Jeans and sneakers are a match made in heaven. They are comfortable, feel classic and you can do so much with the rest of the outfit to make it feel different. With so many different types of jeans, it can be challenging to know which sneakers to pair with what jean styles. So today I am breaking down the best sneakers to wear with your favorite pair of jeans.
Whether you’re styling a pair of wide leg jeans, or skinnies, this is your ultimate guide on the best sneakers to wear with jeans so you look balanced, proportionate and on trend.
Best Sneakers to Wear With Jeans
What Sneakers To Wear With Wide Leg Jeans
For relaxed wide leg jeans, you can choose a variety of great sneakers. Wide leg jeans can also be full length or cropped. No matter the length, I think the sneaker choice stays the same across the board. Here’s the best sneakers to wear with wide leg jeans.
Slim Sneakers and Platform Sneakers
I personally love a great slim sneaker like an Adidas Gazelle or Puma Speedcat for example paired with a wider leg jean. Sometimes if the jeans are extra wide, this can get a little lost, but I don’t mind it. You can also do a high top here because the jean goes over the shoe so you can get more use out of your high top sneakers.
A platform sneaker is a great option here because it adds height, without adding a ton of bulk. A dad sneaker is hit or miss with a wide leg denim style as we’ll discuss below, but a platform sneaker that still has a slim profile on top is the perfect way to add height which a wide leg full length denim style usually needs. This also works with a cropped wide leg style as you can see below. These are some of the best platform sneakers for women to shop if you ask me.
Dad Sneakers
When styling a Dad sneaker, this can lean super Gen Z, and feel a bit heavy on the bottom along with the heaviness and wideness of the wide leg jeans. It’s still a look and on trend, but I prefer a platform sneaker or sleek slim sneaker for a more polished look.
What Sneakers To Wear With Straight-Leg Jeans
When thinking about what shoes to wear with straight leg jeans, a sneaker is always a great option! Straight leg jeans, ones that hit at or around the ankle, can really go with any and all sneakers. It all depends on the length of your straight leg jeans. If you go for a full length straight leg, I would honestly skip the sneaker altogether. I think the sneaker and straight leg jean pairing works best when you can see the whole shoe.
This rule also applies to barrel leg jeans too and any wide leg cropped for the most part. I think these are the most versatile along with straight leg jeans to style with sneakers. And yes, when it’s cold out, and your ankles are showing, you can 100% wear a sock with your shoes. Here’s some tips on which socks to wear with what shoes.
Slim Sneakers
Slim sneakers like a canvas Converse, or leather Veja or Adidas are great to style with straight leg jeans. They balance the silhouette of the jeans well without being too heavy. In the warmer months, opt for a canvas sneaker, and for fall and winter, try leather or suede slim sneakers.
Dad Sneaker Or Chunky Sneakers
A favorite type of sneaker to pair with a straight leg jean that hits at or above the ankle, so slightly cropped, is a chunkier sneaker. You can definitely get away with a dad sneaker or chunky sneaker here when you show off the whole sneaker with a slightly cropped straight leg or barrel leg jean. A slightly slimmer straight may work best to help balance the heaviness of a chunkier sneaker too.
What Sneakers To Wear With Mom Jeans
A mom jean is typically a high waist jean that is slightly relaxed through the leg, and tapered at the bottom. Because they’re tapered at the bottom, I think you can mostly style these similarly to a slim straight leg jean. That would include a slim sneaker, or a high top sneaker. You can also do a platform sneaker, but I’d avoid the chunky Dad sneaker here as it can feel a bit off, but if the taper is just right and the leg opening isn’t super wide, it should work.
What Sneakers To Wear With Flare Jeans
I’m going to be honest, unless you’re super tall, I really don’t love the look of a flare jean with a sneaker. I think a true flared jean, one that is fitted through the hip and thigh, and opens at the knee, works best with a heel. If I had to choose one sneaker to pair with a flared jean, it would be a slim sneaker or a platform one to keep the look more polished and give you some height. It’s also important to make sure the flared jeans aren’t too long, and hit the floor perfectly. Any shorter or longer is going to look off.
What Sneakers To Wear With Skinny Jeans
While I’m not reaching for my skinny jeans as much these days, they are still a style that works with many sneaker trends. You can pair them with something a bit chunkier like these Reebok trainers, to platform Converse and even a slim Adidas Samba or Gazelle.
Slim Sneakers, Platform Sneakers and Lower Profile Chunky Trainers
When it comes to pairing a high top with skinny jeans, I prefer a sliver of skin to still show between the shoe and jean. I don’t love a jean that goes into the high top, and definitely not OVER the high top. When in doubt, tuck your jean into the high top.
Since a skinny jean is hugging your body, it is giving a slimmer illusion to the outfit. We like to balance that on top with something slightly oversized. And while you may think to do that on the bottom too, a SUPER heavy and chunky sneaker will feel off balanced here. You can do a slightly chunky trainer like you see the Reeboks above, but I would avoid the truly classic heavy and chunky Dad sneaker with this style.
How To Wear Sneakers With Jeans
When In Doubt Wear A Sleek White Sneaker
When I’m not sure which shoes to wear when it comes to a sneaker, it never fails that a classic white slim sneaker works. I can’t think of a time when this wasn’t a great option. Even if it wasn’t 100% perfect, it was always the safe bet. A few favorites include a classic Adidas Gazelle or Samba, Converse, Vejas or Supergas. For spring and summer, try a canvas style, and for fall and winter opt for leather or suede.
High Tops Are Great For Cropped Styles
When styling high top sneakers with jeans, I like to make sure the jean does one or two things. Either it falls nicely over the sneaker as it’s slightly a wider opening. Or you see a little sliver of skin between the high top and the jean. Cropped slightly relaxed fits or slim straight leg jeans are a perfect pairing with high top sneakers.
Have Fun With Color And Texture
Sneakers can be a really great way to add color and interest to an outfit. With so many styles, colors, textures and fabrics to choose from, you can really go wild! A great way to go about investing in the right color is to see what colors you wear a lot in your closet. For me personally, I found myself leaning into a lot of red lately, so a red Adidas Samba was the perfect shoe to add to my closet. It adds a nice pop of color to some neutral outfits, and ties in the red sweaters and tops I’ve been adding to my closet.
You can also go complimentary with your colors. If you wear a lot of one color, look across the color wheel to see what compliments it. Maybe you wear a lot of pink, try a green sneaker. Or if you’re more of a neutral person, you can really have fun with adding a pop of color with your sneaker.
No matter what style of jeans you have, there’s a great sneaker to pair with it. Go bold and fun in a cool color, or platform and chunky. I hope this guide helps you navigate the shoe and jean pairing challenges you may have when getting dressed.
