How To Match Jeans With Different Shoe Colors: a Visual Coordination Guide (2024)

Matching Shoes With Jeans Overview

How To Match Jeans With Different Shoe Colors: a Visual Coordination Guide (1)Many blogs like ours are dedicated to tailored menswear, and the lion’s share of our focus is certainlyon that subject.

We also pride ourselves on having a real-world sensibility, and in the real world, men wear jeans frequently. They’re ubiquitous, often inexpensive, sometimes comically expensive, and here to stay. Icons of Men’s Stylehas an entire chapter dedicated to denim.

As men can often wear these to the office nowadays, it’s important to know how to pair shoes with them. For the purposes of this article, we are referring to blue jeans: that range of washes ranging from light to dark, but still blue.

There are many other colors on the market and we’d be happy to answer any questions you leave in the comments section below.

How To Match Jeans With Different Shoe Colors: a Visual Coordination Guide (2)NOTE: There are exceptions to every rule.
Use your good judgement, and feel free to leave us a comment if you have questions!

Read on for full explanations and reasoning of the above coordination suggestions. Or, click here to go see our Ultimate Shoe & Trouser Color Coordination Matrix showcasing how to match any color shoes with any color trousers.

How To Coordinate Jeans With Different Shoes

Best Shoe Matches

Beige

During the summertime, one of my favorite personal combinations is a pair of medium-light jeans with suede beige bluchers (the color is referred to as “milkshake”). This looks particularly good with no-show socks and a simple shirt.

Black

If you’re going to wear black shoes with jeans, we recommend that the jeans be dark. Light denim will take to black shoes, but a lighter-colored shoe will work better. Also, keep this combination to the evening hours.

Burgundy

If we’re talking about burgundy dress shoes, keep the denim dark. If we’re talking about a more casual shoe, you can wear a lighter shade of blue jean. Either way, this color combination is extremely handsome.

Dark Brown

How To Match Jeans With Different Shoe Colors: a Visual Coordination Guide (3)

Follow the same rule as above with burgundy shoes. Dark brown shoes function similarly and offer the same level of refinement.

Green

Green shoes are available in dress lastsand casual lasts. If your denim is well-tailored and dark, feel free to put on some loden green dressier shoes. If it’s lighter and more casual, throw on some green drivers in a lighter shade.

Grey

Grey shoes look gorgeous with darker denim. It gets a little washed out with lighter denim, though, so be selective about the jeans you pick.

Light Brown

Jeans with light brown shoes is one of my personal favorite things to wear. It works best in warmer weather, especially if it’s a more casual shoe. With that said, light brown dress shoes absolutely shine with darker denim.

How To Match Jeans With Different Shoe Colors: a Visual Coordination Guide (4)

Orange

If it’s a burnt orange or sienna, they’ll work similarly to light brown shoes with jeans. If it’s a brighter orange, make it a casual shoe and keep the rest of the outfit reasonably simple in terms of color.

Purple

Purple shoes with jeans is a great combination. It works particularly well with a lighter-colored denim, but dark jeans can take well to deeper purples. You’d be wise to throw a purple accessory or two in there for some continuity.

Red

Red shoes will be inherently casual, think boat shoes, drivers, and the like. Keep the jeans casualby selecting a lighter wash, and don’t overdress on top. Driving shoes with ties are not necessarily bad, but it’s easy to miss the mark.

White

Like many of these colorful combinations, white shoes are for warm weather only. They will pop like crazy against dark denim (a fun look) and provide an unorthodox backdrop for lighter jeans.

That said, don’t wear white “dad” sneakers, even if you’re an actual dad.

Acceptable Shoe Matches

Navy

Navy shoes are the one color you need to really be careful about with jeans. Dark blue shoes require a lighter denim to truly work, so keep that in mind when making your selections.

No-Go Shoe Matches

Nothing is off limits with jeans as far as we’re concerned.

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How To Match Jeans With Different Shoe Colors: a Visual Coordination Guide (5)

What Next?

