Skip to main content

How to style men’s boots with jeans: Top picks for every look

How to pair your favorite footwear with jeans

man wearing short timberland boots with jeans
Erik Brolin/Unsplash / Unsplash

No matter the season, there’s no denying that boots are some of the best ways to complete a denim outfit. Sturdy and quality boots can take you to any event and pair well with almost any closet. However, picking out the best men’s boots for your jeans can be a struggle, especially when dealing with the numerous styles available. While these are easy-to-style options, finding the right boot can make or break your look. While the types of jeans you choose are an important factor in making the decision, ultimately it’s best to know which types of boots go with various jeans. Whether skinny or straight jeans, the following boots are the best for completing your look and make for a safe bet in any wardrobe.

Cowboy boots

close up on black cowboy boots
Thursday Boots / Thursday Boots

With the numerous Western-inspired trends that have infiltrated the trends, it’s no secret that cowboy boots have become a regular footwear option. While cowboy boots are often seen as too niche or specific to a region, they’re a great choice for those looking to add ornate and rugged details to their look. Going back to the basics of styling, cowboy boots have always been the best partner to wear with denim. While this classic pairing has seen variations throughout the seasons, there’s no doubt that cowboy boots pair well with any jeans. Whether it’s a pair of straight jeans paired with a taller cowboy boot or a pair of slim-fitting denim with short cowboy boots, this pairing is the ultimate classic. 

Recommended Videos

Chukka Boots

Close-up of person wearing chukka boots
Josh Sorenson / Pexels

Considered one of the most casual boots, the chukka boot is a short shoe that pairs perfectly with any style. Because of its simple and sleek nature, the chukka boot is ideal for your jean outfits. While there are plenty of boot materials, the suede chukka boot tends to be the easiest to style for casual attire. When pairing your chukka boots with your jeans, ensure your jeans fit comfortably over the top of your boots. While they don’t need to hang excessively over, tucking your jeans into your boots is considered a faux pas, even if you have the room. For slim-fitting jeans, ensure you pair your chukka boots with a length that hits right above the top of the boot, for the sleekest and most stylish look.

Chelsea Boots

man wearing brown chelsea boots
Sean Foster/Unsplash / Unsplash

As one of the most versatile footwear options available, Chelsea boots are a must-have shoe for any closet. Whether you’re looking to dress up or down, the Chelsea boot can help you complete your look. As with most boots, the material you pick will help elevate or dress down your outfit. Those looking to pair their jeans with a dressier boot can opt for a leather Chelsea boot that will help add some sleekness to your attire. Chelsea boots and jeans are an iconic and timeless pair that will give you plenty of options when getting dressed. If you’re looking for the ultimate versatility, opt for a neutral-colored boot with medium to dark wash jeans for an outfit that can easily serve for day or night.

Desert Boots

Clarks Desert boots in beeswax
Clarks / Clarks

Although desert boots are considered a subsect of chukka boots, not all chukka boots are desert boots. Unlike the typical chukka boots, desert boots tend to have a crepe rubber sole. As a type of chukka boot, these boots are casual footwear that fits any jeans. Adding a rubber sole helps dress down the boot, making it optimal for any casual outfit you have planned while maintaining the same level of style. Although you tend to find desert boots made of suede material, you can opt for a leather pair for a dressy, everyday outfit.

Heritage and work boots

lineup of Tecovas new work boots on top of construction truck
Tecovas / Tecovas

For those who work in nature, it’s no secret that heritage and work boots are the must-have footwear for safety and practicality. However, when it comes to styling boots with jeans, heritage, and work boots are among the best for getting the ultimate rugged look. For a more authentic and robust appearance, heritage boots and raw, unstyled denim will give you a more seamless look. Pairing it with simple layers like a white t-shirt and flannel will provide an unfussy and casual style. While made with the ultimate protection in mind, heritage, and work boots also offer extra comfort to those wanting more support in their everyday shoe.

Moc toe boots

two leather timberland boots
Timberland / Timberland

A bulky type of work boots, moc toe boots are versatile shoes that can easily be dressed up or down. For those looking for a casual, rugged look, moc toe boots offer the opportunity to get the style without wearing a tall boot. While considered a work boot, the moc toe can easily be used for everyday wear along with your denim. If you want to add flair to your look, pair your moc toe boots with ripped or printed jeans. Those looking for comfortable yet stylish boots can find the right balance with moc toe boots.

