Every woman has the same pair of shoes in her closet. No, it’s not white sneakers. It’s not even a pair of nude stilettos.
The shoes you’re guaranteed to have in your closet are ankle boots. These boots have stood the test of time and are a girl’s best friend. Are you heading to the office? Put on jeans and ankle boots. Are you hitting the town with your friends? Put on ankle boots with jeans.
This classic combination works for any occasion. When you master the art of how to wear ankle boots with jeans, you’ll always have something to wear.
Alicia Vikander, Nicky Hilton, Anne Hathaway, Katie Holmes, and Olivia Palermo demonstrate how to style ankle boots with jeans for different occasions (Credit: Aurore Marechal / ABACA / Roger Wong / Janet Mayer / Startraksphoto / Jose Perez / INSTARimages)
These boots are the perfect investment in your closet, as they work for almost any season. Come rain or shine, you can grab these shoes from your closet.
We’re sharing our ultimate guide on how to wear ankle boots with jeans. You’ll learn everything you need to know about the different types of ankle boots, which jeans to style them with, and the ultimate do’s and don’ts.
Discover the 3 Main Types of Ankle Boots for Every Occasion
Like all good things, ankle boots come in different shapes and styles. A trip to your favorite department store will show you just how many styles you can choose from. The easiest way to think about ankle boots is to divide them by height: low, medium, and tall.
Not everyone will love all three. Finding the right style for you often takes trial and error. Start by considering your height and the type of jeans you usually wear.
You can usually choose from any three heights if your legs are slimmer. Tall boots are ideal for those with longer legs, while a medium ankle boot is the most versatile.
1. Tall Ankle Boots: A Versatile Choice for Cooler Weather
These ankle boots are wider in the calf and give you enough space to tuck the jeans inside your boots. While shorter than thigh-high boots, this style is the perfect choice for milder climates.
Shorter than thigh-high boots, tall ankle boots are wider in the calf area, allowing you to tuck your jeans into the boots easily (Credit: Andrey Arkusha / Shutterstock)
They make a statement without being too overpowering. A tall ankle boot typically has a block heel, adding an elevated feel to your outfit. If you want ankle boots that you can wear through winter, look for a taller style.
2. Medium Ankle Boots: The Best All-Around Style for Slimming Your Legs
If you’re splurging on one style, let it be medium ankle boots. This height is the perfect in-between option, stopping just above your ankle. They’re more fitted than taller ankle boots, helping to give the illusion of slimmer legs without bunching up your denim.
The most popular ankle boot type, medium ankle boots stop just right above the ankles and are usually fitted, giving an illusion of slimmer legs (Credit: Voyagerix / Shutterstock)
What we love about medium ankle boots is that they’re the most versatile. They sit in a sweet spot between tall and low-ankle boots, giving you the best of both worlds. You can swap out sneakers or stilettos for a pair of medium-ankle boots.
3. Low Ankle Boots: The Perfect Step-Up from Sneakers
The style you’ll come across least is low-ankle boots. These boots are ideal for those upgrading from sneakers to ankle boots and trying something new.
Ankle boots can be worn with almost any kind of jeans. You can also experiment with styling them with leggings or dresses.
Low ankle boots are the perfect alternative to sneakers and can also be worn with dresses, jeans, or leggings (Credit: AmbientShoot / Shutterstock)
If you want to wear ankle boots during the spring and summer, the low-ankle style is one you want to invest in.
How to Choose the Perfect Heel Height for Your Ankle Boots
You also want to consider the heel when shopping for ankle boots. While some ankle boots are flat, others have a skyscraper heel. You want to choose the functionality of your shoes and when you typically wear your jeans.
If ankle boots with a thin heel are your go-to for a night out, you might want to invest in them. You’ll want a more versatile block heel if jeans are your everyday style.
1. Flat Ankle Boots: Casual Comfort With a Polished Edge
Most flat ankle boots fall into the ‘Chelsea boot’ category. They’re a classic style for pairing with jeans and are a more elevated alternative to sneakers. These ankle boots work best with straight-leg or skinny jeans.
Tila March Chelsea ankle boots (1), Dr. Martens Church leather Monkey boots (2), Cole Haan Harlyn suede ankle boots (3), and Kork-Ease Ryder ankle boots (4) showcase a stylish range of versatile ankle boot designs for any season
Most flat ankle boots have a shorter shaft, so you should cuff your jeans or tuck them into the boots for a seamless look.
