Blue jeans are part of a classic look that will never go out of style. Millions of pairs of these denim-based pants can be found in closets around the world. One reason for their popularity is their versatility. If you want a clean, professional look, you can pair your jeans with a nice pair of loafers and a button-down shirt. Or, if you're going for a casual look, you can wear a pair of sneakers. Since we want to help you look good all the time, we've researched the best colors of shoes to wear with blue jeans.
Really, any color of sneakers can look good with blue jeans, depending on the rest of your outfit and the shade of the jeans. If you want a classic look that coordinates well without drawing too much attention to your shoes, try one of these colors:
- Red
- Black
- White
Or, if you want to emphasize your sneakers, go for a bright, bold shoe:
- Yellow
- Pink
- Multi-colored
The shoes you wear can make or break an outfit. Check out the guide below for examples of the best colors to pair with jeans, advice on what types of jeans work best with sneakers, and answers to other common questions. Here we go!
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Classic Colors
Some colors just look good with blue jeans all the time. The following colors will work with almost any tone of blue jeans and can be paired with most casual shirts and jackets.
Red
What's more classic than a pair of red sneakers with blue jeans? Red sneakers will give your outfit plenty of color without battling the blue in the jeans. These vibrant shoes can give an outfit color all by themselves, so you can wear a simple top without being boring. Also, red shoes can be combined with either light or dark jeans without a problem.
Click here to view these Converse on Amazon.
Click here to view these New Balance sneakers on Amazon.
Black
Black sneakers complement a wide variety of looks. They can be used to darken up a lively outfit or as a mysterious addition to a dark look. Pairing these sleek sneakers with light jeans make them stand out if that's your goal. Or, if you want the emphasis to be on other parts of your outfit, they can fade into the background.
Click here to view these sneakers on Amazon.
Click here to view these sneakers on Amazon.
White
When you think of sneakers, you probably picture some classic white canvas shoes. That's probably because they're so versatile and attractive. Match these with practically any color of shirt or jacket to create a casual look. Heads up, though: white shoes are difficult to keep clean and scuff-free.
Click here to view these sneakers on Amazon.
Click here to view these sneakers on Amazon.
Bold Colors
A popular trend right now is wearing bright, bold shoes with jeans. Blue jeans are subtle and understated, which means that they can be paired with a fun pair of sneakers without a problem. These sneakers can be used to complement the rest of your outfit or can stand alone as a statement piece.
Yellow
Yellow is such a happy color that these sneakers can brighten up even the drabbest of outfits! Contrast them with a pair of dark jeans and a plain t-shirt for a super casual look that still has plenty of color.
Click here to view these sneakers on Amazon.
Click here to view these Adidas sneakers on Amazon.
Pink
The pink sneakers in this photo immediately draw your eye. If you're going for a carefree aesthetic, these work perfectly! It doesn't matter if these match your top exactly, just make sure they don't clash.
Click here to view these sneakers on Amazon.
Click here to view these sneakers on Amazon.
Multi-Colored
Many shoes are multi-colored and are designed to stand out on their own. They might have colors that don't appear to go together but work as a certain look. If you want an easy way to make your outfit colorful, look no further than these sneakers.
The two pairs below have a lot of white in them, but also feature vibrant colors that really pop.
Click here to view these Puma sneakers on Amazon.
Click here to view these Nike sneakers on Amazon.
Alternatively, this is a black-based shoe with neon colors to contrast.
Click here to view Puma these sneakers on Amazon.
Finally, these shoes feature a host of pastel colors. They stand out but aren't overwhelming. Thus, they can be paired with almost any outfit.
Click here to view these New Balance sneakers on Amazon.
Should shoes be lighter or darker than pants?
Historically, the general rule of thumb is that your shoes should be darker than your pants. Nowadays, this rule is still in play but mostly refers to dress slacks, trousers, and other business-like looks. If you're wearing black or grey slacks, for instance, your shoes should be black. Navy trousers deserve a brown shoe and khaki pants need a darker brown pair.
When dressing casually in jeans or sweatpants, for instance, shoe color in comparison to pants is less important. Feel free to wear shoes that are lighter or darker than your jeans. Other factors such as the flow of the outfit, support of other accessories, and complementing the top are often more important than the shoe's darkness compared to the jeans.
Keep in mind, however, that if your shoes and jeans contrast drastically in color, more attention will be paid to the shoes. In a fight between colors, shoes almost always win. For instance, if you wear a pair of light blue jeans with black sneakers, the eye is quickly drawn to the shoe.
Light-colored jeans with light shoes, or dark jeans with dark shoes, are more likely to blend together. If you want your shoes to stand out, contrast them with the tone of the jeans.
What colors of sneakers go with light wash jeans?
With this in mind, decide whether or not you want your sneakers to pop against light wash jeans. If you do, go for something dark or bold, like the ones below. Black, navy blue, or dark grey will stand out. Or, go for a bright, bold color like some of the options above.
Click here to view these sneakers on Amazon.
Click here to view these sneakers on Amazon.
If you want your shoes to support your jeans instead of contrasting them, go for a lighter color. White is always a popular shoe color, though they're tough to keep clean. Light grey, tan, or light blue shoes will blend in nicely with your light wash jeans.
Click here to view these Reebok sneakers on Amazon.
Click here to view these sneakers on Amazon.
Carrying a handbag and want to know if it should match your shoes? Check out this article for advice: Should You Match Shoes And Handbag?
What jeans look best with sneakers?
When picking out jeans to go with your sneakers, prioritize the outfit's balance. What this means is that the shoes and jeans (as well as the rest of the outfit) should work together to achieve your goal. You don't want the elements of your outfit to fight against each other.
For instance, if you're wearing thin sneakers such as canvas shoes or low tops, skinny or slim-cut jeans are your best bet. A wider cut of jeans will make your feet look disproportionate and unbalanced. While this was popular at one point in time, it's now considered tacky.
Skinny or slim-cut jeans look awkward when paired with chunky high-top shoes. If you're wearing your favorite high-tops, consider wearing a straight or relaxed cut of jeans.
Jogger-cut jeans are a great way to show off the entire high-top shoe. Or, don't be afraid to roll your pant legs up a couple of times. If you go the roll-up route, make sure not to roll more than twice or the thickness will ruin the aesthetic.
Need to make your straight-leg jeans into skinny jeans? Read this article for ideas: How To Make Straight-Leg Pants Skinny (Even Without Sewing)
In Closing
One of the best parts about blue jeans is that they can go with almost any color of shoes. If you're looking for a versatile, casual look, pick out red, black, or white sneakers. For more pizzazz, go with something bolder like yellow, pink, or multi-colored.
If you want your shoes to draw the looks of the people around you, contrast them in darkness from your jeans. Make sure your jeans are the right cut and that they look balanced with your shoes.
Hopefully, this article has helped you determine which shoes go best with your blue jeans. No matter what, we hope you feel good about how you look. Good luck!
