Jeans and men’s sneakers are undoubtedly a perfect match. But jeans and dress shoes together? It may sound like the pair is breaking all the fashion, but there are foolproof ways to pull off this look.
Below are some tips that will guide you in making jeans and dress shoes work together.
Choose the right jean type and fitting
Rule number one: wear the right jeans. While you can generally categorize all jeans as casual, there are a variety of types of jeans.
For instance, men’s dress shoes don’t go well with a light wash, distressed, or jeans with holes. Also, rule out any baggy or wide jeans that will drag at the heel. These extremely casual jean styles will never work with dress shoes.
Instead, go for modern-cut jeans. These are generally tighter jeans that fit well in the waist and hips. The length matters as well — as much as possible, make sure it’s tapered up to the ankle. The goal is it should not bunch up on top of the shoes.
Finally, it’s best to opt for darker jeans shades. Ideally, you’ll never go wrong with black or dark blue jeans. Just keep in mind that there should be a contrast between the jean and shoe color to create depth in the ensemble.
Wear the right type of dress shoes
Of course, choosing the right shoe itself is just as important as choosing the right jeans.
While men’s dress shoes are generally formal, you can select a pair that has a more casual vibe. As such, it’s best to opt for slip-on style dress shoes. Some examples of these are loafers, blucher, or derby with more casual construction and vamp placement.
The general rule of thumb is to avoid high-shine shoes at the most formal end of the spectrum. The most spot-on example of this are men’s oxford shoes. Instead, go for either mid-brown or black dress shoes. The former goes best with blue-shade jeans, while the latter matches black jeans best.
Coordinate your outfit well
Finally, make sure to create balance in your outfit. Since you chose to wear dress shoes, it’s imperative to follow through with the rest of your attire.
Elevate your look by throwing in a dress shirt or a collared button-down. Wearing a simple shirt or sweatshirt will make the ensemble unbalanced. And, if you’re on the bigger side, a cut sports jacket can help add proportion to your look.
Also, ensure that all your accessories and leader match the dress shoes you picked. For instance, ensure that the color and texture of your watch and belt match your shoes.
Final thoughts
Yes, it’s possible to wear dress shoes with jeans and look fantastic! But there are some things you need to keep in mind.
Now that you know the rules, the only thing left is to follow through. Consider the tips above when opting for this ensemble, and you’ll surely make this look yours.
