Your Complete Guide to the Shoes That Are Perfect With Skinny Jeans

They’re a wardrobe staple—a second skin—yet from time to time, our skinny jeans throw us a sartorial curveball when it comes to which shoes to pair them with. There’s not much in the footwear department that doesn’t go with a spray-on silhouette, but sometimes it’s the wash of the denim and the height of the heel that can make all the difference.

A little turn-up here and a lighter shade there can take you from outfit frustration to outfit success. How do we know this? Because one look at some of the most stylish women out there revealed as much. From the queen of skinny jeans, Kate Moss (who must sleep in hers), to street style superstars, we’ve scanned their best looks for the ultimate skinny-jean recipes. Scroll for your complete guide on the shoes to wear with skinny jeans.

#1: Classic Basket Sneaks

Style Notes: Classic white lace-up sneakers have proved that they’re here to stay, and this is music to our ears. As seen on petite fashion influencer Monikh Dale, there’s plenty of proof that this can look absolutely amazing when you’re not a glamazon. They’re skinny jeans’ new best friend.

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#2: Loafers

Style Notes: An off-duty model is all we need to show us that loafers—even if they’re on the scuffed, vintage side—and skinny jeans are perfect for trekking around a big city in style. Pack a pair (we’re obsessed with the Olsens’ offering at The Row) on your next mini break, and wear them on the plane—your feet will thank you.

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#3: Sporty Sneakers

Style Notes: Skinnies and sneakers go together like bread and butter. And as NYC-based fashion influencer Danie proves, the coolest combination, for now, lies in sporty, chunkier-soled kicks like these classic Nikes.

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#4: Pointed-Toe Flats

Style Notes: It worked for Audrey Hepburn all those years ago, and it still works today. Flat, pointed shoes elevate a pair of figure-hugging jeans to no end. A color-popping style like these cult Aquazzura lace-ups adds further interest.

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#5: Classic Pointed-Toe Pumps

Style Notes: Fashion girls often wear their sharpest pointed pumps with skinny jeans—and we can see why. They elongate your legs to no end, meaning you can balance out a jacket or cozy sweater very nicely.

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#6: Midi Block Heels

Style Notes: If flats are too flat, heels are too heeled, and sneakers feel just plain wrong for you, then the solution lies in cute midi-heeled block pumps. Glove shoes like Maria Alia’s (worn here with socks) are the perfectly comfortable, elevated option.

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#7: Strappy Heels

Style Notes: There’s nothing like minimalistic strappy sandals to add a dressy edge to a pair of casual jeans. British supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is a pro at styling hers. Follow her lead and make sure that yours stop just above the ankle straps of your shoes.

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#8: Flat Sandals

Style Notes: She made skinny jeans a wardrobe essential around the world, so it’s only right that we look to Kate Moss for how to style them. And the answer is yes, you can wear them with sandals—even jet-black denim. Note how the supermodel added a little turn-up to hers to avoid them scrunching around the ankles—a definite no-no when going for skinny jeans and sandals.

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#9: Sock Boots

Style Notes: The Hadids and Jenners like to tuck their skinnies into sock boots, and the idea has caught on for the rest of the world. You can wear them untucked, but ideally, the hemline needs to sit just above the top of your boots.

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Next up: The non-skinny jeans the chicest people will wear in the 2020s.

Opening Image: @mariaalia

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK and has since been updated by Aleksija Vujicic.