How To Style Jeans With Sneakers

Is there anything more stylish and comfortable than a good pair of jeans and sneakers? The answer to this question is, of course, a firm no. This sentiment is particularly relevant as the weather cools off, and everyone wants to look fashionable but still stay warm. But we won’t lie, it can be overwhelming to choose the appropriate sneaker styles to go with the ever-expanding variety of denim cuts on the market. So, if you’re looking to nail this classic and effortless look, we’ve created a guide to help you style your favourite pair of jeans with your go-to sneakers.

Baggy Jeans

Hailey Bieber pairs a timeless pair of Nike Air Force 1s with baggy jeans.

Sneakers and baggy jeans are the most effortlessly chic streetwear combo out there. Just a quick glance through the feeds of the most reputable influencers will prove that this slouchy look is right on trend for 2024.

Luckily for sneakerheads everywhere, this oversized silhouette complements almost every sneaker style. You can team your favourite baggy denim with chunky dad sneakers like the New Balance 990, cool high-tops like the Air Jordan 1, or soccer sneakers like the Adidas Samba for a look fit for the ‘gram.

Try This:

New Balance 990 $199.99 USD

Air Jordan 1 High $180 USD

Adidas Samba $100 USD

Barrel Leg Jeans

Jennifer Lopez effortlessly pulls off the barrel leg jeans trend with a pair of comfy white sneakers.

Whether you like them or not, barrel-leg jeans are a big 2024 fashion trend. After being featured in Alaïa’s autumn/winter 2023 collection, the silhouette has gradually gained popularity and is now a mainstay in many high-end and designer labels. Celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Jennifer Lopez, and Katie Holmes have also helped to draw attention to the balloon-like leg style this year, so you know these jeans are a must-have for the stylish, fashion-forward individual.

To keep the attention on the flare at the thighs and taper at the ankles of the pants, choose low-profile sneakers, such as your soccer shoes, court shoes or vintage kicks. This will create a balanced look that highlights the unique silhouette of the jeans.

Try This:

Adidas Gazelle Indoor Shoes $120 USD

Reebok LT Court Shoes $100 USD

Chuck Taylor All Star Canvas $60 USD

Bootleg Jeans

The Instagram star and fashion vlogger María Valdés pairs her bootleg jeans with a white platform Converse trainer.

Ranchers and cowboys may have been the first to wear bootcut jeans, but over time, the popularity of this classic denim style has grown far and wide. But given that its overall shape—the slightly tapered thigh and flare from knee to hem—are known to fit all body types, this shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Although it may instinctively feel more appropriate to pair them with boots or heels, sneakers can offer a surprising and modern touch. To help balance the bulk at the bottom of the jeans, non-chunky high tops, court shoes, and soccer shoes are all great styles to try.

Try This:

Nike Blazer Mid ’77 $105 USD

Puma Court Ultra $70 USD

Adidas Samba OG Shoes $100 USD

Flared Leg Jeans

This stylish fashion blogger complements her flared leg jeans and Jordan 1 sneakers with an oversized blazer.

Flared-leg jeans have seen yet another uptick in popularity this year. Even if you haven’t seen these bottom heavy denims in the fall collections of big names like Celine, Diesel, and Marni, you’ve likely seen one or more social media influencers wearing them.

One tried-and-tested trick for styling flared jeans with sneakers is to choose something that isn’t too chunky to balance out the jeans’ voluminous silhouette. Think sleek medium—to low-profile pairs with an elongated toe like the Veja Esplar Sneakers. However, if you enjoy wearing chunky kicks or high tops, keep the visual weight of the outfit balanced by pairing them with a baggy top or oversized jacket to maintain a proportional appearance.

Try This:

Veja Esplar Sneakers $150 USD

Ontisuka Tiger Mexico 66 SD $190 USD

Skinny Jeans

The Princess of Wales wears her skinny jeans with the trendy Veja sneakers.

Skinny jeans may have fallen from grace, but this 2000s staple is all set to make a comeback in fall 2024. So, if you’ve been saving your skinny jeans for just this occasion, now is the time to pull them out of the closet.

Pair your skinnies with sporty sneakers with chunkier soles, like the stylish Veja Campo trainers or the vintage New Balance, to keep the style feeling fresh and up-to-date. Just remember you want some ankle showing to keep the look balanced.

Try This:

Veja Campo $160 USD

New Balance 550 from $109.99 USD

Chuck Taylor All Star Lift Platform Canvas $70 USD

Straight Leg Jeans

Acting as an ideal substitute for the skinny jeans trend, the straight-leg jeans from the Nineties have become a wardrobe mainstay. This classic style provides a more relaxed fit while still maintaining a flattering silhouette, and it also happens to be universally flattering and easy to wear.

Of course, when it comes to pairing them with sneakers, length is crucial. A full-length hem works best with a slimmer shoe, such as an adidas Samba, whereas a shorter hem that shows off the ankle can be worn with any shoe silhouette. That said, we prefer something with a large platform sole underneath.

Adidas Sambae Shoes $110 USD

Nike Air Max Plus $180 USD

Chuck 70 Canvas $90 USD

Wide Leg Jeans

Model Elsa Hosk looks stunning in chunky sneakers and wide leg jeans, paired with a simple tank top.

Wide-leg jeans already exude an effortless cool girl vibe, but when worn with sneakers, they take on a whole new level of casual chic.

The sheer volume of fabric of these jeans can be counterbalanced with sleek, low-profile sneakers like the adidas Originals Handball Spezial Sneakers, but chunkier sneaker silhouettes can complement the style as proven by Elsa Hook.