What Shoes to Wear With Every Pair of Jeans in Your Closet, From Straight to Baggy and Beyond

0Credit: Getty ImagesThe GistDenim garments, especially jeans, are timeless wardrobe staples thanks to their versatility across aesthetics, occasions, and seasons.

Despite their adaptability, finding the right shoes to pair with different jean silhouettes can be surprisingly tricky.

InStyle breaks down 18 foolproof jeans-and-shoes formulas, from cowboy boots with skinny jeans to ballet flats with virtually any denim style.

Denim belongs in your arsenal no matter the season. When the sun’s out, we reach for denim shorts, skirts, and even shirts, while colder months usher in jeans, jackets, and heavier layers. It’s timeless, versatile, and so many flattering silhouettes are on the market right now—but there’s one thing that always trips me up: the jean-to-shoe ratio (it may be my biggest pet peeve). Does the shoe look too bulky? Is the hem hitting at an awkward spot? Am I even Comfortable? The length of your jeans and the shoes you pair with them can make or break the entire look.

Thankfully, there’s no shortage of inspiration. Thanks to It girls like Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid, flip-flops are firmly back in rotation, and there’s something effortlessly cool about a barely-there pair worn with straight-leg, light-wash denim. Then there’s the Millennial-favorite Ugg boot, which got a modern update courtesy of pop mother Charli XCX, who swapped skinny jeans for baggy ones for an effortlessly off-duty look. Then, there are the ever-popular ballet flats, which are basically the jack of all trades when it comes to footwear, seamlessly accenting just about every denim silhouette imaginable.

So, if you’re ever stood in front of the mirror wondering what shoes actually work with the jeans you’re wearing, consider this your ultimate guide. From Mary Janes and sneakers to pumps and beyond, discover 18 shoes to wear with every pair of jeans in your closet.

Booties, with or without laces, work especially well with baggy jeans worn cuffed or cropped, but you really can’t go wrong with any pair of denim. And while ankle booties and jeans have been a winning combination for decades, it gets a modern refresh courtesy of mixed prints, statement pieces, and trending colorways.

If this summer’s celeb street style was any indication, flip-flops belong outside the house and the beach. The thong sandals have found their way into legitimate shoe territory on the heels of your favorite A-listers (literally), and their favorite way to style them is with all of their jeans.

Given their big business-casual energy, slingback heels worn with jeans create unexpected contrast. Slip a pair on for a surprisingly elevated but laid-back look. Be it a subtle kitten heel or sky-high stiletto, a slingback is always a good idea.

Jeans, cowboy boots, and an oversized coat strike the perfect balance of casual and elegance. Tighter-fitting jeans slip easily into taller cowboy boot styles, but don’t be afraid to let looser jeans scrunch up around your calves. Trust, it’s a vibe.

Take a cue from Katie Holmes: this timeless shoe adds elegance to jeans regardless of heel height. Go glamorous with square-heeled Mary Janes or opt for a more mod look with flats.

You heard it here first: basic is in the eye of the beholder. If certified cool girls Charli XCX and Bella Hadid have broken out Uggs from their early 2000s closet, so can you. The beloved tall Uggs and skinny jeans pairing gets a modernized, It update by way of shorter styles and more flowy pants.

The femininity and charm of mules paired with baggy and kick-flare jeans contrast beautifully with its streamlined shape. Best of all, these count as statement shoes, so you can throw on basic separates and still have an A+ ‘fit.

It doesn’t get better than a pair of jeans and fresh white sneakers. A cropped or cuffed pair is great for showing off stacked athletic shoes, but a pair of wide-leg jeans can deliver the same nostalgic and youthful energy.

Whimsy ‘70s-inspired shoes are in, which makes clogs fashion-forward footwear. Even celebs like Sarah Jessica Parker and Gisele Bündchen are getting in on the action. And while there is more than one way to wear the shoe, a cropped pair or flare jeans will always hit.

You don’t need to teeter on sky-high stilettos to pull off CBK or Sophie Richie Grainge’s quiet luxury look. A pair of low- or mid-height pumps with a contrasting toe delivers a luxe effect when worn with straight-leg jeans. Plus, they won’t wreak havoc on your arches.

Loafers and denim are a match made in preppy heaven. The polished shoe adds structure to relaxed, baggy jeans, while straight-leg denim lets a classic penny or chunky lug-sole style take center stage. Add a pair of socks for a collegiate feel, or go bare-ankled to keep things sleek.

Consider ballet flats the chameleons of your shoe collection: They play well with practically every jean silhouette. For an easy daytime look, take a cue from this pairing of classic black flats and light-wash, straight-leg denim—the slim shoe balances the relaxed jeans without overpowering them. From skinnies to baggy blues, there’s really no wrong combination.

Serve vampy energy without compromising comfort by pairing your most voluminous jeans with a pair of pointed-toe shoes. With heels, the vibe is the perfect mix of formality and streetwear; With flats, the silhouette brings a street-style sensibility while posing zero risk to your ankles.

Nothing beats a pair of comfy Converse lace-ups for a day of running errands or a casual brunch date with your besties. When styling Converse and jeans, don’t be afraid to embrace the laid-back aesthetic. Play with shades of blue and lean into the sneaker’s retro appeal with high-waisted mom jeans, then finish the look with some smart layering.

The aughts made stiletto heels and skinny jeans a celeb style staple. And no wonder—there’s so much to love about an embellished heel and denim moment. Modernize the look by swapping out skinny jeans for a looser, barrel-leg fit and skip the studs in favor of brooch-style sparkle.

Work boots like classic Timberlands imbue jeans with effortlessness. Wear them with tongues out and laces undone for a street-style vibe or pair them with thick, scrunched socks and skinny jeans for a throwback to Y2K-era styling.

Strappy sandals are a shoe MVP (most valuable pair). For a twist on your go-to denim look, take a maximalist approach by mixing and matching prints. Pair patterned jeans with a contrasting printed top, then let the sleek, barely-there sandals ground the statement-making combo.

If you’re the type to desperately hang on to summer as the fall chill draws near, pay attention. Give your warm-weather-loved open-toe sandals some extra moments to shine by pairing them with jeans. Any silhouette will suffice, but there’s something about a wider-leg that makes for a surefire OOTD.