If you’re a fan of slim-fit jeans (which we’ll assume you are), you’ve probably faced the following dilemma at least once during your life: You’ve put together a great outfit with your favorite pair of your tightest denim, and you have absolutely no idea what shoes to wear with skinny jeans. Depending on the occasion, strappy heels might feel too dressy, flat sandals can sometimes look too bulky, and you feel like sneakers just aren’t right.
We get it—so much so that we’ve racked our brains for eight amazing ways to wear a plethora of different shoes with skinny jeans. Each kind pulls off a very different (but equally stylish) vibe, and hopefully, these tips will help the next time you’re feeling shoe stumped. Scroll down for your complete guide to what shoes to wear with skinny jeans.
Who: Naomi Watts. Style Tip: Arguably the most on-trend shoes at the moment, classic lace-up sneakers definitely should have a place in your wardrobe, especially when paired with blue denim skinny jeans. These work well when you’re having a casual daytime event or simply running errands in a T-shirt and jeans.
Who: Cindy Crawford. Style Tip: Whether you’re heading to brunch or a casual cocktail hour after work, pair your skinnies with a pair of flat sandals. Neutral sandals work well with this denim style if you want to keep your look simple, but don’t be afraid to step outside the box in a pair of statement slides as well.
On Jasmine Tookes: Louis Vuitton bag; Gucci Brixton Loafers ($730). Style Tip: Yes, simple flats can be more than just the shoes you wear to and from the office every day. They can also dress up a pair of skinny jeans in a sleek and simple way. Opt for classic pairs for a polished look, or embrace embellishments and fun textures for an instant skinny-jean upgrade.
Who: Kate Bosworth. Style Tip: Slip-on sneakers are the other sporty style that happen to look perfect with a pair of skinnies. Both the platform and classic styles of these shoes look fresh. Feel free to play around with fun colors and prints, too—the slip-on world is your oyster.
On Rosie Huntington-Whiteley: Celine bag. Style Tip: For prime night-out appeal, forgo all other shoe options in favor of strappy heels. You have a lot of freedom here when it comes to color. Everything from a simple, understated black version to a pop of color or print (e.g., animal) will work.
On Meghan Markle: William Vintage Courrèges Haute Couture black trapeze coat in matelassé silk circa 1965; CH Carolina Herrera Matryoshka Locked L Shoulder Bag; Le Specs sunglasses. Style Tip: If you want a sleek and easy way to dress up a pair of skinny jeans, definitely reach for your favorite pair of pointed-toe pumps. Black and nude are always classic options, but if you want to make more of a statement, definitely reach for a bright color or on-trend snakeskin.
Who: Gigi Hadid. Style tip: Here’s a little-known secret: Ankle boots seem to never be going out of style. This season, opt for fresh styles like all white, animal print, Western, and croc-embossed. Fit-wise, you preferably want jeans that hit right above the top of the boots.
Who: Emily Ratajkowski. Style Tip: When you need a break from ankle boots, go for over-the-knee boots. Since skinny jeans are tapered to your leg by nature, the silhouette is a perfect fit.
This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