2. High Block Heels: Elevate Your Look Without Sacrificing Comfort
Block heels give you extra height without compromising on comfort. If you want an outfit of jeans and ankle boots that you can wear anywhere, you need a high-block heel. Whether at the office or grabbing cocktails with friends, this outfit will ensure you’re on the best guest list.
Lauren Ralph Lauren chain horsebit ankle boots (1), MICHAEL Michael Kors Porter suede boots (2), A.W.A.K.E Ariana boots (3), and Sam Edelman Anika boots (4) offer a chic selection of ankle boots perfect for elevating any outfit
A higher block heel is usually found on tall ankle boots. It will help elongate your silhouette, creating the illusion of a slimmer silhouette. We recommend this heel type if you can only invest in one pair of ankle boots to wear with jeans.
3. Thin Stilettos: Add Elegance to Your Night-Out Outfit
Ankle boots are a staple for a night on the town. A thin stiletto instantly adds a seductive feel to any ankle boots. What we love about this heel type is that you can find it on almost any style of ankle boots.
Stuart Weitzman Stuart 100 ankle boots (1), Schutz Ashlee slouch high-heel boots (2), Veronica Beard Lisa Prem Lea booties (3), and BCBGeneration Haxah ankle bootie (4) bring stylish high-heeled options to elevate any wardrobe
A thin stiletto ankle boot will work with any jeans, whether you’re wearing skinny jeans or a wide-leg style. The stiletto height means that your boots will pop out under the wide-leg jeans or slim your legs when wearing skinny jeans.
4. Short Block Heels: Subtle Height for a Classic Day-to-Night Look
A short block heel is a perfect combination to wear with straight-leg jeans. This ankle boot style sits between a flat ankle boot and a high-block heel. They give you a little extra height without having a thin heel, making them comfortable enough to wear all day long.
MICHAEL Michael Kors knitted-panel ankle boots (1), Kate Spade New York Delina suede ankle boots (2), Rag & Bone Rover booties (3), and Carvela Secil ankle boots (4) offer a sleek range of versatile and stylish ankle boot options
Pair your jeans with a blazer and button-up shirt for a chic workwear look. These ankle boots are perfect for a capsule closet built around classic jeans.
Which Jeans Work Best With Ankle Boots: A Styling Guide
Figuring out how to wear jeans with ankle boots is easier than you think. There’s one golden rule to follow. It’s all about height. Not just your height but the height of your ankle boots and the crop style of your jeans.
Before shopping for ankle boots, ensure you have the right jeans in your closet. While we love jeans, they can be some of the most problematic clothes to shop for. They’re not a ‘one size fits all’ style. Finding your signature jeans to wear with ankle boots will take a little trial and error.
To help you with your shopping, there are a few denim styles that you should focus on. These jeans will look effortlessly chic with almost any style of ankle boots.
1. Cropped Jeans: Show Off Your Ankle Boots in Style
One of the most effortless jeans styles to wear with ankle boots is cropped jeans. You’ll get all the comfort of wearing your favorite jeans while showing off your new ankle boots.
R13 Boy straight mid-rise distressed stretch crop jeans (1), RE/DONE 90s cropped straight-leg jeans (2), and B SIDES Lasso wide-leg cropped jeans (3) provide stylish cropped denim options for a chic, casual look
The trick with this style is to find cropped jeans that end just before your ankle boots. You want to show off as much of your boots as possible.
2. Skinny Jeans: The Perfect Fit for Tucking into Ankle Boots
Are skinny jeans canceled? We don’t think so. While the Gen Z of TikTok may have outlawed skinny jeans, we believe they are a classic that every woman should own.
Not only do skinny jeans show off your curves, but they’re also the perfect choice for ankle boots. This style is so versatile that you can easily tuck them into your boots for a seamless look. Styling ankle boots with skinny jeans will give the illusion of a few extra inches of height. What’s not to love about that?
Levi’s high-rise skinny jeans (1), Frame Le High high-rise skinny-leg jeans (2), Paige Margot cropped skinny jeans (3), and Frame Le High skinny jeans (4) offer a versatile selection of flattering denim styles
If you’re cuffing your skinny jeans, the cuff should be no more than three fingers in height. When you tuck your jeans into ankle boots, you want to ensure the denim is fitted at the ankles to avoid bunching inside the boots.
Taller ankle boots are a classic pairing with skinny jeans, but don’t be afraid to experiment with your shoe choice.
