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Style Advice with Omeed Mazaheri

Men’s Bootcut Jeans for Beginners, Shoe Solemates & More

Style / 
July 2021

A couple different photos, a man standing against a wall wearing all black, a man standing wearing all denim, a black and white close up shot of a shirt and jacket, and a photo of a man of a man leaning against a building wearing all blackA couple different photos, a man standing against a wall wearing all black, a man standing wearing all denim, a black and white close up shot of a shirt and jacket, and a photo of a man of a man leaning against a building wearing all black

Cool. Confident. And oozing with style. You don’t have to know Omeed Mazaheri for more than two seconds to know he’s all of these things and then some. What you might not guess is that this Los Angeles-based model, photographer and art director grew up hiding behind the lens in small-town Fort Smith, Arkansas, feeling insecure and out of place but harboring a major obsession with early-aughts fashion magazines. So how did Omeed become the rocker god we know today? Same way you can—it’s called trial and error, and we’re big fans.

“Whenever you have more options to play with in your wardrobe, it’s going to lead to stylistic growth,” he says. “As long as you get to experiment and expand, then that’s how you’re going to find your own perspective.”

All things considered, it should come as no surprise why we chose Omeed to rep our new So High Jeans. And after weeks of living in them, here’s what he has to say about working them into your current closet, dressing them up and down, even what shoes to wear with which jeans.

Someone smiling walking down the street wearing a gold sweatshirt with a tan overcoat and blue jeans

You have epic style. Any quick outfit-building tips for those of us less well-versed?

It’s important to have a diversified denim collection, because there’s a separate wearing occasion for every pair of jeans. We all have our favorite style, but everybody needs a pair of slim fit jeans and a pair of bootcut jeans in their wardrobe. When I get dressed, I think about my whole look from top to bottom and I know my fits, like which cuts go with which shoes. For example, in my experience, when you wear a pair of heeled boots with slim-cut pants, the proportions are just off. So respectively, for all the different fits, I have different go-to shoe styles that I know work together. And that makes it really easy to build my looks, even when I don’t have a ton of time to curate my outfit.

Ugh...the great shoe dilemma! Which goes with what?

For me, slim-cut trousers are more of a casual silhouette. There’s something about a high-top sneaker—like a Converse—that suits a slim cut so well, especially when the inseam is just right. There’s something really satisfying about the way the cuff lays perfectly on the shoe. Loafers and lace-up boots are my other safeties for slimmer pants. I’d say all three work with straight leg jeans, too.

For bootcuts...I mean, whoever named them “bootcuts” knew what they were doing because bootcuts were made to be worn with boots—especially heeled boots, which together make your legs look longer. And yeah, I wear my high-top Chucks with everything. Bootcuts are no exception.

Someone trying on different shoes

High-waisted pants will always be universally flattering, because they tuck the tummy and streamline your shape.

A close up shot of jeans and a purple scarf and someone sitting in a chair wearing a leather jacket and jeansA close up shot of jeans and a purple scarf and someone sitting in a chair wearing a leather jacket and jeans

You seem really comfortable styling bootcut jeans.

As somebody who religiously wears flared trousers, I was really excited when your team reached out about the So High. Like I said, bootcuts really elongate your legs, especially when they’re paired with a heeled boot or another narrow shoe profile and there’s so much room for being playful. I love wearing them with bandannas and trucker hats. I’m a really big fan of ’70s fashion and Americana—it feels super-duper chill and men's bootcut jeans are really comfortable.

Can everybody pull off bootcuts?

Both high waists and bootcut legs work with all kinds of body types and styles. I know some people may be apprehensive when it comes to wearing a bootcut or high-waisted pair of trousers because within menswear, it’s kind of outside of the standard, which I’m very familiar with. I grew up in Arkansas and I know how strict and rigid that world is. But there’s so much utility in high waisted bootcut jeans styles. High-waisted pants will always be universally flattering, because they kind of tuck in the tummy and streamline your shape.

And then the great thing about bootcuts is the way the legs fall. The way they’re cut draws the eye down. People tend to attach bootcuts and high-waisted pants to Western or retro ’70s style, but they can be worn with so much more. I think there’s plenty of space for them within smart streetwear and classic menswear.

Another sometimes-intimidating look is the world-famous Canadian tuxedo. Are you yea or nay?

So, since slim styles are inherently a bit more casual, a Canadian tuxedo is a great way to dress them up. For me, I need the denim washes to match or at least be really close in color. There’s something a little distracting about light versus medium, but if you can pull it off, more power to you!

Someone wearing all denim

Any final words for us today?

I hope you enjoyed my podcast [laughter]. I really enjoyed speaking to you and I hope you all get your hands on a pair of So High Jeans and enjoy them as much as I enjoy mine

See more from Omeed when you follow us on Instagram. Then tag @levis and #LiveInLevis to share your Levi’s® style with the world.