Now that you have read about the how to match jeans with shoes, check out some related guides below:

Shoe & Jeans Color Coordination Guide

Reviewed by Herman I., on .

"Superb guide for jeans! I couldn't find one that was as specific as this guide. Thanks for taking the time to do this."

Rating: 5.0 ★★★★★

How To Match Jeans With Different Shoe Colors: a Visual Coordination Guide (2024)

FAQs

How do you color coordinate shoes? ›

Wear contrasting colors
  1. Red shoes: pink, orange, black and white, neutrals, navy.
  2. Orange shoes: blue, white, earth tones, red, yellow.
  3. Yellow shoes: blues, black and white, green.
  4. Green shoes: brown, black, blue, neutrals, yellow.
  5. Blue shoes: yellow, neutrals, brown, white, green.

What color shoes to wear with jeans? ›

Shoes to Pair with Dark Denim

Raw denim is dark and they look great when they are paired with dark coloured footwear such as black, brown, and burgundy. Raw denim also works well neutral-coloured shoes.

Do shoes need to match pants? ›

Always wear shoes that are close in color to your pants, especially if you have big feet.” London: Wearing shoes that are exactly the same color as your pants is about as exciting as watching paint dry.

How do you coordinate clothes by color? ›

Color Coordinate Each Type of Clothing

"Follow the general rainbow of ROYGBIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet), adding in brown, white, grey, and black, too," Trager says. "Hang from one side of your closet rod to the other. When you get to the next section of clothes, start the rainbow over.

What shoe color matches with everything? ›

Neutral-hued shoes are fantastic because they go with anything, including all colors, patterns, and prints. In this case, it's best to stick to basics like black, white, cream, beige, brown, and gray, or switch things up and choose navy, which, yes, is considered neutral, too. Why are neutral colors best for traveling?

Can I wear jeans and black shoes? ›

Yes, the blue jeans and black shoes formula can make even your freakiest fashion fantasies come true. To wit: Why not pair your wackiest denim with your gaudiest slip-ons?

Do blue jeans go with blue shoes? ›

If you're wearing a pair of blue denim jeans with your blue shoes, you should be fine, but could still benefit from a blue accessory just to keep it cohesive. If your outfit doesn't have any blue but the shoes, you definitely need to grab yourself some sort of accessory.

Should shoes be darker or lighter than pants? ›

Color Rules for Shoes, Socks, and Belt

Your shoes should be darker than your pants. The darker your suit, the darker your shoes. This simple rule will keep your choice appropriate for formal, business, and casual outfits.

Are black shoes OK with blue pants? ›

Of course! There's nothing more classic than a pair of blue or navy pants styled with black shoes. Blue pants are classic, black shoes are classic, and when brought together the two create a refined, polished look.

What color shoes should you wear with blue pants? ›

Probably the most common shoe pairing for blue trousers, light brown shoes are a killer complement. The outfit possibilities are endless with this combination, so try this out of you want to have some fun with your shirt and accessories.

What color combos best with jeans? ›

What Colors Go With Denim?: The Best Combinations
  • Blue and white are always a classic denim combination. ...
  • Black and denim are timeless looks you can dress up or down. ...
  • Grey and denim are perfect for a more modern look. ...
  • Khaki and denim are great for a relaxed, casual vibe.

Does any color go with jeans? ›

Recommended Colours: White, black, grey, pastel shades, primary hues, camel.

Do grey shoes look good with blue jeans? ›

Blue. A medium blue trouser will work well with a grey shoe for the same reason that navy does. If this lighter trouser is a chino or other casual pant, try a grey driving loafer or derby. No matter what style you choose, this color combination is unorthodox and very, very smart.

How do you sort clothes with multiple colors? ›

Sort Clothes by Color

Clothes with deep colors are more likely to bleed dye when washed. To avoid damaging other clothing, sort laundry according to color, grouping dark, medium and light colors separately. Wash deep colored clothing like indigo jeans or red sweatshirts by themselves for the first few washings.

