While dress shoes and jeans are on opposite sides of the formality scale, they can actually be paired together in a number of different varieties of stylish outfits–so long as a few key criteria are kept in mind. Here’s our guide to wearing them well!
You may be unsure of how to properly style yourself when wearing dress shoes and jeans, but it is more than possible to pull off wearing them together while maintaining some personality and a sense of professionalism. However, simply choosing any dress shoes with any jeans you might happen to have in your closet won’t work. There are a few key things to look out for to make sure that your end result looks clean-cut and effortless.
Jeans: Choose The Right Style, Fit & Color
Correct Style
The style of the jeans that we’re going to be looking for are clean-cut, timeless, preferably in a dark wash. A few dress shoes to consider wearing with these jeans would be derbies, monk straps, loafers, or even brogues. Desert boots or chukka boots could also be considered for more casual occasions.
Correct Fit
First and foremost, the jeans should properly fit the wearer’s body type. Learn what jeans flatter you best by checking our guide here.
Correct Color
The goal is to make sure that the colors of the shoes and jeans that you choose don’t detract from the rest of your outfit. We really want to make sure that the color of both the dress shoes and the jeans will complement one another so it’s very important to select a very versatile color of the shoe and very neutral or dark color in your jeans.
Style, Fit & Color Mistakes for Denim & Dress Shoes
Inconsistent Style
Regarding style, the incorrect way to go about doing this would be to wear jeans that are inconsistent with the style of your shoes. For example, wearing jeans in a modern style but dress shoes that happen to look much more classic. This causes an onlooker to believe that some elements of your outfit might have been an afterthought, as the styles do not complement one another.
You really want to avoid jeans that are distressed and highly embellished. Jeans that have overtly large pockets or even pocket details. Also, try to avoid jeans that have very large pronounced contrast stitching. It might seem obvious but we also really want to avoid wearing patent leather evening dress shoes or even some kind of a hybrid shoe. These are pretty popular right now but this will detract from the rest of the outfit.
Incorrect Fit
It’s important to avoid ill-fitting and flattering jeans that are either too loose or far too tight. Wearing jeans that are too short or far too long is also incorrect. You should also avoid jeans that are going to sit too low on your waistline. This will become an issue when you start tucking in your shirt and wearing a belt. If you’re not wearing a sport coat or a sweater to cover your waistline, you might notice that your untucked shirt might become exposed rather quickly.
Incorrect Color
Try to avoid jeans and non-neutral colors with a lot of fading or whiskering over the thigh and/or seat area. It’s very important to stay consistent with the general style of your outfit. If you don’t, certain elements of your outfit will stand out for all the wrong reasons. We want to make sure that you remain as the focus. The clothing is here to compliment you, not absorb all the attention.
Common Misconceptions of the Dress Shirt & Jeans Combination
Myth #1: Dress shoes work with and elevate any jeans.
Wearing any style of jeans in and outfit and just elevate its style with a pair of dress shoes would not work. In fact, this is not accurate. Just because a pair of shoes is listed as dress shoes doesn’t indicate that they should be worn with that particular outfit and in the same way, not all jeans will work for all situations, personalities, or body types.
Do your best to stay away from boot cut jeans and instead, look for a pair that is as tapered as your body type will allow. The lack of excess fabric found in your jeans will in fact give your outfit a very clean finish unless however, you are a very muscular man with larger legs in which case you may need to look for a more regular fit.
Myth #2: You should wear short and narrow jeans (like a hipster) to look stylish.
As mentioned earlier, a slim fit is ideal but in fact, you should only wear things as slim as your body type will allow. Don’t follow trends, but pay attention to what is really flattering for your physique.
Myth #3: Shoes that look like dress shoes will always work.
Actually, it’s very important that you invest in as good of a pair of dress shoes as you can afford as opposed to getting faux leather or plastic looking shoes that might be coming from a fast-fashion brand. A majority of your outfit with jeans may lean more casual, so wearing good quality leather shoes will help raise the standard of your entire outfit.
Outfit Ideas for Dress Shoes & Jeans
1. Sport Coat and Dress Shirt
This is one of the most popular combinations men wear. If you have proper fitting sport coat options at your disposal, this outfit will be fairly simple to put together. The key here is to make sure that the color selection is accurate and that the patterns, whether that be found in your shirt your pocket square, or your jacket are complementing one another and not competing.
2. Turtleneck and Sport Coat
This outfit is also fairly simple to pull off but is best suited for a colder season. If you currently don’t own any turtlenecks, I would recommend that you start looking for some in neutral colors in either merino wool or a cashmere blend. Try to find some that are also not too bulky because it’s important to maintain some sense of freedom of movement underneath your sport coat.
3. Sweater and Dress Shirt
The dark wash jeans you’re wearing are going to pair nicely with a variety of different sweater colors. The simplest way to pull off this outfit is to start out with solid colored sweaters. This is going to look great over both pattern or solid colored shirts. Try to steer clear of sweaters that are too bulky. If you don’t plan on wearing a sport coat with this outfit, try looking for a shawl-collared sweater as well.
