When I’m consulting, one of the most commonly asked questions Danai and I get asked is what shoes to wear with jeans? Jeans should be celebrated as one of those most iconic wardrobe staples continually evolving year after year.

As Yves Saint Laurent once said, I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and nonchalant.  They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes.”

So when it comes to pairing jeans with footwear, I’ve put together a few key rules for your dressing ease. 

1. You need to consider the colour of the denim first. By day, lighter coloured denim is generally worn for a more casual and practical feel and for the evening, darker denim is considered “dressier” (and is generally slimming).


2. No colour rules! Almost every colour will work with denim; just pick your time of day. This season is sporting a host of nude shoes which look beautiful against blue hues, and colour blocking styles will draw attention south and are very on-trend. If you like a bit of matching try and use colours found in your accessories or top. 

3. In terms of the actual shoe, jeans should sit just above the bottom of the heel to accentuate your legs. Any higher can make your legs appear shorter unless you are wearing skinny/tube jeans which are made to stop higher. Stilettos can get lost in wider leg jeans but are ideal for your boot cut, skinny or straight legs. For wider leg jeans, wedges and thicker heels will balance you out. 

4. When wearing mid to knee-high boots, to tuck or not to tuck is set by the cut of the jean. Bootleg, flare and wide cuts should sit comfortably over the boot whilst straight to skinny leg jeans can be neatly tucked in. Don’t try and tuck in a wider leg as it will just look frumpy and accentuate the width of your calf.

5. I don’t wear sneakers unless I’m exercising but know many of my busy clients do. Be it athletic of fashionable, ensure the jeans sit low enough. Evidence of bright sports socks is not very vogue and could make your legs appear shorter if visible between the jean and the shoe.

So there you have it – easy right? My best advice as always is to play in your wardrobe. Put on you favourite jeans and your favourite tune and parade (yes, prance and dance) in front of your mirror modelling different shoes. You’ll be amazed by how many looks you can achieve!

For something visual I’ve posted some celebrity photos who have teamed jeans and shoes together. If you have any style questions, be sure to comment below, I’m generally pretty punctual at replying!

Cindy x