How to Wear Boots with Jeans: Perfect Pairings


What’s one of the best things about dropping temps and shorter days? Getting to reunite boots with jeans—the ultimate dynamic duo. From different styles of boots to countless cuts of jeans, there are enough combinations to last for months. But let’s slow down for a second. You might be wondering how to wear boots with jeans. Good news, you’ve come to the right place. Keep scrolling to discover our favorite ways to wear boots with jeans.

How to Wear Ankle Boots with Jeans

The answer to how to wear ankle boots with jeans is easy: any and every way your heart desires. Ankle boots are that three-season closet staple that never let you down. Whether walking through freshly fallen leaves or jumping over puddles of melting snow, ankle boots are sweet to your feet. The best part about these bad boys? You can wear them with any style of jeans. All it takes is finding the right fit and some stylish touches. Here are our top tips on wearing ankle boots with jeans.

Ankle Boots with Straight-Leg Jeans

Straight-leg jeans are a favorite style for fall 2021 women’s fashion trends, so it’s no surprise they’re a shoe-in to wear with ankle boots.The key to hacking how to wear ankle boots with straight-leg jeans is finding the right inseam. You might have guessed it, but ankle boots stop at, well, your ankles. So, find a pair of straight-leg denim that complement this height instead of competing with it. Search for jeans that stop an inch or two above the top of your boots. This will keep all eyes on your fabulous footwear. 

Since you’re opting for a cropped-length jean, be adventurous with your ankle boot choices. While you can never go wrong with a classic leather pair, why not take a walk on the wild side? Think a chic zebra print pair or a vegan leather style in an enticing emerald shade. If you do choose to go with a statement shoe, keep your jean wash classic.

Stylist Tip: If having a gap between your straight-leg jeans and your ankle boots leaves your shins feeling chilly, add a pair of crew or ankle socks. Pick out a neutral shade like chestnut or heathered grey to easily match your ensemble. Or, if you’re a footwear fashionista, dare to wear a pop of color like merlot or mustard.

Ankle Boots with Skinny Jeans

If the ultra-trendy straight-leg fit isn’t your speed, don’t worry, skinny jeans are still cool in the boot world. When pondering how to wear ankle boots with skinny jeans, you might hit a dilemma. The age-old question: to tuck or not to tuck your jeans. Our vote? Skip the tuck for a trendy take on boots and skinny jeans. Similar to wearing your ankle boots with straight-leg jeans, we recommend looking for ankle length or cropped skinnies.

If you feel your skinny jeans bunching up when you pair them with ankle boots, try a cuff. Fold the hem of your pants outwards once or twice for a polished look with some lived-in panache. When taking your ankle boots and skinnies to a professional setting, cuff your pants inwards to avoid showing any seams. Next up is our take on how to style ankle boots with skinny jean’s alter ego: wide-leg jeans.

Ankle Boots with Wide-Leg Jeans

When feeling stumped on how to wear ankle boots, don’t be afraid to stretch your comfort zone. Wide-leg jeans are having a style renaissance, and you can bet your boots we love partnering them with ankle booties. You may be thinking, wait, won’t wide-leg jeans cover my ankle boots? Enter the kick-flare wide-leg pant. If this term hasn’t popped up in your fashion vocabulary, here’s a quick explainer. Kick-flare pants are part of the wide-leg pant trend with a hem that ends somewhere between your ankle and knee. These shin-length styles will not only show off your shoes, but also add some retro 70s fashion vibes to your look. 

To fully embrace this throwback trend, go for an acid-wash pair of kick-flares and brown suede ankle boots. Or, amp up the boho style details with embroidered denim and platform ankle boots. Add a cropped sweater with puffy sleeves, and you’re ready to take on chilly days in any decade. Voilá, you’ve aced ankle boots 101. Now let’s up the ankle boot ante with combat boots.

How to Wear Combat Boots with Jeans

Good news, combat boot lovers. You don’t have to leave your heavy metal days behind. Combat boots are at the height of fashion and here to stay. These industrial-inspired shoes are not only great for keeping your feet protected through weather or a mosh pit. They also come in a variety of styles. From classic black leather to ribbed-knit uppers or printed vinyl, there’s a pair just waiting for you to lace up. 

If you’re curious about how to wear combat boots with jeans, here’s a quick go-to. For an edgy look, experiment with scissor-hem skinnies in dark indigo or black partnered with combat boots. Serve a little mix-and-match magic by pairing your boots with a moto jacket. On the other hand, if you like more color in your outfits, contrast your boots with straight-cut pastel jeans and a romantic ruffled top. After all, what’s more punk-rock than wearing whatever you want?

