Wearing ankle boots with jeans can be a daunting task, but with some simple guidelines, you’ll be rocking this look in no time. The key is to strike the perfect balance between edgy and elegant. Think of it as finding the sweet spot where your outfit says ‘cool girl’ rather than ‘trying too hard’. To help you achieve this flawless fusion, I’m sharing my top tips for pairing ankle boots with jeans.
From styling tricks to wardrobe must-haves, today’s guide has everything you need to know to stay ahead of the fashion curve in 2023.
Why Styling Ankle Boots with Jeans is So Confusing
Trying to style ankle boots with jeans can be a daunting task due to the numerous variables involved. To make it easier to navigate this styling dilemma, let’s break down the key factors that come into play.
Firstly, there are different types of ankle boots to consider, which can be broadly categorized into three main styles:
1. Short booties with a short shaft that doesn’t reach high up on the leg.
2. Medium-length booties with a medium-high shaft.
3.
Tall ankle boots with a high shaft that reaches higher up on the leg, often extending above the knee.
The length of the shaft can vary significantly, ranging from 3 to 8 inches in typical ankle boots. This difference is crucial when deciding how to pair them with jeans.
Another significant factor is the type of jeans themselves. From straight-leg jeans and boyfriend jeans to skinny jeans and more, there are countless ways to wear ankle boots with your favorite denim pieces.
In this post, we’ll explore all these variables in detail, providing you with a comprehensive guide on how to style ankle boots with jeans no matter what your personal preferences or fashion style may be.
What Kind of Jeans Go Best with Ankle Boots?
When it comes to styling ankle boots, the possibilities are truly endless. In fact, you likely have a combination that works beautifully already in your wardrobe, eliminating the need for an impromptu shopping spree. From straight-leg jeans to boot-cut, flared, and even skinny varieties, ankle boots can effortlessly elevate each style. Let’s begin by exploring the most popular pairing: the classic combination of ankle boots with skinny jeans.
How to Wear Ankle Boots with Skinny Jeans
When thinking about what to wear with ankle boots, many people’s go-to combination is pairing them with skinny jeans. This outfit is not only easy to recreate but also likely already has the essential component of a pair of skinny jeans in your closet. However, there are still various ways to style this classic combo. To explore these different options, let’s dive into the details of how to wear booties with skinny jeans.
Pair Cropped Skinny Jeans with Ankle Boots
While cropped skinny jeans are often associated with spring fashion, they can be easily styled to work well in the fall and winter seasons too. One way to achieve this look is by wearing boots under the jeans for a chic and effortless ensemble. A shorter, chunkier heel boot is particularly well-suited to this style.
If you’re not fond of ankle boots with cropped jeans, you can still incorporate your favorite denim into your autumn and winter wardrobe by pairing it with chunky lug sole loafers, which are currently a popular 2023 shoe trend. Many skinny jeans have evolved away from the super-skinny look, opting for a straight-leg style instead. This versatile leg type looks great when paired with ankle boots that can be tucked under the jean for added visual interest.
For an on-trend look in 2023, consider high-rise jeans like those from Abercrombie, which pair nicely with block heels. Alternatively, opt for a straight-legged jean that doesn’t cling too tightly to your ankles, allowing you to experiment with different styling options.
Tuck Your Skinny Jeans into Your Boots
Don’t worry if you have skinny jeans that are longer than you’d like – there’s an easy solution. Tucking the excess denim into ankle boots can create a stylish, on-trend look. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, this style combination is definitely achievable.
If you’re looking to make the most of your skinny jeans, straight-leg jeans are another great option for 2023.
Just remember that pairing these with short shaft ankle boots and wide-leg jeans might result in a look that’s too busy or overwhelming.
Create a Faux Cropped Skinny Jean
A simple yet effective styling hack is to roll up your skinny jeans at the ankle to create a cropped effect. This look pairs particularly well with ankle boots featuring short or medium shafts. While it may seem counterintuitive, given the abundance of various boot and jean styles, this combination can add a touch of effortless chic to your overall appearance.
Cuff Your Skinny Jeans
While cuffed jeans were once a staple combination with ankle boots, the oversized cuff has since become a dated trend. Instead, a more relaxed approach to styling is gaining popularity. The key is to create a subtle roll that adds texture and visual interest to your outfit. This can be achieved by rolling the hem of your jeans slightly, giving them a messy, undone look. This style works just as well with flat ankle boots like combat boots, which remain a prominent fashion trend.
