If jeans are your default, you probably know the problem: reliable piece, easy to reach for, but after a while the outfits start to blur together. These are seven solid answers to what to wear with jeans, from quick grab-and-go combinations to things that work for more put-together occasions.
What to wear with jeans: 7 pairings that hold up
For more style ideas, check out the Fashion section.
1. Ballet flats
Ballet flats are one of the easier ways to lift a jeans outfit without adding formality. They work particularly well with flare-leg denim, where the clean, low-profile shape at the ankle complements the wider hem. A structured bag keeps the look from veering too casual.
2. Crewneck sweaters
A crewneck sweater over a plain white T-shirt with jeans consistently works. It reads relaxed but considered, and the 90s reference is obvious enough to feel intentional rather than accidental. Chunky loafers or clean sneakers both work depending on the rest of the outfit.
3. Cropped jackets
Jeans and a cropped jacket are a better combination than they get credit for, especially for situations that feel slightly too dressed-up for plain denim. A striped top underneath keeps it casual; suede flats and a structured bag add enough to take it somewhere.
4. Pointed-toe heels
Pointed-toe heels do two things with jeans: they make the outfit feel more deliberate, and they elongate the leg, which helps with relaxed or wide-leg cuts that can otherwise shorten the silhouette. A draped blouse and a roomy tote are enough. No need to overdo it.
5. Leather jackets
A well-worn leather jacket with jeans is hard to get wrong. The key is not doing too much with the rest of it. A fitted shirt or asymmetrical top underneath is all you need. Ruched loafers add some interest without competing.
6. Button-down shirts
A button-down tucked into light-wash jeans is a clean, non-fussy combination that works for most situations where you want to look intentional without looking dressed up. Loose and untucked is a different mood but equally good. Squared-toe flats sharpen it slightly if you want more structure.
7. Kitten-heel ankle boots
Kitten heels pair well with straight-leg jeans in a way that feels current without being trendy. The slim heel and ankle-length cut hit at a flattering point. A long coat and a plain white shirt and you have a solid cold-weather outfit that doesn’t require much else.
The most useful pairings
The button-down and the leather jacket are the two on this list that do the most work. Both go from genuinely casual to reasonably dressed depending on the rest of the outfit, and neither requires planning. For a broader look at denim styling by cut and occasion, Vogue’s fashion section covers it in more detail.