What order should colors go in? ›

When organizing by color, look to the rainbow. "Start with white, cream, pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, brown, gray, and black," says Melanie Walker, the owner of NEAT Method. There are some other hues that are harder to place when working on the ROYGBIV system, like gold and silver.

What does wearing different color shoes mean? ›

The day was first celebrated in 2009 as a way to recognize and celebrate human diversity. On this day, you should put a different colored shoe on each foot just to show your acceptance of our differences as humans.

Do your shoes have to match your outfit? ›

If your shoes don't fit well but match your outfit, then there's no point in wearing them if you're going to walk like a duck, will it now? Do go with contrasting colors. For instance, if you're wearing an all-black outfit, then let your shoes shine with a contrasting color to create some needed originality.

What shoes match all clothes? ›

White Sneakers

White sneakers are in almost everyone's closets because they literally match anything and are incredibly comfortable to wear. If you're going to be out on a day where you're doing a lot of walking but don't want to wear sports shoes, white sneakers are the best.

Do jeans go over or under shoes? ›

It depends on the style of the jeans and the boots. If you are wearing skinny jeans, they will look best tucked into your boots. If you are wearing looser fitting jeans, you can leave them untucked. It depends on the style of the jeans and the boots.

Where should jeans fall with sneakers? ›

Athletic Shoes

With your Converse, Keds, and Nikes, wear jeans rolled to a few inches above the ankle or sweeping the tops of your laces.

What jeans go best with sneakers? ›

Which Shoes Look Best with Jeans? Sneakers: Pair high-tops with skinny jeans for a laid-back look, or opt for a low-profile shoe with straight leg jeans. A pair of chunky-soled, white sneakers look trendy with distressed denim, while a rubber sole, cap-toe sneaker often pairs well with black jeans.

Is it OK to wear brown shoes with black jeans? ›

Getting away with black pants and brown shoes boils down to one word: contrast. Your shoes should be noticeably lighter than your black (or really dark) pants. While black shoes and pants are a must for formal attire (think black tie events and business formal suits), brown shoes with black pants are fair game.

What color jeans go best with black shoes? ›

Black. If you're going to wear black shoes with jeans, we recommend that the jeans be dark. Light denim will take to black shoes, but a lighter-colored shoe will work better. Also, keep this combination to the evening hours.

Do white or black shoes go better with jeans? ›

As a rule of thumb, it's best to stick to dark colours – you're aiming for subtle, not jarring. Colours like burgundy, dark brown, dark green and, of course, black, will all work nicely. An exception to this rule is white minimalist sneakers, which will always perfectly complement slim-cut black jeans.

Can you wear beige shoes with blue jeans? ›

Jeans. Theoretically any wash of denim will do, but our preference is to go with a lighter shade when you're wearing beige shoes. When both articles are light in color, you get a harmonious pairing that looks great.

Can I wear brown shoes with blue jeans? ›

Brown shoes and blue jeans are a mutual match given their neutral coloring, so don't think twice about wearing the two together. Add a white or navy knit tee or Oxford or bring in some seasonal color with a printed button-up or fall-inspired polo.

Do blue jeans go with purple shoes? ›

Purple shoes and jeans will work in just about any casual context. Throw on some well-coordinated accessories, or keep the rest of the outfit simple and let the shoes steal the show.

What color shoes make you look skinnier? ›

Black never fails to make you look slim and elegant. Darker shades of colors like blue, purple and brown can also help to hide flaws and create a slimming illusion. On the other hand, lighter colors, like white and khaki, can add pounds and give the illusion of a larger frame.

What color shoes are most attractive? ›

Here are some of the best Colors for shoes to look attractive:
  • Yellow.
  • Green.
  • Blue.
  • Purple.
  • Tan.
  • White.
  • Orange.
  • Brown.

Can you wear black pants and light shoes? ›

If you wear black pants, avoid brown shoes that are almost black. Instead, you should opt for medium-browns or lighter shades. Additionally, you should avoid brown shoes that are too light as they will not look good with black, so stay away from white shoes with a brown tint to them or tan boots.

