Do you want to know what shoes to wear with straight leg jeans in 2024? I’ve got you covered! I’m sharing the best shoes to pair with straight-leg denim for a chic and modern look and outfit inspiration too!
Originally published August 5, 2022 – Updated December 13, 2023
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What Shoes To Wear With Straight Leg Jeans
Straight leg jeans are still holding strong in 2024 and I don’t see them going anywhere anytime soon! Straight leg denim is my favorite cut for a casual chic style. I wear this style most of the time, as well as barrel jeans and wide-leg jeans on occasion.
Do you love straight leg jeans too and wonder what shoes should wear with them for the most stylish look? In this post, I’ll teach you all about the best shoes to wear with straight-leg jeans from my experience, for all occasions and different seasons!
What type of shoes go with straight-leg jeans?
Straight leg jeans look fantastic with so many styles of shoes! I often pair mine with the following shoes:
- sneakers – my top choice year-round
- ankle boots – a great option for fall and winter
- loafers – the perfect shoe to add a business casual vibe
- ballet flats – these give a Parisian aesthetic with straight leg jeans
- lug or combat boots – also great for fall and winter
- glove boots – classy and chic!
- sandals – perfect for the summer months
- heels – always elevate jeans for a dressier occasion
Read on to learn all about each of these shoes to wear with straight-leg jeans, and get ideas for how you can style them to create a complete and cohesive look.
One of my favorite shoe choices, the classic sneaker, is perfect for a casual look with straight-leg denim. I love the way they look with a pair of jeans and a tee shirt or sweater.
I often pair sneakers with jeans, like I’m wearing above, when running errands, for school drop-off, or meeting friends for coffee. When it comes to sneakers, you can wear them with cropped-length or full-length jeans.
get the look:
Above, @fakerstrom is wearing her high-top sneakers with full-length straight leg jeans for a cool and casual vibe.
In my opinion, strappy heels are the way to go for a more elevated look with straight-leg jeans. This combo can take you from day to date night in a flash.
Above I’m wearing a chic model off-duty inspired combo with vintage Levi’s, kitten heel sandals, a leather jacket, and a black bodysuit.
get the look:
Even with the casual combination of a white t-shirt and straight leg jeans above, the strappy heels add a little something more to the outfit. To dress this look up even more, I’d simply swap out the t-shirt for a silky camisole top and add a blazer. Perfect for Happy Hour!
Chunky Heels & Pumps
get the look:
If you want to make a statement, I recommend you go for a pair of chic heels. I love the timeless look of black pumps paired with straight leg jeans. 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!
Loafers
get the look:
Classic loafers are an excellent choice for straight-leg jeans because they can be dressed up or down. I think they instantly add a business casual vibe to a jeans outfit and you can pair them with a blouse for a more professional look or a tee shirt for a laid-back vibe.
Above I’m wearing my black Gucci Brixton loafers with off-white straight leg jeans and an oversized grey cardigan.
get the look:
The outfit on @emmahill above is great for brunch with friends, a casual date day, or running errands in the spring, summer, or fall months. I love the Gucci Horsebit, but if they are out of the budget for you, check out my list of Gucci loafer dupes!
Ballet Flats
get the look:
Ballet flats add a lovely Parisian vibe to a straight leg jeans outfit, in my opinion. I love pairing my straight leg Agolde cargo jeans with my Chanel ballet flats (these Steve Madden flats are the affordable alternative!).
You can easily wear full-length or cropped jeans with ballet flats, and go with a simple top, chunky sweater, blazer, or tweed jacket.
get the look:
Above, @lovisabarkman is wearing an outfit with straight-leg jeans, Chanel ballet flats, and an oversized striped sweater. The look is so chic and elevated!
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 my favorite shoes to wear with straight leg jeans for the cooler months.
Ankle Boots
get the look:
I love combining ankle boots with straight leg jeans to create chic and modern outfits. Anke boots are perfect for fall and winter, keeping my feet warm and my look stylish.
I recommend choosing ankle boots that hug the ankle and don’t slouch at the top, as they fit better under the hem of your jeans. Especially if you go for a slim straight-leg cut.
get the look:
Above, @aida.bdji pairs her slim straight leg denim with black ankle boots and a long black wool coat. The black and blue denim creates the perfect balance for a cohesive winter outfit.
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!
Lug Boots + Combat Boots
get the look:
For a more rugged look, I love pairing my straight-leg jeans with lug boots. The boots add warmth and keep my feet comfortable all day long in the winter months.
I recommend choosing lug boots that fit snugly to your ankle so they don’t bunch up the hem of your jeans. Also, a straight-leg jean with a slightly wider cut (vs. a slim-straight jean) works best with lug boots and combat boots.
get the look:
I 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.
Chelsea Boots
get the look:
Like lug boots and combat boots, Chelsea boots are a great choice for fall or winter. Above, I’m wearing two outfits with the same straight-leg jeans and either flat Chelsea boots or heeled Chelsea boots.
My flat Chelsea boots have a taller shaft height so you can’t see the top under the jeans (I’m also wearing straight-leg jeans with a wider leg opening). Whereas the heeled boots have a shorter shaft height so there’s a peek-a-boo of my ankle. Both styles work great and give a different vibe!
More Shoes to Wear With Straight Leg Jeans
For transitional weather, summer, or special occasions, try the shoe and straight leg jeans combos below!
Mules
get the look:
I love the look of casual mules with jeans. The style is perfect for fall weather, where days are warm and the evenings are cool.
Birkenstock mules are making a serious comeback, and Twisted Magazine predicts them to continue to cause a rukus in 2024! Pair them with your jeans and an oversized leather jacket like @aaylingk above, and you’ll be on-trend and comfortable!
Effortless, timeless, and chic. If you’re looking for a perfect spring or summer look, try pairing light straight-leg jeans with a pair of slingback heels.
I adore these two-tone Chanel heels on @symphonyofsilk, but they cost a pretty penny! If you are looking for a more affordable alternative, you have to see my list of 2024 Chanel slingback dupes.
Sandals
get the look:
Chunky, strappy, or flip-flop sandals are the perfect way to pull together a relaxed look in the warm summer months. I love to pair my Fisherman sandals with off-white straight leg jeans for a look that is both comfortable and stylish.
get the look:
Above, @claire_most is wearing puffy flip-flop sandals with distressed straight leg denim. You could 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!
Do straight leg jeans look good on everyone?
One of the best things about straight-leg jeans is that they look good on everyone. Whether you’re petite or plus-size, a pair of straight-leg jeans will flatter your figure.
If you’re petite, I recommend choosing a full-length pair of straight leg jeans, which will help create the illusion of longer legs. If you’re plus-size, opt 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, I am certain that there’s a pair of straight-leg jeans that will look great on you!
Tips for Choosing Shoes For Straight Leg Jeans
When it comes to styling straight-leg jeans in 2024, the options are endless. You can wear almost any type of shoe, from sandals to sneakers. However, there are a few guidelines I would recommend for 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? Tell me in the comments below!
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