Shoes to wear with jeans

Finding the right pair of jeans is hard enough, but choosing the right shoes to go with them? Few wardrobe challenges are more frustrating. Are platforms too much? Are sneakers not enough?

Luckily, there are several shoe options to match any type of jeans, from skinny to wide-leg and everything in between. We created this handy reference to make it easy for you to find the perfect finish for your outfits. Here are the right shoes to wear with jeans, no matter what cut you choose:

Bootcut jeans

It’s in the name – boots are the perfect shoes to wear with bootcut jeans. And luckily for you, any type of boot will do – flat, heeled, ankle-length, knee-high. Women’s bootcut jeans are tight along the thigh and then flare out slightly – about an inch or two – providing room to accommodate your shoes.

Bootcut jeans are designed to have your shoe go beneath the material, not over top, so only the toe peeks out. This means they’re a great way to add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral outfit. These jeans can be worn with a bold red with a gray blouse and navy blazer to add some perk to your winter office wardrobe.

Despite their specific name, boot-cut jeans pair well with a wide variety of shoes beyond traditional heeled booties. Try them with heeled sandals, flat boots, or even toe pumps. Wear these jeans with a chic pair of flats for all-day comfort, or work this style with a pair of fall ankle boots.

Straight-leg and boyfriend jeans

Though these are technically two different styles, the appearance through the leg is similar enough that the same shoes work for both of them. Straight-leg jeans and boyfriend jeans fit somewhat close along the thigh but fall straight from the knees to the ankle. Their casual silhouette calls for a casual shoe, so straight-leg and boyfriend jeans are great with flatter options rather than heels or wedges.

That said, because these jean styles can be so relaxed – especially when they have rips and cutouts – you’ll want to choose a casual shoe with a bit of polish. Think single-color slip-on sneakers as opposed to running shoes. They’re just as comfortable but look a little sleeker. Alternatively, go for a business casual shoe if you’re heading into the office that day. Throw on a slouchy t-shirt and a slightly structured blazer or jean jacket to complete the “relaxed yet neat” theme.

Similarly, try embellished ballerina flats or sandals with beads or gemstones instead of plastic flip-flops. Add a cute blouse and a statement necklace that plays off your footwear, and you’ll radiate California casual.

Wide-leg jeans

If you want the least-restricting jeans possible, look for a pair with a wide-leg cut. These fall straight down from the hip instead of running close to the thigh, creating a fun, easy look that works with a variety of footwear.

From ballet flat to platform, from sneaker to high heels, wide-leg jeans are easy to dress up or down. Wear them with colorful slides in the spring and summer or a pair of muted oxfords in the fall and winter. To keep yourself balanced, finish with a close-fitting top that shows off your curves.

Flare and bellbottom jeans

These are essentially the same type of jean, but clothing companies sometimes name their styles one over the other. Tight along the thighs and flaring out from the knees down, they became very popular in the 1960s and again in the 90s.

Bell-bottom pants aren’t just for the disco anymore. They are right on-trend in today’s fashion world, but you have to pair them with the appropriate footwear to create a coordinating ensemble. It’s important to strike a balance with the width of the shoe. So, avoid wide clogs or narrow pointed-toe footwear to create equilibrium in your look.

Flared jeans are great for adding height and making your legs look longer, so they need a shoe to match. When it comes to choosing outfits with jeans and heels, you’ve got a lot of options at your disposal. Go for classy stiletto pumps for an upscale look, or play up the hippie/boho style with bellbottom jeans and wedges made of wooden or beige materials. In fact, chunky heels are great for this style of jean, adding height without making it hard to walk.

Depending on where the flare starts on the jean, you may be able to wear calf-high boots, which are right in tune with the fall season. With this hem, it’s important that the jean falls evenly over the boot, so only wear taller footwear if the flare starts between just below the knee and mid-way up the shin. Otherwise, you can pair these pants with high-heeled pumps for a weekend look or a comfortable ankle boot for casual Friday at work.

If you prefer comfort above all, keep the freedom-loving look with braided hemp sandals. Beading on this type of shoe also plays up the boho theme.

Skinny jeans

What was unthinkable in the 90s has now become a fashion staple, and these days, every woman has a pair of skinny jeans in her closet. Thankfully, their popularity has made them incredibly versatile, so you can wear skinny jeans with just about any type of shoe. Characterized by a tight, slim fit from leg to ankle, skinny jeans are also referred to as cigarette or tapered jeans.

The narrow hemline of skinny jeans gives women a lot of freedom when it comes to footwear. In fact, these are great bottoms for when you’re trying to show off a cute new pair of shoes, as the close fit of the hemline will highlight your footwear.

Now, skinnies are arguably the most adaptable pants around. Wondering what goes with red shoes? How about a pair of black skinny jeans? Have a wedge ankle boot you don’t know what to wear with? Try skinnies in a light wash with frayed ankles.

For a weekend look, wear skinny jeans with a colorful pair of pumps. The stand-out shoe will look great for a night out on the town. On the other hand, if you’re aiming to achieve a more subtle look, you can easily wear a fun pair of flats or knee-high boots with these pants, too. The legline molds to the shape of your body, allowing these pants to easily slip into taller boots. This way, the bottom of the jeans won’t drag on the ground, even while wearing a shoe without a heel.

High-waisted jeans

Never say never! Who would have thought the “mom pants” of the 1970 and the teenie-boppers choice in the late-80s and early-90s would ever come back? Not only are they back, but they have become the most popular woman’s jean style of the 2020s!

For a chic, casual look, high-waisted jeans pair particularly well with a sneaker or strappy sandal. For a sleeker, more fashionable outfit, pull out an elevated wedge or pumps.

Choosing the right color shoe

In terms of wardrobe, denim is generally thought of as a neutral color. This means it technically matches any hue, though as always, some choices will look better than others.

Take white jeans, for example. These are great with lighter-color shoes like taupes, camels, and even pastels. Black jeans, on the other hand, are best with black shoes or those in deep rich colors, like mauve, plum and cobalt.

With natural-colored jeans, wash is very important. Lighter washes appear more casual, while dark washes are a bit more sophisticated. This isn’t to say you can’t wear an evening pump with light jeans, but the cut needs to be appropriate and the fit must be perfect.

That said, a general rule of thumb is that casual shoes like sneakers and combat boots are best with light washes, while dark washes call for more elegant or professional footwear.

Jeans are one of the most versatile articles of clothing around, meaning it’s that much harder to find the right shoe to wear with them. Use this guide if you’re ever stuck, and leave a comment about your favorite jeans+shoe pairing!

Learn how to match shoe color with any outfit