Are you wondering what shoes to wear with different cuts of jeans for men? Jeans are a staple in any man's wardrobe, but it can be tricky to figure out which type of shoe to pair with them. We've put together a guide to help you find the perfect shoes to wear with different cuts of jeans so you'll always look your best. Read on to learn more!
Jeans have been a staple in men’s wardrobes for years, they come in many different shapes, sizes, cuts, and colors, making them the perfect go-to piece of clothing for any occasion. While it may seem simple to create the ideal look by throwing just any pair of jeans and shoes together, there is an art to creating the perfect look by pairing different cuts of jeans with an array of shoe choices.
But creating the perfect look with jeans can sometimes be a bit tricky. It's not just about throwing on any old pair of jeans and shoes and calling it a day. You have to take into account the different cuts of jeans and how they pair with various shoe choices. yYou’re in the right place to learn how to up your fashion game.
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Pick Your Occasion
First and foremost, you need to know the occasion you’re creating your look for. Remember, jeans aren’t just for casual occasions, they can be transformed into casual, smart casual (or semi-formal), or dressy.
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Casual
A casual look with jeans is the perfect opportunity to reach for your tried-and-true boot cut jeans and a pair of comfortable sneakers. Casual looks don’t call for much attention to detail, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look put together while relaxing with friends.
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Smart Casual (Semi-Formal)
A smart casual, or semi-formal look is perfect for most occasions you may find yourself in throughout the day. From hanging with friends to a first date, smart-casual can be achieved by pairing some straight-legged jeans, loafers or boat shoes, and a casual collared t-shirt.
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Dressy (Formal)
While most formal attire calls for a suit jacket and trousers, if you hate the trouser look, you can still create the perfect dressy outfit by pairing slim-fitting or straight-legged jeans in a dark wash with suede or leather dress shoes and a blazer.
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Different Jean Cuts and Their Perfect Shoe Matches
Now that you have the perfect occasion in mind, it’s now time to start thinking about the different cuts and colors of jeans that can serve as the perfect foundation for your outfit. While these serve as a great guide on how to pair shoes with their perfect jean counterpart, you should never be afraid to mix-and-match until you are happy with your look.
Slim Jeans
Slim Jeans are a staple in any wardrobe; they have become an insanely popular cut of jeans for men over the years. A great thing about slim jeans is that they can be paired with a large range of different shoes, but there are some key things to keep in mind.
Due to the nature of slim jeans, it is important to balance them with a slimmer footwear style. You should avoid shoes that will take over the look unless you’re looking for a stand-out look where the shoes make the statement.
For a fun casual look, pair slim jeans with some comfortable loafers, derby shoes, or slim-fit sneakers.
If you’re looking for a more in-your-face look, you can pair slim jeans with some heavy-duty combat boots or military-style boots. These thicker shoes should be black or dark in color to make a bolder statement.
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Skinny Jeans
While skinny jeans were met with a lot of backlashes, in the beginning, skinny jeans for men have become extremely popular. Most men these days now own at least one or two pairs of these sleek looking jeans that offer an easy to attain modern look.
The one drawback to skinny jeans is that if they are paired with the wrong shoe, it can easily break the overall look you’re going for. The biggest thing to remember when styling these skinny jeans is that you should avoid any overly complicated or chunky footwear. It’s best to stick with tried and true shoes like Chelsea boots or oxford shoes.
Of course, if you’re out on the town and want a more casual look, sneakers can still be paired with skinny jeans for a fun casual look, just steer clear of any super chunky sneakers to avoid the clown-shoe look.
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Boot Cut Jeans
Boot cut jeans are a definite go-to style jean, and as you have probably already figured out, they look amazing with boots. Due to the slight flare out from knee to ankle, boot cut jeans allow you to slip the bottom of your jeans over your boots without a fight.
Lace-up or military-style boots are perfect for boot cut jeans, but, if you want a more casual look, you can still pair these versatile jeans with derby shoes or a pair of comfortable sneakers.
One thing to keep in mind with boot cut jeans is the fit, they should be long enough to cover the ankle, but short enough that you can still see the laces on your shoes.
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Tapered Leg Jeans
Tapered-leg jeans are a good in-between option between straight and slim style jeans. Tapered leg jeans offer a looser fit around the thighs, but are tighter around the calves and ankles, which makes it important to find the right pair of shoes to wear with this cut of jeans.
Since there is extra fabric on the top of tapered-leg jeans, you can balance out the look with a chunkier style of shoe like a pair of sturdy sneakers or combat boots. If you like to pin roll the cuff of your jeans, you should consider footwear that is a little bit more low and wide like derby shoes or low sneakers.
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Straight Leg Jeans
The perfect go-to style for anyone, straight-leg jeans are the classic denim style that almost everyone will own. This tried and true minimal aesthetic pairs well with pretty much any shoe you can throw at it.
When choosing shoes to pair with your straight-legged jeans you’ll want to keep the occasion in mind. From brogues, sneakers, loafers, to boots, you can create a perfect look with ease since you don’t have to worry about proportions with these streamlined jeans.
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While there are some simple rules to follow when pairing shoes with different cuts of jeans, creating a fashion-forward look is much easier than it may seem. Whether you like the look of skinny jeans with combat boots or boot cut jeans with sneakers, the sky really is the limit on the stylish outfits that you can create with your jeans.
What is your favorite jean and shoe combination? Let us know in the comments below!