Bonus Tips
Here a few extra tips to make sure that your experience wearing jeans with your dress shoes goes off without a hitch.
1. Don’t Go Sockless
The noses of the entire world will thank you, but seriously, without the ability to breathe your feet will begin to smell and sweat and can possibly ruin the interior of your shoes. It’s not a good thing. At the very least, throw on a pair of no-show socks and keep your sweaty feet at bay.
2. Don’t Wear A Solid Black or White Socks
The white socks will look quite distracting and almost as though they are missing their sneaker counterparts while wearing black socks might look too formal or dressy with this outfit with jeans. Instead, start by looking for a unique color and or pattern to add some life to your ankles. For some great sock options, check out the Fort Belvedere shop here.
3. Try To Add Some Contrast
It’s important to remember that a little contrast can actually go a long way. With your dress shoes, it’s best to opt for a shade of brown as that’s going to offer you the most versatility. When it comes to other shoe colors, you can consider blue, gray, and many others but a shade of brown will offer you the most options.
4. Accessorize Your Outfit
To add more personality into your dress shoes and jeans outfit combination, you can always add a classic watch, a signet ring, a pocket square, or even a signature scent.
Conclusion
Even though many believe they don’t dit well together, you can absolutely wear dress shoes with your jeans. However, there are some things to avoid to make sure that your entire outfit looks effortless and timeless. Also, remember that not all dress shoes are going to look good with all jeans. The dress shoes should complement and not compete with the rest of your outfit.
Would you wear dress shoes and jeans in a single outfit? Is it a stylish pairing overall? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!
Outfit Rundown
I’m wearing a tan and white plaid sport coat along with a burgundy sweater over a white dress shirt and then I’m pairing that with a really unique burgundy paisley print pocket square from Fort Belvedere. I’m pairing that against a dark wash indigo slim fit denim and some suede leather dress shoes. I’m also wearing a navy blue and burgundy shadow stripe Fort Belvedere pair of socks as well to finish off the entire look and to tie in nicely with the Fort Belvedere pocket square and my burgundy sweater. I could wear this entire outfit with a pair of dark brown, suede chukka boots as well.
“How to pair dress shoes with jeans”?
I do not own a single pair of jeans. Nothing chinos, corduroy trousers or flannels couldn’t do…
Indeed. My answer to the title question was “Don’t!”
A friend of mine told me that when he was a small boy, he asked his father, whose daily wear was a suit or at least a sport coat and dress pants, “Dad, how come you never wear jeans?” His father replied, “Because I’m not a farmer.”
Each to his own. I own several pair of jeans, but I maybe wear them 2-3 times a year. Kyle on the other hands wears them more often… each to his own.
Style is a subjective thing, and we all have to develop our own. We want to show people what men have done historically, why they did it, but also what you can do today, and how things are perceived by people around you.
Thoroughly disagree with many comments, though I completely understand where everyone is coming from, but I love and take pride in wearing my jeans. They are a true American classic that has become popular at all income levels around the world. The Smithsonian even keeps some on display in various museums. They are truly a classic, in my opinion, and for my style, anyway. Don’t worry, not burning my suits here or anything haha
I should also note that any number of famous leaders and classically dressed performers have worn jeans and written extensively on them. Reagan has multiple pages on jeans and fitting them and breaking them in written in his presidential daily journals.
When I met Biden in the Georgetown Brooks Brothers during the second Obama presidential term, he and Hunter were both in jeans and vests. One was a Patagonia vest, one was a Barbour. Joe had the Barbour under his sport coat.
I think its ok for dress to evolve. As many founding fathers and other historical figures have noted in various wordings throughout history, be flexible in dress, not in principles.
It is through evolution of style and method we grow stronger, stagnation we die faster – Me.
Hi Ben,
You and me both. I think there’s a time and place for everything and it boils down to respecting the dress code whether written or not. The same way one wouldn’t wear jeans to the a church service or the office or a black tie event, I also wouldn’t be dressing in business formal or black tie for say a casual barbecue with my mates or going to the cinema at the weekend; I’d be more likely to opt for jeans and a polo shirt/Henley/t-shirt even.
I am glad we are having a good conversation here :)
Here’s how: put the jeans on the pants hanger of your valet. Place the dress shoes on the shoe rack portion of your valet. Then put on the jeans, leave the dress shoes where they are, and put anything but dress shoes on your feet when you are wearing jeans, which is something a sharp dressed man only wears when he’s hosing out the portable toilet left on his property by a forgetful construction crew.
This article is the kind of nonsense I would expect from Alpha M, or RMRS on a bad day. Bitte, nimmer wieder Sven. Your site is way better than this sort of thing.
Would a tan penny loafer work with a pair of dark selvedge denim ?
Hi Michael! Yes it would, brown (or tan) is a versatile shoe color and could work with your dark selvedge denims.
I love jeans (grew up in the 60’s and lived in San Francisco and Southern California). Still wear them more often than not. But I still remember Elis Presley’s description of jeans: “Mississippi poor boy field worker pants.” I proudly wear my Mississippi poor boy field worker pants as much as I can get away with, and love fall and winter when I can pair them with my classic Beach Boys Pendleton long sleeve shirts and boat shoes (and boat drinks!).