When it comes to pairing boots with jeans, there are no hard and fast rules. You can wear ankle boots with skinny jeans that are tucked in, rolled under or that hit at the ankle. The same applies for straight-leg jeans. However, if your booties are short, it’s best not to tuck them in. Conversely, taller booties look best when paired with tucked-in skinny jeans.
How to Wear Ankle Booties with Straight-Leg Jeans
Straight leg jeans occupy a unique space in the world of denim, neither as narrow as skinny jeans nor as wide as traditional wide-leg styles. Instead, they offer a consistent leg width that’s perfect for pairing with ankle boots. One of the key features of straight leg jeans is their ability to be worn as-is without needing to cuff or roll them up. This makes them a great choice for creating easy and effortless outfits.
Both Merrick from Merrick’s Art and Amy from Straight A Style showcase the versatility of straight leg jeans by pairing them with ankle boots that hit right at the ankle. However, you don’t need to have short ankle boots to make this look work – medium and tall booties can also be paired with straight-leg jeans. If you’re looking for inspiration, consider pairing black jeans with brown ankle boots that feature a medium shaft.
The grazing effect created by the jeans brushing against the top of the boots adds a stylish touch. Additionally, if you have straight-leg jeans that are longer than ankle length, you can easily pair them with booties of any height.
Styling Ankle Boots with Wide Leg Jeans
The resurgence of high-waisted wide leg jeans has left me beaming with joy! This timeless style is a masterclass in versatility, effortlessly flattering most body types while being a cinch to style. One of the greatest things about pairing these jeans with ankle boots is that it requires zero effort – simply slip on your favorite boot and you’re good to go, without any need for rolling, tucking or cropping. And if you think white jeans don’t mix well with booties, think again!
A wide-leg white jean looks stunning when paired with a pair of boots. Just remember to ensure the hem of your jeans hits at or around the bottom of the boot, avoiding any awkward dragging on the floor. This styling wisdom applies not just to wide-leg jeans but also their close relatives, including bootcut and flared jeans. And if you’ve got a cropped version in your wardrobe, we’ll get to that later.
How to Wear Booties with a Cropped Wide Leg Jean
When it comes to fashion trends this season, one that’s gaining popularity is pairing booties with cropped wide-leg jeans. This look is particularly well-suited for medium or tall ankle boots, which create a chic and stylish ensemble when paired with the flared silhouette of the jeans. The combination of a kitten heel bootie and cropped wide-leg jeans results in a sophisticated and polished appearance.
For my own personal style, I enjoy pairing high-waisted cropped Levi’s with both combat boots and medium-shaft ankle boots for a rugged yet refined look. If you’re not a fan of the combat boots trend, you can easily substitute them with flat boots to achieve a more understated aesthetic. It’s worth noting that while showing a hint of ankle can be flattering, it’s generally best to avoid pairing these jeans with short ankle boots in order to maintain a balanced and tasteful look.
More Ankle Boots with Jeans Outfits
If you’re craving more ankle boot outfit ideas, I’ve got a few inspiration-packed options to share.
The frayed hem of these straight-ankle-cropped jeans adds a touch of edge when paired with medium-shaft black booties and a hint of skin-showing denim. For a cleaner look, swap the fringe hem for these MOTHER jeans and pair them with a bodysuit and pointed-toe ankle boots – a chic combo perfect for the over-30 crowd looking to ease into the mom jeans + booties trend.
2023’s kick flare jeans are having their moment in the spotlight, and they look fantastic styled with ankle boots. Coated flare boot-cut jeans are another hot commodity right now, pairing well with pointed-toe boots for a stylish ensemble.
Cropped black skinny jeans offer a fresh alternative, looking great when paired with patent combat boots or Chelsea boots, flat boots, or short ankle boots with a stiletto heel – versatility at its finest.
If you love sock booties, try pairing them with a high-low hem jean like Monic of Simply Sutter’s blog recommends. And if you’re eager to join the medium shaft boot trend this fall, follow the styling tips above! These affordable options are now on sale for under $40.
What other style queries do you have? Share your favorite way to wear boots with jeans in the comments below!