After writing several posts about the best denim and shoe combinations for fall, today I’m summing up what shoes to wear with all types of jeans. I even created an infographic of sorts to make it easy to reference.
CLICK TO SHOP!If you’ve been struggling with what shoes to wear with all types of jeans this fall, this should help! It isn’t an exhaustive list of denim and shoe pairings, but it’s a good place to start.
What Shoes to Wear With Straight Leg Jeans
Frame Le High Straight // Franco Sarto Bridget Mules
Straight-leg jeans come in lots of variations, from relaxed and slouchy to sleek and slim-fit; and they can be cropped, ankle length, or full length.
Cropped and ankle length styles have been trending for the past few seasons, but full length styles and more relaxed fits are hitting the mainstream this year. First let’s talk about what shoes to wear with straight crop and straight ankle jeans.
Straight Crop & Straight Ankle Jeans
Crop straight and straight ankle jeans look great with retro fashion sneakers, classic or lug sole loafers and loafer mules, block heel mules, clogs, and ankle boots. It’s hard to find a shoe they don’t work with, but ankle boots can be a bit tricky.
Frame Le High Straight Ankle Jeans // Aquatalia Brigitte Luxe Bootie // rag & bone Retro Sneakers // Jeffrey Campbell Velviteen Bit Loafer
The key with pairing straight leg jeans and ankle boots is finding the right combination of denim length and width, and boot shaft height and width. You either want the jeans slide easily over the boots, or end right above the boot shaft so that you expose an inch of skin (or sock). If they’re too close, they will get hung up on the top of the boot and look janky.
HINT: A slim boot shaft works best when wearing the boots under the jeans. You can read more in my post,How to Wear Ankle Boots with Straight Leg Jeans.
Full Length Straight Leg Jeans
In my opinion, full length straight leg jeans look best with a bit of a heel, especially the more relaxed styles. They look really good with heeled ankle boots and clogs, and even a more delicate sandal during the warmer months.
AGOLDE Lana Vintage Straight Jeans // Sam Edelman Western Boots // Korks Arielle D’Orsay Clog // rag & bone Retro Sneakers
Relaxed, full length straight leg jeans with retro running sneakers is on trend at the moment, but it’s my opinion that ladies of a certain age run the risk of looking frumpy in that combo. The whole outfit must be styled in a current way to avoid looking frumpy or stuck in a rut, so that’s a look I’m steering clear of for now. Of course, that is subject to change at any time!
Okay, moving on to bootcuts and flares!
What Shoes to Wear with Bootcut & Flare Jeans
AG Farrah Bootcut // Marc Fisher Pointed Toe Bootie
Bootcut jeans and flares are pretty much interchangeable when it comes to shoe pairings, so I’ve lumped them together for the purposes of this post. Like straight leg jeans, bootcuts and flares come in crop, ankle, and full length styles. Let’s start with cropped and ankle length flares.
Demi Boot & Crop Flares
Cropped and ankle length bootcut jeans and flares are great for showing off your shoes and the slimmest part of the leg. Sometimes you will see these called demi bootorcrop bootcutorkick crop jeans.
Paige Claudine Ankle Flare // Paige Pointed Toe Bootie // Veja Esplar Sneaker // Steve Madden Pointed Toe Mule
When it comes to ankle length and crop flares, ankle boots are a great option, but you have to play around with the combination of inseam length and shaft height. Just like with straight crops, you don’t want your jeans getting hung up on the back of the boot.
Crop flares also look great with block heel mules, loafer mules, and all types of fashion sneakers. And clogs almost always work. These pairings look best when they allow some ankle to show.
Full Length Flares
Full length flares and bootcut jeans look best with a heel or a platform sole, and even better with a pointed toe heel. And clogs are a great option for a more casual vibe; plus they’re a big trend right now, which keeps your bootcut jeans looking more 2022 than 2002.
AG Farrah Bootcut // Michael Kors Slingback Heels // Mother Raw Hem Flares // Kork-Ease Darby Clogs // AG Farrah Bootcut // Marc Fisher Pointed Toe Bootie
If you decide to wear full length flares with flats, a pointy toe will look best. And no matter which style of shoe you choose to wear, be sure the jeans are hemmed or cut so they don’t drag on the floor.
