Many people think that men cannot wear dress shoes with jeans but do not listen to those people. No one needs that kind of negativity in their lives since jeans can look great with dress shoes, as long as you pair the correct shoes with the right pair of jeans and even the shirt or jacket can play a role in the overall look and style of the ensemble.
Times they are a-changin’ when it comes to wearing jeans for more formal occasions. Back in the day, it was unheard of for a man not to wear a suit and tie to events, such as weddings or funerals. It was even considered unacceptable for a man who worked in an office not to wear a suit and tie every day to work but that is just not the case in today’s world of fashion.
It is completely acceptable for a man to wear jeans to a funeral, to a wedding, and to work on a daily basis no matter what his job is. Heck, many brides-to-be are choosing to have a casual, fun, and easygoing wedding to the point in which the groom and his groomsmen are all decked out in jeans with dressy shoes or boots, depending on the style of the wedding.
If you are a man who’s interested in being able to wear your jeans on more dressy occasions or the woman who buys your man’s clothes and styles him, this is the article for you so that you can learn more about how to pair dressy shoes with jeans for men. Here’s our guide to assist you in wearing dress shoes with jeans and making it all work.
FYI, thanks to AI imagery software, we’re able to create very specific fashion and hairstyle examples to illustrate the points being made. In some cases, imagery is exaggerated to hammer home the point.
The Style, Fit, and Color
The style of jeans you choose to wear is important in deciding which type of dress shoe will look good together. A clean-cut, timeless pair of jeans is best and a distressed one should be avoided since those put off a look of being too casual. It is also very important that you ensure that your jeans fit properly. If you pair your jeans with a cool pair of dress shoes but your jeans are two sizes too big, the look will come off as messy and unkempt.
You should choose a pair of jeans that fit properly and wear the correct shirt and belt to round out the jeans and dress shoes for the look you are going for so you can step out in style. Color is also important which means do not wear a pair of dressy red shoes with orange jeans. You will want your look to be pulled together and the colors to compliment each other not clash with one another.
Dress Shoes and Jeans
From trainers to loafers and Oxfords, below is a list and details of the various types of dress shoes you can opt to pair with your favorite pair of jeans that will leave you looking dapper and stylish.
Boots with Jeans
A pair of boots is a great option to dress up a pair of jeans. You just need to pick the pair of boots to go with the jeans you are wearing and the look you are going for to look your best. A perfect example of someone wearing dressy footwear with jeans to a special event is that recently country music superstar Garth Brooks wore a pair of jeans to President Joe Biden’s Inauguration, but he dressed them up with a blazer and a stylish and dressy pair of boots.
Men are even opting to grab a pair of nice dark blue jeans and a pair of oxfords or leather trainers to wear to church on Sunday morning. Yes, jeans have made a comeback for all occasions, but they must be paired with the right shoe to make it work.
Hiking Boots
If you want more of an urban style with a casual vibe, a chunkier boot may work best like this pair of hiking boots: Hiking boots are sturdy and very durable, but they can also dress up a pair of jeans. This requires you to purchase a leather or suede pair of hiking boots that are styled to be dressy and not as casual as the ones you would wear for actual hiking. You can pair them with a pair of corduroys Anna button-down shirt and it makes a great dressy outfit.
Chelsea Boots
For a casual look that is a little dressier than the look with hiking boots, you can try a pair of Chelsea boots or chukka boots instead. Chelsea boots got their name because they first became popular in the 1950s and 1960s in the Chelsea area of London, England, during the mod scene era. Chelsea boots are created to go over the ankle and consist of two parts, including the quarters and the vamp, which are actually made of one piece of leather. The vamp and quarters meet near the ankle area.
Ankle Boots
While the Chelsea boot uses elastic panels, the ankle boot for men has zippers or straps in place. Otherwise, the two boots look very similar and are both great options for men to wear to dress up a pair of jeans.
Walking Shoes
The men’s dressy walking shoe is a great option that goes well with a nice pair of jeans. This type of shoe comes in styles that are similar to a men’s ankle boot but do not go up over the ankle.
Chukka Boots
Chukka boots can be purchased with a leather-look or a suede style. Be sure to remember that color and texture matter. Men’s chukka boots offer a relaxed option for a dressy shoe that can be worn with a nice pair of jeans. These attractive boots provide comfort and a wonderful option that men can wear to work, even in an office environment. They pair well with a pair of dark denim jeans and a button-down shirt that offer a dressy and casual style.
Desert Boots
A desert boot is a type of chukka boot that has crêpe rubber soles and many times comes as a suede upper shoe. These boots became popular in the 1950s when the C and J Clark Company began producing them in the United Kingdom, and they were shown to the rest of the world during the 1940 Shoe Fair in Chicago, Illinois. They come in an array of colors and are normally made of suede. They are a dressier pair of boots that look great with blue, black, or even white jeans.