Suede boots

man wearing brown suede boots with blue jeans
Tecovas / Tecovas

While all materials work seamlessly with denim, the suede fabric is the best to pair with denim. The texturized look and feel of the material against the contrast against denim material give your look an extra depth to upgrade your look. No matter the type of boots you choose, suede boots are perfect for your jeans for a sleek, casual outfit. Although suede shoes tend to require care to keep them looking new, they’re the ideal shoe to add to your closet rotation.

Topics
Leslie Leon
Leslie is a Los Angeles-based writer and content creator. She is always researching and finding the latest fashion trends…
I wore Men’s Wearhouse every day for a week — here’s what I discovered
Here are my thoughts on one of the biggest menswear destinations on the market
Man in Men's Wearhouse Blue Suit

I have always been a guy that loved a good suit. As a matter of fact, at one point, I was only comfortable in suits, and I had to get out of my comfort zone to elevate my streetwear and casual looks. I recognize that is the opposite of most people; welcome to my world. Virtually everything I do is the opposite of the rest of the population. So, when I needed to buy a new suit, I started researching, and one place kept coming up in the recommendations and the Google searches: Men's Wearhouse. I wanted something upscale, something with a little more punch. And if I am being honest, I always felt like Men's Wearhouse was that place you went to if you needed to rent a tux for prom or a wedding or if you needed a suit really quick. But now that I have spent over a decade in the industry, I gave it another chance and decided to wear the brand every day for a week to discover once and for all if Men's Wearhouse is worth it.
Tailored clothing

When considering , you almost always go right to their tailored offerings. Of course, as a man who loves suits, I love to wear them as often as possible, so I am going to wear a suit or some kind of tailored garment every day to work. Something about them simply makes me feel better. Here is how they looked during my week.
Custom Monday

Read more
Step up your shoe game: How to clean white shoes for a crisp look every time
man wearing white sneakers

Regardless of the trends, white shoes remain one of the most timeless and versatile options. Whether it's a slim white sneaker or a chunky white design, these shoes are the ultimate staple in your wardrobe. There’s no need to sacrifice your look for a white sneaker between the various materials they come in. Choose leather, canvas, or suede for the shoe that best suits your wardrobe and lifestyle. While each material has pros and cons, all options have one common characteristic.

The white sneaker, while the sleekest hue, is also the tone that will show the most dirt. No matter how you use a white shoe, this color is bound to show every scruff, dirt, or stain. Keeping these shoes in top shape will help elevate your look and keep your outfit fresh and clean. With the following tips, you can ensure your white shoes look as new as the day you first opened them. 
How to clean white leather shoes

Read more
nonnative remixes ASICS’s Y2K trail boot with style
nonnative, ASICS release new boot
nonnative boot among dirt

With many brands joining forces for exciting collaborations, it’s no secret that many look into the archives for a design to revive. Following last year’s collaborative design, nonnative and ASICS have again reached into the brand’s retro designs to create an innovative look that fuses modern and classic. Joining the trend of retro designs, this new release is about a rugged yet sleek hiking boot that won’t go out of style. While different than what you may expect from ASICS, this release is a statement moment that will look great on the trails. Whether you wear them for an urban stroll or a quiet nature hike, this collaborative design is a multiuse silhouette that works for any closet. 
ASICS × nonnative “GEL-YETITOKYO HI GTX”

Inspired by ASICS’ Gel-Yeti boot released in 2000, both brands have gone rugged for their newest partnership that’s all about timeless style and practicality. Crafted with brown suede and equipped with GORE-TEX, this boot has a sophisticated look with the protection needed to face nature. The added toggled lacing system adds prominence to the silhouette, with a high visual impact in the front of the boot. Subtle branding can be found on the front shin section of the upper for an earthy and minimalist look. Adding to the practicality, this boot also comes with a rugged traction pattern for advanced grip. This mid-rise boot is ready for any surface, even if you use it to complete your outfit. Available for $260 via ASICS’ and nonnative web stores, this boot is perfect for thrill seekers looking to add stability and style to their wardrobe.

Read more