How To Wear Jeans With Ankle Boots: The ULTIMATE Guide

How To Wear Jeans With Ankle Boots: The ULTIMATE Guide

raw hem jeans with ankle boots and yellow top
Photo curtesy of The Style Stalker

Jeans with ankle boots are a go to combination for many people because they can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. While many will have one or the other in their closet, styling them both together can be difficult as there are so many styles to consider.

If you’re looking for fashion and style tips on how to create a polished looked, read on for some tips on how to wear jeans with ankle boots.

What are the different types of ankle boots?

Before we look the different types of jeans, we first must look at the different styles of ankle boots. Now, when referring to the boot shaft, I am talking about the fit of the shoe around the leg.

There are 3 main types:

  1. Low ankle boots
  2. Mid calf ankle boots
  3. High ankle boots

1.) Low ankle boots

These ankle booties sit just at the ankle and do not cover much of the lower leg. They are a popular choice for casual wear and can be paired with many different types of outfits, such as jeans, leggings, and skirts.

The design of these booties allow for more of the ankle to be exposed. Because of this, they are a great shoe for fall time

Low ankle boots and can have a flat, low or high heel height.

The low-cut ankle booties can further be categorised into tight or wide fit:

Low cut, tight shaft ankle boots

pointed toe ankle boots with slim straight leg jeans
Photo: @creativetouchboutique

These booties are a great casual shoe because they often have lower heel height.

Low cut, wide shaft ankle boots

black leather booties with a lower shaft pointed  heels
Photo: @wallis

A wide shaft boot will have more room around the leg and may have more give or stretch than a boot with a tighter fit. This design can create a more relaxed and casual look. However, opting for a leather look can add a chic style.

Wear boots with straight leg jeans are great for a cohesive look.

2.) Mid-calf ankle boots

These ankle booties sit at the mid-calf are the classic hight for boots. They cover more of the lower leg than low ankle boots and are also a popular choice for casual wear. This type of boots can have different designs, such as laces, buckles, zippers, etc. and can come in different colours and prints.

Overall, mid-calf ankle boots are a versatile style of boots that offer a balance between coverage and exposure, and can be worn for a variety of occasions and styles.

These mid-calf booties can have different shaft widths, whether tight, wide, or regular:

Mid cut, tight shaft ankle boots

black leather Chelsea boots

These booties feature have a higher shaft than a low rise boot and tend to have a small block heel.

This design can create a chic look and can elongate the leg lines.

Combat boots or Chelsea boots are another type of mid rise shoes that are a great choice of leather boots.

This is my favourite pair of shoes to style in the winter with mom jeans!

This style of boots can come in different materials, such as leather, suede, and with different heel heights, like flat, low and high heels

Mid cut, wide shaft ankle boots

black leather western style ankle boot
Photo: @nextofficial

A western style ankle boot is an example of a wide shaft midi boot. Pairing them with straight leg jeans is a great way to show off the shoes.

3.) High ankle boots

Tall ankle boots ankle boots sit above the ankle and cover a significant portion of the lower leg. They are popular for their sleek and polished look and can be worn with many different types of outfits, such as jeans, trousers, and skirts.

The high rise ankle boots are be categorised into tight or wide:

High cut, tight shaft ankle boots

black sock booties
Photo: @Simmi

Sock booties are a type of tall ankle boot with a tight shaft. They are designed to provide a sleek and close-fitting look, with the boot fitting tightly to the ankle, foot, and leg.

This style of boot is great with a skinny jean, giving the illusion of a long, streamlined leg line.

They can be made of stretchy fabrics such as knit, neoprene or leather, and can have a flat, low or high heel. They can have different designs such as a pointed toe, a round toe, or a square toe.

High cut, wide shaft ankle boots

leather burnt orange pointed toe boot
Photo: @livinglycom

This style of boot are great in winter and fall as they covers a significant portion of the lower leg.

These boots are more commonly know to be leather to maintain the structure, however they can also come in suede.

