Do you want to know what shoes to wear with straight leg jeans in 2023? We’ve got you covered! Learn about the best shoes to pair with straight-leg denim for a chic and modern look, and get on-trend outfit inspiration!
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Originally published Aug 5 2022, Updated May 1 2023
What Shoes To Wear With Straight Leg Jeans
Straight leg jeans are still holding strong in 2023 and we don’t see them going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, straight leg denim is our favorite cut for a casual chic style.
These jeans are versatile, comfortable, and can be dressed up or down with ease. But what shoes should you wear with them to achieve the most stylish look?
In this post, we’ll explain the best shoes to wear with straight-leg jeans for all occasions and different seasons. So, whether you’re dressing for a casual day out, or an important event, you’ll know exactly which pair to throw on.
What type of shoes go with straight-leg jeans?
Straight leg jeans look fantastic with so many styles of shoes including:
- sneakers
- ankle boots
- loafers
- ballet flats
- lug or combat boots
- glove boots
- sandals
- heels
Read on to learn all about these shoes to wear with straight-leg jeans, and how you can style them to create a complete and cohesive look.
One of our favorite shoe choices, the classic sneaker, is perfect for a casual look with straight-leg denim. We love the way they look with a pair of jeans and a tee shirt or sweater.
Wear low-top or high-top sneakers with straight leg jeans when meeting friends at the mall, running errands, for school drop-off, or any other casual occasion. When it comes to sneakers you can also get away with a cropped length, or full-length jeans.
Strappy heels are the way to go for a more elevated look. And, they’ll dress up your jeans and make you look chic and put together.
Even with the casual combination of a white t-shirt and straight leg jeans, the heels add a little something more to the outfit that definitely turns heads (in a good way!).
Straight-leg jeans and strappy heels can take you from day to date night in a flash. Simply swap out a classic t-shirt for a silky camisole top or tank and a blazer and you’ll be set for Happy Hour.
Chunky Heels & Pumps
If you want to make a statement, go for a pair of chic heels. We love the timeless look of black pumps paired with straight leg jeans, and slingback pumps are a dream (see our list of Chanel slingback dupes here).
It’s no surprise, heels instantly dress up a pair of straight leg jeans, so you’ll be set for date night or drinks with your girlfriends!
Classic loafers are an excellent choice for straight-leg jeans because they can be dressed up or down. Pair them with a blouse for a more professional look or a tee shirt for a laid-back vibe.
This outfit is great for brunch with friends, a casual date day, or running errands in the spring, summer, or fall months. We absolutely love the Gucci horsebit loafers Emma Hill is wearing above (see more Gucci loafers outfits here), but if they are out of the budget, opt for a pair of Gucci loafer dupes!
Winter Shoes To Wear With Straight-leg Jeans
In the fall and winter seasons you can still style your straight-leg jeans and look amazing, you just have to choose the right footwear for the elements.
Below are the best shoes to wear with straight leg jeans for the cooler months this year.
Ankle boots are another perfect option for creating chic outfits with straight-leg jeans. They’re perfect for fall and winter, keeping your feet warm and your look stylish.
Choose ankle boots that hug the ankle and don’t slouch at the top, as they will be better able to fit under the hem of your jeans. Especially if you go for a more tapered straight-leg cut.
See more ways to style Chelsea boots with jeans.
Glove Boots (also known as “sock boots”) are the perfect choice in fall or winter as they fit snugly against your foot and ankle. This tight fit makes it so that your straight leg jeans will rest nicely over them without any bunching.
Sock boots also work great to keep your feet warm in the winter, and they look great with all lengths of denim. So you can carry your cropped straight jeans from summer through to winter!
For a more rugged look, pair your straight-leg jeans with lug boots. The boots will add warmth and keep you comfortable all day long in the winter months.
Be sure the lug boots you choose fit snug to your ankle so they don’t bunch up the hem of your jeans. Also, a straight-leg jean with a slightly wider leg opening (vs. a slim-straight jean) works best with lug boots and combat boots.
We also love the look of a cropped pair of jeans with lug or combat boots as your ankles will still be protected from the elements, and you’ll get to show off the details on your boots.
How do you style straight leg jeans?
