The knuck is the latest fashion trend for wearing trousers with boots, and it involves tucking jeans into boots with a specific technique to avoid looking like a pirate. The term is a portmanteau of "knee" and "tuck," and it has been seen at autumn/winter fashion shows by Isabel Marant, Acne Studios, and Dries van Noten.
What Is the Knuck?
The knuck is where you tuck your jeans into your boots, a look that Sienna Miller popularized in the 2000s, Diana, Princess of Wales in the 1980s, and buccaneers in the 1650s. The key to achieving the knuck lies in how much of your jeans hangs over the top of your boots.
According to Grazia, which seems to have coined the term, "the sweet spot is a soft gather of fabric just above the boot shaft, rather than a perfectly smooth tuck or an enormous mound of material." If you tuck the whole trouser leg into your boots, you risk looking like a pirate, but tucking too little can make you look floppy.
Why the Knuck Matters
Grazia explains the aesthetic appeal: "Aesthetically, it gives denim a more considered silhouette, adding shape around the leg while letting your boots take centre stage." There is also a practical element, as applying the knuck before walking around a field will keep mud off your jeans.
The trend has taken centre stage at autumn/winter fashion shows, indicating its growing popularity. The knuck is expected to remain relevant for the season, with advice to master the technique quickly to avoid fashion missteps.