How To Wear Jeans With Ankle Boots

A popular way to wear jeans with ankle boots is tucking skinny jeans or straight-leg jeans into the boots. However, ankle boots that go with skinny jeans might not necessarily be the best option for boyfriend jeans. This is because you need to consider the style of boot, but also the fit and cut of the jean.

Ankle boots can be difficult to style with jeans compared to other types of footwear because they sit at the ankle, which can make it challenging to create a cohesive and polished look. However we will discuss some styling tips on what ankle boots go well with different styles of jeans.

How Do I Style Different Types Of Jeans With Ankle Boots?

  1. Skinny Jeans with ankle boots
  2. Wide Leg Jeans with ankle boots
  3. Straight Leg Jeans with ankle boots

1.) How To Wear Skinny Jeans With Ankle Boots

Skinny jeans are extremely versatile and can be worn in a variety of ways, depending on the occasion and personal style.

They are a type of denim pant that is tight-fitting and tapered through the leg. They are designed to fit close to the body and have a snug fit from the waist to the ankle. The denim fabric used in skinny jeans is typically stretchy, which allows for a snug fit without being restrictive. They can be dressed up or down, and paired with different types of tops and shoes.

Due to the streamline silhouette of skinny jeans, I would avoid ankle boots that are extremely chunky such as platform shoes.

Cuffed/ Rolled Up

woman wearing skinny jeans
Photo: @BlueLayneBTQ

Roll or cuff the bottom of your jeans to show a bit of skin between the jeans and the boots. This is a great way to add visual interest to your outfit and make your boots stand out. Plus, it’s a great way to show off your boots if they have an interesting detail or print.

Not only does rolling up the bottom help to show off any interesting details or patterns on the hem of the jeans or on the shoes, it is also a great way shorten the length of the jeans.

Tucked In

woman wearing jeans, black top, and black high shaft boots
Photo: @Jeans4youShop

Choose a pair of jeans that fit snugly around the ankle and have a slim or tapered fit. This will ensure that your jeans don’t bunch up around your boots and that your legs look elongated.

Tucking skinny jeans into ankle boots helps to create an illusion of longer legs, as it eliminates the break between the boots and jeans. This can make your legs appear longer, which is especially flattering if you have a petite frame.

Choosing a sock boot will create the streamline look to give that elongated leg affect. However, opting for a wider shaft bootie is a great way to show off the boots especially if they an interesting detail or print

Cropped Skinny Jeans

woman wearing cropped jeans and leather boots
Photo: @beginningboutique

Cropped skinny jeans fall above the ankle, which allows for a bit of skin to show between the jeans and the boots. This helps to create a balanced and proportionate look, as the boots and jeans are not competing for attention.

Where as cuffed jeans create a more laid-back look, the cropped jean style gives the same effect but more trendy and less casual.

Choosing slightly higher ankle boots helps shorten the distance between the jeans and boots. A large gap will create a harsh appearance that takes attention away from the rest of the outfit.

2.) How To Wear Wide Leg Jeans With Ankle Boots

Wide leg jeans have a relaxed fit and tend to be longer than other types of jeans which can make your legs appear shorter. Pairing wide leg jeans with ankle boots is a great way to add hight back to the style.

They are designed to have a relaxed, loose fit from the waist to the ankle, and they often have a higher rise than skinny or straight leg jeans. The denim fabric used in wide leg jeans is typically thicker and more substantial than that used in other styles.

They can have a straight or a slightly flared shape and can come in a variety of washes and colours.

Flared Jeans

woman wearing flared jeans with leather boots and blazer
Photo: @WhoWhatWear

It is possible to roll up flared jeans, but it may not look as polished or cohesive as it does with skinny or straight-leg jeans. Flared jeans have a wide-leg design which can make it challenging to get the right amount of cuffing or rolling to look just right. Therefore, most people wear their flares the way they are.

They are designed to have a relaxed, loose fit from the waist to the knee, but the flare opens up the leg and can add visual interest to the outfit. The denim fabric used in flared jeans is typically thinner and more lightweight than that used in other styles. This style can create a more retro, bohemian look and can also be used to show off a pair of shoes or boots.

