What is the difference between bootcut and flare jeans?

When Kendrick Lamar hit the stage at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, we had many pressing questions: What’s the difference between bootcut and flare jeans—and which style was he wearing? What does his “a” necklace stand for? Would he perform “Not Like Us?” And most urgently, where did he get those jeans? All questions were soon answered. (The logo for Lamar’s communication company pgLang, but it served as a nice double entendre for his lyric “a minoooor”).

These questions, however made me pause. Are flares bootcuts like a square is a rectangle? Kind of. Flares seem more clear-cut: hip- and thigh-hugging pants that dramatically kick out at the knee. Another noted fan of the look is Pharrell Williams, whose proclivity for the retro pants has made its way into his Louis Vuitton menswear.

Pharrell Williams in flare jeans.

Photo: Jacopo Raule / Getty Images

Bootcut jeans, however, seem to have some more leeway. They adopt a more straight-legged silhouette with a less exaggerated flare below the knee. Rather, they’re meant to accommodate a boot, not make a disco-inspired statement. While they can lean more bodycon, bootcut can also adopt a baggy form. Beloved by naughties royalty Beyoncé and Jennifer Aniston, they’ve found a new life in the 2020s, namely on models like Bella Hadid. (Given Hadid’s rodeo activities, it only makes sense she’d be into them.)

While people remain divided, Celine weighed into the debate, categorizing Kendrick Lamar’s light-wash denim as flares. So at least one case is settled.

This story first appeared on Vogue.com

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