Hey Don, that outfit combination sounds comfy and fun (with the boat drinks!) Thank you for sharing!
It seems some education is in order.
Hardy anyone in this comment section seems to have a clue what a gentleman is. Being a gentleman has nothing to do with the way one dresses or talks. Being a gentleman is about manners and ones approach to life itself. A gentleman should be respectful and friendly and should under no circumstances look down upon other people or the way these people dress. Especially not if these other people are perfectly polite. You all should be ashamed, looking down on a garment you don’t like with such disdain and judging people by something so trivial as wether they wear jeans or not. Learn what being a gentleman is and become one yourselves before lecturing others.
Completely agree with your sentiments, well made.
Fashion, style and various aspects of our lives are not frozen in the 1930’s and constantly evolve.
Recommendations on style are interesting and welcome.
Snobbery and ridicule of someone’s dress choices are not part of being a gentleman which I aspire to be.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! While we don’t wear jeans often, the goal of this video was to offer some tips on how to look dapper if the combination of jeans and dress shoes appeals to you, which clearly doesn’t resonate with everyone. While we agree that judging others is not the hallmark of a gentleman, and we appreciate your intent, we find that identifying as a gentleman must come from within, and policing the behavior of others is usually futile.
Well said STWFF. After what I’ve seen in the workplace, I thought women were meant to be critical and judgemental ones but comments on this article have been a real eye opener. Dressing well is a part of being a gentleman but IS just one part. To me, it demonstrates a mark of respect to both oneself and those around you. Eg. Dressing in a smart but conservative dark suit and conservative tie plus proper dress shoes for a funeral shows that you respect both the solemnity and formality of the occasion; you also blend in, which to me is another way of showing respect – dressing too casually or in loud flashy clothes draws attention to oneself making it about oneself rather than about the deceased and their family.
In saying this, I agree that looking down on other peoples’ personal preferences for clothing is very ungentlemanly behaviour. I’d also like to add that like with all clothes, there’s a time and place for everything. Furthermore, while casual I don’t think jeans are limited to farm workers as some readers are saying.
Let’s see, Beau Brummel saying “you call that thing a coat?” Who would ever accuse the Beau of being a gentleman? Anybody? (Seeing lots of hands raised). Hey, thanks for the lecture,anyway.
Just becsuse someone says its ok to wear dress shoes with jeans doesn’t make it right.
The mens clothing business has really taken a strong turn for the worst. Its not casual Friday its slop ass slack. If the designers had it their way men would be in dresses.
Men need to dress like men and not this skinny candy ass look everyone seems to be pushing. For crying out loud, wear a sport coat that fits you and doesn’t look 4 sizes too small.
It’s not about someone giving permission to wear this combination nor is about right or wrong. It’s about presenting readers with different options and combinations to give them inspiration for developing their own style, building up their wardrobe and levelling up their style. For some men, getting them to wear footwear that isn’t a sneaker (not leather dress sneakers but sport shoes) or flip flops is a massive step, especially those who live in jeans and cargo shorts.
While I get where you’re coming from about the ‘skinny ass candy’ look (I particularly loathe the look of skinny jeans and don’t think they look right with dress shoes) I would argue that neat straight legged jeans (dark wash indigo or black) with the right dress shoes (I wouldn’t wear say, black whole cut Oxfords but a less formal pair like Oxfords with broguing or monk/double monk straps) can look stylish in the right setting. Eg. Same way I wouldn’t wear this combo to a black tie event, I also wouldn’t wear black tie to dinner at a family restaurant as it’d be too formal. For this occasion, though, the aforementioned neat jeans and dress shoes with a button down shirt or a dress shirt with sweater or sports coat would be as appropriate as say chinos, cords or dress pants. I wouldn’t, however, wear say a t-shirt on top as it’s too casual and doesn’t sufficiently balance formality with informality.
Well said Master of Solo Travels.
Ernest Hemingway: “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man, true nobility is being superior to your former self.”
I’ll definitely keep that one for a future reference.
Agree. I used to wear jeans.
Lol
Love that quote, thanks for sharing.
I agree with most of the replies. Wearing dress shoes with jeans would be like tuging on “superman’s cape” while the same time arguing with your wife or girlfrend about where to go to eat out. It will turn out bad for you either way! Its better to say nothing and leave the dress shoes on the shelf!
A bit late to the party, but I’ll throw my pair o’ pennies in the pot. There are a few times I’ll wear jeans outside of yardwork and welding. Small family get-togethers and grocery shopping, if I’m not already wearing my standard chinos/cords/slacks/etc when I go to such things. It all depends on the where, when, why, and with whom. Yes, I wear nice shoes and a collared shirt with the jeans for those things, and a sweater if the weather permits. And when the jeans get worn to the point where I wouldn’t, they are for yardwork/welding only.
Jeans with dress shoes? Sure*.
*- as mentioned in the article, be VERY picky about the jeans and shoes.