Jeans that have a slight fare to them (bootcut jeans) go best with a ankle boot that is slim around the calf. This is so the boots don’t interrupt the pant line and maintains a balanced look

For a more dramatic flare, I would recommend a chunky heel or platform boot so that the jeans don’t drag. Platform ankle boots can also add a touch of retro vibes to your outfit 

Baggy Jeans

woman wearing baggy jeans, leather jacket and pointed shoe
Photo: @VIENNAWEDEKIND

Boyfriend jeans are a type of baggy jeans are a more causal type of denim pant because they are loose-fitting so have a wider leg opening. They have a lot of excess fabric throughout the leg. Because of this,  pairing them with a chunky ankle boot helps balance out the proportions.

If you want to dress them up, opt for booties with a pointed toe as it elevated the causal feel of the jeans.

You can also roll up the baggy jeans allows for a bit of skin to show between the jeans and the boots. This helps to create a balanced and proportionate look, as the boots and jeans are not competing for attention.

Choosing a boot that has a rounded toe will help soften the overall look of jeans. Wearing a chunkier boot such as combat boots or hiking boots can add a bit of edge to your look when paired with baggy jeans.

3.) How To Wear Straight Leg Jeans With Ankle Boots

Straight leg jeans are exactly how they sound: straight. They are designed to have a classic, timeless fit that is neither too tight nor too loose, and they often have a higher rise than skinny jeans.

They are often considered a more versatile option than skinny or wide-leg jeans, as they can complement a variety of body types and styles.

Cropped Straight Leg Jeans

woman wearing cropped denim jeans with leather boots
Photo: @netaporter

Cropped straight are simply cropped at the ankle. This style of jean are a great match for high ankle boots because the bottom of the pant legs are cut off at the ankle, leaving a small amount of skin exposed.

The wider the fit of the leg, the wider the cut of boot you can wear. Ankle boots with a wide shaft can look good with cropped straight leg jeans is that it creates a nice contrast between the fitted jeans and the wide shaft boots.

The wide shaft around the leg opening can add some volume and texture to the outfit, making it more interesting and visually appealing. Alternatively, low cut ankle boots can pair nicely with cropped jeans such as

Long Straight Leg Jeans

straight leg jeans
Photo: @Prettylittlething

With straight leg jeans that are longer in length, longer ankle boots with a slim shaft are perfect for creating a streamline look.

Pointed heels can look good with straight leg jeans because they add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall outfit. The pointed toe of the heel elongates the legs and creates the illusion of height, which can be flattering.

Additionally, the straight leg fit of the jeans helps to balance out the proportions of the outfit and keeps it looking clean and polished. The sharpness of the pointed heel against the straightness of the denim creates a nice contrast that can be visually pleasing.

Conclusion

Wearing jeans with ankle boots can be an effortless task once broken down into the basics; type of boots and type of jeans. Once you know what ankle boots go well with different styles of jeans you will find it much easier to create outfits. Whether you’re dressing up for a casual day out or for a semi-formal event, you’ll be able to put together a super cute outfit!

FAQs

1. Can I wear jeans with ankle boots in summer?

Absolutely! Choose lighter colored jeans and pair them with low cut ankle boots for a chic summer look. You can also opt for ankle boots with cut-out designs for better ventilation.

2. What style of jeans works best with ankle boots?

Skinny and straight-leg jeans typically work best with ankle boots as they can be easily paired with most ankle boots and allow the boot design to shine. However, you can also pair boots with boyfriend or flared jeans for a unique style statement.

3. Can I wear flared jeans with ankle boots?

Yes, you can wear flared jeans with ankle boots. However, make sure the hem of the jeans covers most of the boot, leaving just the front part visible.

4. Is it necessary to tuck jeans into ankle boots?

It’s not necessary, but it does provide a neat look. Tucking is especially recommended when wearing skinny jeans with ankle boots and doesn’t work as well with flared jeans.

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