The best way to style straight leg jeans is with a timeless, neutral pieces. A basic white t-shirt, an oversized knit sweater, or a sleek leather jacket all look great with straight leg jeans. One of the great things about straight-leg denim is that it can be styled in many different ways.
When it comes to shoes, whether you’re going for a casual or more formal look, there’s a style that will work for you! We recommend pairing your straight-leg jeans with sneakers or ankle boots for a casual look. Or opt for strappy heels or loafers if you’re looking to dress things up.
On the other hand, if you want to show off your style, go for a bold bootie or statement heel!
More Outfit Ideas With Straight Leg Jeans
Now that you know what shoes are the best for pairing with straight leg denim, what about full outfits? We’ve scoured the IG pages of the top fashion influencers for even more style inspiration.
Below are our favorite looks, and we think you’ll love them too!
This outfit is perfect for a casual day out. Start with a pair of straight-leg jeans and add a comfortable pair of mule clogs. The style is perfect for fall weather, where days are warm and the evenings are cool.
Birkenstock mules are making a serious comeback, and to say they are “having a moment” in 2023 would be an understatement. They add a touch of euro-inspired style to any outfit.
Effortless, timeless, and chic. If you’re looking for a perfect spring or summer outfit, try pairing white or ivory straight-leg jeans with a pair of nude slingback heels or low pumps.
Heels are the perfect way to dress up any outfit, and they’ll make you feel confident and beautiful. We adore these two-tone Chanel heels, but as mentioned before, we have a great list of Chanel slingback dupes to get the look for less.
Thong or flip-flop sandals are the perfect way to pull together a relaxed look in the warm summer months. Pair them with your favorite straight-leg jeans for a look that is both comfortable and stylish.
You can easily wear this outfit while running errands, or heading to the beach. Wear a one-piece swimsuit as a bodysuit under the jeans, and bring along a pair of shorts to change into when you are ready to leave.
Our Instagram feeds have been filling in 2023 with stylish outfits with ballet flats, and our favorite looks often include straight-leg jeans. The feminine feel of ballet flats pair perfectly with a casual pair of straight-leg denim.
If ballet flats aren’t your thing, try a pair of pointed flats, mules, or loafers instead. No matter what style you’re going for, flats are a great option to pair with straight-leg jeans.
What are the best shoes to wear with straight-leg jeans in different seasons?
One of the great things about straight-leg jeans is that they can be worn all year round! In the warmer months, we recommend pairing them with sandals, flip-flops, sneakers, ballet flats, or espadrilles. When the temperature drops, switch out your sandals for ankle boots, lug boots, combat boots, or chunky loafers.
Do straight leg jeans look good on everyone?
Yes! One of the best things about straight-leg jeans is that they look good on everyone. Seriously! Whether you’re petite or plus-size, a pair of straight-leg jeans will flatter your figure.
If you’re petite, we recommend choosing a full-length pair of straight leg jeans, which will help create the illusion of longer legs. If you’re plus-size, go for a pair of curvy straight-leg jeans that hug in all the right places. You can find curvy jeans from many great denim brands including Madewell, Abercrombie, and Good American.
No matter your size or shape, there’s a pair of straight-leg jeans that will look great on you!
Choosing Shoes For Straight Leg Jeans
When it comes to styling straight-leg jeans in 2023, the options are endless. You can wear almost any type of shoe, from sandals to sneakers. However, there are a few guidelines you can follow to create a stylish and timeless look.
- Avoid knee-high boots. They don’t fit well over straight leg jeans and will look clunky.
- Opt for a pair of pumps or sandals if you want to dress up your jeans. Heels or wedges will give you a bit of extra height and elongate your legs, while flats will keep the look low-key.
- Go with sneakers or lug boots for a laid-back vibe. Great for everyday wear and running errands.
- If wearing boots, make sure they are snug enough around the ankle to be worn under the hemline of your jeans, not over.
Whatever style you choose, have a little bit of fun with it. Do you have a favorite shoe you like to wear with your straight-leg jeans?
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Christal Sczebel is an entrepreneur, published author, and content creator. Over the past decade she has worked in the digital media field building successful websites for both food and fashion. She has a natural affinity for minimal, timeless fashion, neutral home decor, and styling.
Here on Style Your Occasion, Christal is the Editor-in-chief and brain behind the aesthetic. She hopes you love the this space and the inspiration you’ll find!