3. Straight-Leg Jeans: Effortless Pairing With Any Ankle Boots
Sometimes, jeans work so well with ankle boots that you don’t have to worry about how to style them. Straight-leg jeans tick all the boxes. If you wear low-rise ankle boots, you don’t have to do anything with your denim jeans. You can flash a little skin around your ankles to elongate your legs.
Levi’s Ribcage straight ankle jeans (1), B SIDES Louis straight-leg jeans (2), and Le Jean relaxed straight jeans (3) provide timeless straight-leg denim options for a stylish and comfortable look
The trick with this styling look is to choose the right inseam for your straight-leg jeans. Shop around for a full-length style that flatters your body type and height. Investing in the right jeans means you can wear them with almost any ankle boots style.
4. Wide-Leg Jeans: Make a Statement With High Ankle Boots
If you’re not a fan of skinny jeans, chances are you’re living it up with wide-leg jeans. This silhouette is one of the most popular right now.
It’s easy to assume that the oversized shape means they’re not a good match for ankle boots. While they’re not the easiest to style, this combination can be one of the most sophisticated options.
DL1961 Hepburn high-rise wide-leg jeans (1), Victoria Beckham Alina wide-leg jeans (2), Wrangler Heritage World Wide high-rise wide-leg jeans (3), and Frame Le Baggy wide-leg jeans (4) offer trendy wide-leg denim options for a bold, fashion-forward look
One of our favorite outfits is wide-leg jeans with high-ankle boots. It’s a classic workwear look that you can elevate with a silk blouse or dress down with an oversized jumper.
6 Essential Tips for Styling Ankle Boots With Jeans Like a Pro
Are you unsure where to start when styling jeans and ankle boots? This section of our styling guide shares our ultimate tips. This list of ‘dos and don’ts’ is the golden rule of what to think about when putting together an outfit with jeans and ankle boots.
1. Watch Out: Cropped Pants Can Shorten Your Silhouette
Cropped jeans should always end before the top of your ankle boots. If they end up too high, it could shorten the length of your legs and make you appear plumper.
Depending on your height, shopping for ankle boots with a taller shaft is easier than focusing on jeans.
Cropped jeans should end just right above the ankle boots to create a flattering look
2. Skinny Jeans and Ankle Boots: A Seamless Pairing for a Sleek Look
When wearing ankle boots with skinny jeans, you want to avoid the denim bunching up over your boots. It’s best to tuck the skinny jeans into your boots unless they are very short, in which case the denim will usually end up just above your ankle boots.
It’s best to tuck your skinny jeans into your ankle boots to avoid the denim bunching up over your boots
3. Cuffing Jeans With Ankle Boots: A Simple Trick to Elongate Your Legs
Is your denim just not looking right? One of the quickest ways to change your look is to cuff it. Cuffing your denim lets you show off your ankle boots and creates a contrast between the denim that elongates your legs.
Another benefit of cuffing your jeans is that it makes a more seamless, flattering look for all body types and heights.
Switch up your look and show off your ankle boots by cuffing your denim jeans
4. Start With the Jeans: Build Your Outfit Around Denim
When you’re putting together your outfit, start with the jeans. While some of us love building an outfit around our shoes, starting with your jeans means that you can narrow down which shoes to wear.
5. Opt for Versatile Ankle Boots: Style Them With Multiple Outfits
If you’re shopping for new ankle boots, don’t forget to consider your style and what you already have in your closet. You want to choose boots in a versatile color that you can picture yourself incorporating into at least four or five outfits.
Don’t forget to consider the type of denim wash you typically wear and when you wear jeans. If you wear jeans for a night out clubbing, you’ll want different ankle boots than someone who wears jeans as their signature day-to-day look.
6. Ankle Boots for Every Season: Find the Right Pair Year-Round
Ankle boots aren’t just for autumn and winter. If you want to wear these shoes in spring and summer, shop for a lighter color or a bold print. Textured ankle boots, such as snakeskin, work all year round.
Bold prints and textured ankle booties work all year round
Whether building a capsule closet or investing in your wardrobe, you need at least one pair of ankle boots. No outfit has your back more than jeans and ankle boots.
You can style it with almost anything in your closet, taking you seamlessly from day to night. You can splurge on designer ankle boots or keep them affordable with a budget-friendly style.
Whichever style you choose, don’t forget to try out our tips and tricks on how to wear ankle boots with jeans. You’ll never want to wear anything other than jeans and ankle boots! What are your tips for wearing ankle boots with jeans?