I recommend avoiding sneakers and loafers with this style of jean, but do whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident!
What Shoes to Wear with Wide Leg Jeans
Spanx Wide Leg Pants // Seychelles Wood Heels
Wide leg jeans can be tricky to style, but they generally work best with a heel or platform. Or chunky loafers and platform sneakerslook great with them too. Basically, you want a chunkier style of shoe to balance this bold silhouette.
And finally, ifwe’re going to talk about what shoes to wear with all types of jeans, we can’t leave out the good old skinnies!
What Shoes to Wear With Skinny Jeans
AG Farrah Ankle Skinny Jeans // Marc Fisher Yale Chelsea Boot
While skinny jeans are on the downward slope of the trend cycle, you’ll still find them in stores because many women are still wearing them. If you love your skinnies, be sure to pair them with current tops and shoes to avoid looking dated.
In my opinion, skinny jeans look best (and more importantly, most current) with a lug sole Chelsea boot, retro sneakers, clogs, or chunky loafers… basically anything that is current and on trend. Also, a chunky profile will help balance the narrow silhouette.
AG Farrah Ankle Skinny jeans // Kork-Ease Darby Clogs // rag & bone Retro Sneakers // Sam Edelman Christy Loafer
I would steer clear of ballet flats, pumps, low split shaft booties, peep toe booties, and slim Converse. Even though those combinations work, they’re almost guaranteed to look dated because that’s how we wore them for so long.
In Summary
At the end of the day, you have to play around in your closet and try on different combinations to see what works best for you, but hopefully this helps you narrow down your options.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
- Women’s Pant Styles and Hem Lengths Demystified
- How to Wear Retro Sneakers Without Looking Frumpy
- What Shoes to Wear With Flares This Fall
- How to Wear Loafers and Flats with Straight Leg Jeans This Fall
- How to Wear Ankle Boots with Straight Leg Jeans
And if you want more info, see all my posts about 2022 Fall Trends!
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As an enthusiast and expert in the realm of fashion and style, I bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the intricacies of pairing denim and shoes. Having written extensively on the subject, I'll guide you through the nuances of selecting the perfect footwear for various types of jeans.
The article you've shared delves into the art of combining shoes with different styles of jeans. Let's break down the concepts and recommendations mentioned in the post:
1. Straight Leg Jeans:
- Recommended Shoes: Retro fashion sneakers, classic or lug sole loafers, loafer mules, block heel mules, clogs, and ankle boots.
- Tips: Pay attention to the combination of denim length and width with boot shaft height and width when pairing straight leg jeans with ankle boots.
2. Full Length Straight Leg Jeans:
- Recommended Shoes: Heeled ankle boots, clogs, and delicate sandals during warmer months.
- Trend Alert: Relaxed, full-length straight leg jeans with retro running sneakers are on-trend.
3. Bootcut & Flare Jeans:
- Cropped and Ankle Length:
- Recommended Shoes: Ankle boots, block heel mules, loafer mules, and various fashion sneakers.
- Full Length:
- Recommended Shoes: Heels or platform soles, pointed toe heels, and clogs for a casual vibe.
4. Wide Leg Jeans:
- Recommended Shoes: Heels, platform sneakers, chunky loafers, or any chunkier style to balance the bold silhouette.
5. Skinny Jeans:
- Recommended Shoes: Lug sole Chelsea boots, retro sneakers, clogs, or chunky loafers for a current and on-trend look.
- Caution: Avoid ballet flats, pumps, low split shaft booties, peep toe booties, and slim Converse to prevent a dated appearance.
Conclusion:
- Experiment in your closet to find what works best for you.
- Keep your skinny jeans current with trendy tops and shoes.
- Stay updated on 2022 Fall Trends.
Remember, fashion is an ever-evolving expression, and personal style plays a crucial role. The provided insights serve as a valuable guide, but ultimately, your individual preferences and comfort should dictate your choices. If you have any specific questions or need further guidance on denim and shoe pairings, feel free to ask!
