11 Foolproof Jeans and Denim Outfit Formulas

No matter the style or length.

11 Foolproof Jeans and Denim Outfit Formulas

So you've found the one: a pair of jeans that fit you like second skin. Now, it's time to figure out which shoes to wear with said jeans, so you can go on and plot all the ways you'll style your new wardrobe essential.

Not sure where to begin? NBD, as we curated some of our favorite pairings for you below. Not only do these outfit ideas provide ample sartorial inspiration, but they also serve easy-to-copy formulas for embracing on-trend silhouettes and tricky lengths. 

From knee-length shorts to midi skirts and high-waist fits, ahead, all the best shoes to wear with jeans and other denim styles—and where to shop them.

Straight-leg jeans + chunky dad sneakers

One foolproof combo you can wear on repeat? Straight-leg jeans and chunky dad sneakers. Cuff the raw edges for contrast or leave them puddling over the shoe for a floor-kissing, laissez-faire 'fit. 

Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans

Totême Cropped High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans

New Balance 327 Sneakers

Nike Ryz 365 2 Sneakers

Baggy vintage jeans + walking sandals

Pair up non-stretch vintage denim with flat sandals for a look that reads remarkably modern and cool. Whether you opt for a high-rise or low-slung fit, the combination is effortless, and by default, insanely comfortable.

Agolde Crisscross Jeans

BDG High-Waist Baggy Jean

Ancient Greek Sandals Thais Crossover-Strap Terry Slides

Arizona Love Trekky Bandana Platform Sandal

High-waist jeans + statement heels

The ultimate high-low pairing in our stylebook is high-waist jeans plus look-at-me-now heels. (Your M.O. should be the bolder the better.) There's something about the contrast of light or dark wash denim with an elegant heel that just feels so right.

Reformation Cynthia High-Rise Straight Jeans

The Feel Studio The Black Genuine Jeans

Zara Geometric-Heeled Satin Sandals

Gucci Plastique Logo-Embossed Rubber Mules

Flared jeans + heeled booties

If you want legs for days, try flares and heeled booties. Not only are they perfect companions for a lengthening look, but the heel also provides that ~extra~ bit of height you need to avoid a trip to the tailor. A western-inspired boot plays well with the '70s vibe of this denim style—and is so on-point for now.

Mother The Weekender Frayed High-Rise Flared Jeans

Lee High Waist Flare Jeans

Mango Squared Toe Leather Ankle Boots

Schutz Crocodile-Embossed Leather Bootie

Bermuda jean shorts + square-toe sandals

You don't need to be 5'5" and above to wear knee-length shorts—and the styling in this photo is proof. Throw on an oversized button-down and slip into some heeled sandals for a put-together summer look that has infinite day-to-nighttime potential. 

& Other Stories Denim Shorts

Agolde 90's Short Mid Rise Loose Shorts

Zara Wide Heeled Vinyl Sandals

Reformation Marcella Ruched Kitten Heel Sandal

Skinny jeans + open-back shoes

Clogs and mules are having a major moment—and one of our favorite ways to style them is with skinny jeans: It's an unexpected yet on-trend pairing that makes getting dressed in the morning a no-brainer.

Good American Good Legs Jean

Rag & Bone Cate Mid-Rise Shorty Skinny

Birkenstock Boston Soft Footbed Clog

Tory Charm Mule

Denim skirt + knee-high boots

A denim skirt can be tricky to style, but it almost always looks great with knee-length boots, whether you wear it in the summer with a sleeveless grandpa vest, or in the fall with a baby-soft cashmere sweater.

Joe's Jeans A-Line Skirt

Zara Denim Midi Skirt

Paris Texas Crocodile-Effect Leather Boot

Schutz Maryana Flare Boot

Denim cutoffs + colorful slide sandals

Denim cutoffs are a no-fuss summer staple that deserves to be styled with an equally carefree shoe. Opt for statement-making slides, like the two options below, to play up a simple pair of frayed shorts.

Everlane The Way-High Jean Short

Boying The Monty Jeans Shorts

Alameda Turquesa Turquesa Slides

Loeffler Randall Polly Sandals

Ripped jeans + platform loafers

Distressed jeans typically lean casual, so you if want a low-key way to dress them up without having to commit to heels, loafers are the way to go. (Bonus points if you pick a neon-hued pair or something with chain embellishments.) The menswear-inspired shoe offsets the relaxed fit, giving you a cool but laid-back swagger that never feels like you're trying too hard.

Re/Done 90s Comfy Jeans

Edwin Cai Classic Straight Jeans

Jeffrey Campbell Recess Chain Platform Loafer

ASOS Freya Chunky Loafers

Slim-fit jeans + chunky boots

A chunky boot is a year-round celeb staple, and for good reason. Whether it has a lug-sole, solid block heel, or laces, the styling opportunities are endless—not to mention it's a shoe style you can comfortably wear for hours on end (and through all kinds of testing weather conditions). Use them to ground slim-fit jeans, like the Glamour editor-favorite Levi's Wedgie model, for a perfect ’90-inspired look. 

Levi's Premium Wedgie Icon Fit Jeans

Madewell The Perfect Vintage Jean

Vagabond Shoemakers Cosmo 2.0 Chelsea Boot

UO Platform Black Sock Boot

White denim + leather boots

Heeled or not, leather boots are perfect giving for cream or stark white denim an edgy spin—and making the light wash wearable year-round. Who said you can't wear white past Labor Day?

Favorite Daughter The Otto High Waist Boyfriend Jeans

Gap Sky High Wide-Leg Jeans

Dr. Martens 2976 Quad Chelsea Boots

E8 By Miista Doris Front Zip Boot

This story originally appeared on: Glamour - Author:Condé Nast