Is it okay to wear black shoes with black pants? ›

Rules To Consider While Pairing Shoes With Black Pants

Black, brown, and oxblood are the most preferred hues to pair with black pants. Black pants, paired with the appropriate shoes, may be worn for any occasion, whether it's a relaxed day out with friends or selecting an outfit for professional business party.

Can I wear brown shoes with a blue shirt and black pants? ›

Although navy is a good choice for black pants, you can also opt for different shades of blue to fit with your style preferences. By selecting a blue or white shirt, black pants and brown shoes may fit well as a style choice. It makes your decision to wear lighter shades of brown shoes appear intentional.

Is it OK to wear same color pants and shoes? ›

Shoes shouldn't match your shirt or pants, but they should complement them. For example, a pair of black or brown shoes look great with a navy suit — whereas a black suit should only be worn with black shoes.

Is it okay to wear brown shoes with navy blue pants? ›

Light brown is an acceptable color shoe to wear with navy trousers, though our preference is for a darker brown. Your navy trousers will still look good with these shoes, just make sure your belt or suspenders coordinate well.

Can I wear red shoes with blue pants? ›

Dark navy dress trousers will not work well with red shoes. As you can see above, though, casual blue trousers will, and if it's not a near-black navy, you're in the clear.

Do khaki pants go with blue shoes? ›

When wearing khaki pants, there are five shoe colors you should consider. Dark brown, dark blue (navy), white, burgundy, and patterned shoes all work well with khaki pants.

What markers do you use to color shoes? ›

Sharpie. Sharpie can be used on almost any surface and is alcohol based. This american classic is available in many shapes and sizes. A very handy marker that you can use on fabric or leather without having to do something else to make it permanent, the pen is permanent in itself.

What do you use to color shoes? ›

The answer is simple: you can use acrylic paint on sneakers. Acrylic paint can actually be an excellent choice for sneakers because it isn't as water-soluble as other conventional paints, and it tends to stay put, which means that you won't have to worry about messing up your shoes with paint.

Are fabric markers good for shoes? ›

If you would like to paint shoes that are not leather, fabric markers such as Fabrico Dual Tip Fabric Markers and Molotow Markers work well for alternative materials such as suede, canvas shoes or vinyl shoes.

Do chalk markers work on shoes? ›

Note that chalk markers will work best on the cloth part of your shoes.

What is the best paint to draw on shoes? ›

Nova Color Acrylic Paints — Best Paint to Use on Sneakers

And when it comes to painting sneakers, there's no better paint than Nova Color Acrylic Paints. Nova Color is a professional-grade line of acrylic paint manufactured in the USA, made from the finest raw materials available.

Can you customize shoes with markers? ›

Paint markers are usually a very good option for customized sneaker projects. These can be found at your local art supply store or online. If you go to an art supply shop you can usually test the paint markers before you buy them.

What kind of paint do you use on jeans? ›

Acrylic paint is going to be your best bet. Keep in mind, though, that low-quality paint brands contain a lot of filler, which may cause the paint to crack after it dries on the denim. Quality acrylic paint is made with just pigment and resin, which will make your painted designs more permanent.

Can you paint shoes with water color? ›

Watercolors are perfect for blending and mixing colors to create a one of a kind shoe masterpiece.

Will Sharpie rub off shoes? ›

Rubbing alcohol works well for removing Sharpie stains from rubber shoes. Here's how to use it: Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball or swab. Rub the cotton ball or swab onto the Sharpie stain.

Does Sharpie run on clothes? ›

Sharpie markers adhere to fabric well but might bleed. Using the right method, Sharpie designs on fabric will last for years to come. Drawing on shirts, book bags and other fabric items with colorful markers personalizes and decorates them.

Does Sharpie come off white shoes? ›

Take your shoes to the bathroom and grab some rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, and a clean cloth. Using a cotton swab, dab rubbing alcohol onto the area with the marker stain. Add some water to your cleaning cloth and then dab the same area to remove any remaining rubbing alcohol.

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