Skinny jeans have a major benefit over other cuts of jeans: they’re the perfect style to show off your latest shoes or sneakers.
The cuffed fit means you don’t get material bunching up and covering your foot as you might with looser styles. You can show your shoes off in all their glory.
When deciding what shoes to wear with skinny jeans men have plenty of options. Indigo and black skinny jeans are typically quite smart and go well with boots and shoes. Lighter shades of denim really come into their own when paired with casual shoes or sneakers.
The season also plays a big part in the style you wear.
During fall and winter, I tend to pair my skinny jeans with leather shoes and boots. These keep your feet warm and dry and they go great with other cold-weather favorites such as sweaters and coats.
In the warmer months, canvas shoes and minimalist sneakers look great. My trusty Vans Old Skool are the pair I reach to most often, but there are plenty of other styles you could go for.
In this article, we’ll look at 10 shoe styles that guys can wear with skinny jeans.
What Shoes to Wear With Skinny Jeans for Men
Here are 10 different types of shoes that I think look great with skinny jeans. Each of the outfits shows off the shoes in a different way and I’ve explained why I think it works. Use the images as inspiration for your own fits.
1. Smart Shoes
Dress up your skinny jeans by pairing them with smart shoes. Brown is a classic color that always looks good, while black can help your outfit really stand out. While most shoes will do the job, consider going for a rounder, chunkier pair for an up-to-date look. Keep your shoes polished and in tip-top condition. You could even consider a patent pair for a look that will really stand out. Avoid pointy toes unless you want to look like you’re in a noughties indie band, which—to be fair—perhaps you do.
Is it ok to wear shoes with jeans? 👇
Wearing dress shoes with jeans can work as long as you take care with the rest of your outfit. It’s easiest to get right if you choose dark jeans without much fading and dress shoes that aren’t super formal. The good news is that skinny jeans are a great choice for wearing with shoes due to the more tailored fit.
2. Canvas Shoes
Canvas shoes and skinny jeans is perhaps the ultimate combination. Canvas sneakers are much more casual than dress shoes, but still have a minimalist, slimmed-down silhouette. Vans Old Skool (pictured) are probably my favorite canvas shoes to wear with skinny jeans, while high-top Converse are another classic. In reality, most brands nowadays make canvas shoes so it shouldn’t be hard to find a pair you like.
3. Chelsea Boots
If you really want to make a statement, paring Chelsea boots with skinny jeans is definitely the way to go. A black pair will go amazingly well with black or indigo jeans, while brown leather or even suede is a good alternative option.
Classic Chelsea boots will always look great, but you can up the stakes a little this year by choosing some with an angular sole or even going for Cuban-style boots with a higher heel.
The Boardwalk Style Tips👇
While black leather Chelsea boots are very dressy, choosing a suede pair results in a more casual look (like in the image). Choosing a chunkier pair rather than a slimline pair will also typically result in a more casual fit.
4. Dessert Boots
Dessert boots are more casual than Chelseas, but still look great with skinny jeans. You can get them in a variety of colors. I have a black leather pair and a slightly more casual grey suede pair. These are super comfy shoes that you could wear all day long. Chukka boots will do a very similar job.
5. Minimalist Sneakers
At the moment, it feels like sneakers can of two ways: super loud and over the top, or really pared back and minimal. I like to pair my skinny jeans with more minimal styles. Think all white or white with beige soles. A thinner, sleeker profile will complement the slimmer fit of the jeans and help avoid your feet looking too big and bulky. Finish the look off with a plain t-shirt for a simple look that works every time.
6. Work Boots
Work boots go great with skinny jeans. Pair black boots with darker jeans or brown ones with lighter colors. Add a heavy denim jacket or winter coat depending on how warm the weather is. If you’re feeling really brave, tuck the boots into your jeans or roll the cuffs up to really show off your boots. To really get the rock star look like in the image above, consider grabbing a leather jacket to finish the look.
Next up: Here are our favorite affordable leather jackets
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7. Loafers (and Boat Shoes)
If Chelsea boots are the smart shoes to wear with skinny jeans in winter, then loafers are the ones for summer. Make sure your jeans are cut just above the ankle and wear the loafers without socks for a modern fit. Boat shoes are a similar style that, while not quite as popular as they were a few years ago, still look great with skinny jeans.
8- Chunky Sneakers
While minimalist sneakers keep the look sleek and crisp, chunky sneakers allow you to stand out from the crowd by adding a modern flair to the look. The contrast with skinny jeans can be jarring, but it works when done with confidence.
9- Oxford Shoes
Oxford shoes are essentially formal and not a go-to choice for skinny jeans usually, but they can really serve to amp up a casual outfit. You can wear oxford shoes with a check shirt and skinny jeans for an exquisitely casual-yet-polished look.
10- Sandals
Let’s not forget the simplest form of footwear. Sandals make a great pair with skinny jeans and are an ideal choice for laidback outdoor activities on a weekend. Don’t be afraid to flaunt a pair of Birkenstocks with your skinny jeans for a subtle statement or simply go for beach sandals or slides.
What Else Do You Wear With Skinny Jeans Men?
A pair of skinny jeans is one of the most prized wardrobe item. You can rock them effortlessly with virtually anything, including a T-shirt, polo, collared shirt, sweater, hoodie, and whatnot. What you wear with your skinny pants depends greatly on the type of look you’re creating.
You can create a super casual outfit by teaming up a loose tee with skinny jeans and sneakers or get all stylish by pairing them with a button-down shirt and formal shoes. The point is, skinny jeans are incredibly versatile and the styling options are endless.
