaggerated shape is that this style can readily be updated to suit any decade. "I think a flattering pair of bootcut jeans is timeless if everything else is kept fresh," wrote one Reddit user. Don't be afraid to pair these jeans with more elevated pieces, like a pump or structured top, if you want to ensure your denim look feels on trend in 2026.