Loafers and Jeans
Loafers are a great choice in a dressy shoe to wear with jeans because they look very stylish with denim. This type of shoe offers a laid-back look yet an exquisite appearance. Whether you are looking for a smart casual type of outfit or even a semi-formal one, loafers with jeans can provide that for you.
Leather penny loafers are a great option if you want a more traditional appearance as they can provide a sleek and sophisticated look. Loafers come in a variety of pattern styles and are made in different materials, including suede and leather. You can choose which type of loafer you prefer based on the pair of jeans you want to wear them with and the occasion or event in which you will wear them.
Men’s Monk Strap Shoe
The Monk strap is a shoe that does not have a lacing system but is rather supported by a broad strap of leather across the vamp. If the shoe is fastened with one buckle, it is considered a single Monk strap and if it has two straps on the side, it is referred to as a double Monk strap. The straps are the replacement for the laces that other shoes have to support them.
This shoe’s name stems from the fact that monks needed a practical shoe that covered their foot and one that was durable. They also wanted a shoe that could withstand the rough terrains that they walked through and the resolution was to create the monk strap shoe, although the first ones were more of a traditional monk strap sandal that was changed up to create this amazing shoe that looks great with jeans.
Boat Shoes for Men
Boat shoes for men can be worn on a ton of occasions not just when you are riding on a boat or a yacht. While they pair well with a pair of shorts, they also look great with jeans. These shoes come in a variety of colors and can be worn with jeans that are made of blue denim or even jeans of different colors, such as red or green.
These shoes offer a refined style yet are comfortable to wear and look great with a pair of white cuffed jeans, a pastel-colored shirt, and a pair of sunglasses to top off the ensemble.
Oxford Shoes and Jeans
Oxford shoes look great with any pair of pants, including jeans. Oxfords are a classic footwear style that can take blue denim jeans from casual and laid back to sleek and sophisticated. While you can get a pair of oxfords in a variety of colors, the best ones to wear with jeans are black, brown, or burgundy.
Trainers
Trainers are a type of men’s sneaker that is fine to wear with jeans. Although when we think of sneakers we think of athletic styles with a casual look and feel there are many trainers that are much more dressy and stylish. For example, leather sneakers offer a sleek and sophisticated appearance and are the best options when pairing sneakers with jeans, especially if they are plain white or black in color.
If you want to go for a bolder look, though, you can go with a brighter color, such as red or green. You can pair up jeans with a T-shirt and jacket along with your pair of trainers for a more relaxed style but for a dressier look, you can pair your trainers with a suit and a button-up shirt with a collar or a pair of jeans with a suit jacket or blazer for a more formal occasion.
Derby Shoes with Jeans
Many people get confused about the difference between derby shoes and oxfords and it’s all in the laces. Derby shoes do not have a closed type of lacing area like Oxfords do but are a great option to wear with darker denim jeans and a blazer.
This type of shoe comes in an array of colors and while black and brown may seem to be the choices to wear with jeans to dress them up, navy and gray are very popular options also that provide a very stylish appearance that is very unique.
Brogue Oxfords
You can grab a pair of Brogue-style Oxford shoes for an even fancier look and style since they have perforated designs on them that make them very unique and a great option to dress up a pair of jeans for men.
Six FAQs About Men’s Dress Shoes to Wear with Jeans
Do formal shoes go with jeans?
Yes, many types of formal shoes, including Derby shoes, loafers, and oxfords, pair well with jeans for a more sleek and sophisticated style. They look best when the jeans are also matched with a blazer, suit jacket, or vest.
Can you wear black shoes with blue jeans?
Black dress shoes and boots look great with a pair of blue denim jeans. Black shoes are a great way to dress up appear in jeans so that they can be worn to any special occasion or event.
What kind of shoes looks good with skinny jeans?
Many different styles of shoes pair well with skinny jeans, including a pair of leather trainers, boat shoes, various types of boots, and even oxfords. Derby shoes and loafers can be worn with skinny jeans for an even dressier style.
What kind of shoes goes with straight leg jeans?
When it comes to straight-legged jeans, there are a variety of dressy shoes that will make them look classic and formal. You can pair straight leg jeans with boots, loafers, leather sneakers, or even a pair of brogues. Any of these options will give you a more refined look and style.
Which shoes suit both formal and casual wear for men?
A nice pair of Oxfords, brogues, or leather trainers are great options that men can wear with jeans that can complete a formal look or a more casual style.
Can you wear brown shoes with black pants?
The short answer to this question is yes, you can wear brown shoes with black pants but the shoes need to be the right shade of brown. A lighter shade of brown shoes will look great with a pair of black jeans. The texture of the shoe also matters when pairing brown with black.
For instance, a pair of tan hiking boots with black jeans would be a great option versus a dark brown pair, and suede shoes in a lighter brown color with black pants would pair well together.