How to Wear Chelsea Boots with Jeans

Hear that? It’s London Calling to tell you how to wear boots with jeans. Chelsea boots to be exact. What is a Chelsea boot, you ask? They are an English-originating style of ankle boots with a characteristic knit panel on the sides. For a quick history lesson, these boots go back as far as the Victorian era. However, they gained their name and popularity from the trendy and well-off Chelsea neighborhood in London during the 50s and 60s. In fact, when you think of Chelsea boots, you might think of fashion icons like Jean Shrimpton and The Rolling Stones wearing them. In the mood to feel mod? Grab a pair of jeans and let’s get to styling those quintessential Chelsea boots.

Styling Chelsea Boots with Jeans: Vintage Vibes

When thinking about how to style Chelsea boots with jeans, you can start with some of the same ankle boot tips. A cropped jean flatters Chelsea boots since they showcase the signature knit panel detail. Straight, skinny and kick-flare silhouettes look right at home with this boot. For a moody, vintage vibe, look for a lug sole pair. Then, wear them with ripped jeans and your go-to band tee. Now you’re ready to rock, London style.

Polished and Preppy with Chelsea Boots and Jeans

On the other hand, Chelsea boots also complement a preppy aesthetic. To nail this nobby look, go with true-blue jeans in a slim or skinny fit. If your jeans are long enough, try tucking them into your boots. The knit panel of the Chelsea boots will keep your jeans in place and match the tailored silhouette. Punch up this posh ensemble with a coordinating striped sweater and belt. Or, layer up in a button-down and rugged cargo jacket on top. And just like that, you’re a pro of all things Chelsea boots and denim.

Stylist Tip: Did you know that Chelsea boots come in more materials than just faux and authentic leather? If you’re looking for an ankle-height rain shoe, a rubber Chelsea boot is just your speed. Channel your inner Morton’s salt girl with a color-coordinating rain jacket and hat to keep the storm clouds at bay. For heavier rainfall or snow days, swap for a pair of duck boots.

How to Wear Duck Boots with Jeans

Do cold seasons mean rain, sleet or snow for you? If so, you might be wondering how to wear duck boots with jeans. Duck boots are durable, weather resistant boots usually made with a leather upper and rubber lower. The rubber point is perfect for trekking mountain terrain or keeping your balance on black ice in the city. Your feet will stay dry and your outfit will have a rugged, outdoorsy twist. Fashionable and functional? We call that a win-win.

Straight-Leg Jeans and Duck Boots

The same way straight-fit jeans were the perfect answer for how to wear boots with jeans, so too, with duck boots. In fact, duck boots and straight-leg jeans are perfect for capturing the wintry cabincore trend. While some cabincore styles focus on knit bottoms, jeans are just as essential, especially when braving the elements outdoors. Slip on a pair of straight-leg jeans and grab your fuzziest socks to wear under your boots. Prepare for a Thoreau-inspired nature walk by bundling up with a thermal base layer and a teddy bear jacket on top. Trap in all your body heat with a marled knit beanie and scarf and take in the wonders of the season.

Skinny Jeans and Duck Boots

Calling all skinny denim heads—it’s time to learn how to wear duck boots with skinny jeans. Since duck boots are meant to keep out any weather, you can definitely get away with tucking skinny jeans into your boots. In fact, you can even tuck your jeans into your cuddly socks. However, we know duck boots are too cute to only wear for inclement weather. Take them with your skinny jeans anytime you’ll be outdoors. Wondering what to wear apple picking? Try a pair of authentic wash skinnies with these boots and get to picking in a plaid henley. But your ankles can’t get all the attention. It’s time to figure out what to do with tall boots and jeans.

How To Wear Tall Boots with Jeans

We’ve covered some stylish ideas about how to wear boots with jeans, but tall boots sometimes play by a different set of rules. Tall boots almost always go with jeans tucked into them. You can also wear bootcut or wide-leg pants over them. But to flaunt your mile-high footwear friends, it’s best to tuck in a pair of skinnies. Tall boots easily bring chic-style into the winter season. Get ready for a date night by pulling on a black leather pair over your go-to skinny jeans. Partner it with a bodysuit with playful details like a one-shoulder cut-out or bell sleeves. All that’s missing is a bit of sparkle. Whether you reach for a pendant necklace or teardrop earrings, you’ll be dripping in elegant attitude if you wear pearls.

Stylist Tip: Update your tall boot game with a pair of over-the-knee boots. This longer length gives you instant high-fashion style points without having to overthink your outfit. 

Convinced that boots and jeans are a girl’s best friend? Our style experts are ready to help find your perfect pairing. Take your style quiz, order a Fix and don’t forget to ask your stylist for cute, seasonal outfits with jeans and boots. Relax and receive 5 items that you can try on comfortably at home. Shipping and returns are always free to boot.

A New Way To Shop

Stitch Fix connects you with personal Stylists to send you looks you’ll love.

Get Your Fix

Ready to upgrade your look with expert fashion advice?

Take your style quiz

Want more tips, trends & insider news? Follow @stitchfix on Instagram