Today I’m bringing you five jean styles and the perfect shoes to pair with them. Although there are more jean styles available these days then variations of chicken soup, I’ve focused on five. The five jeans range from the most popular to the hardest to dress. They are: the Straight Leg, the Bootcut, the Skinny Ankle, the Wide-Leg Crop and the Culotte.
I’m going to start with the straight leg, since it’s universally the most flattering jean style. A straight leg pant is a style in which the hem of the pant is the same width as the pant leg where it hits at the knee. This pant should finish about 1/4″ off of the floor when your shoes are on. You don’t want to wear this jean too short. You also don’t want them so long that they bunch at the bottom. Most shoes flatter the straight leg pant. The best are a strappy heel sandal, a pointed-toe pump, a pointed-toe boot with a heel and a low profile sole (a sole that isn’t chunky), or a low-profile sneaker.
Next is the bootcut jean. This pant is fitted at the knee and has a hem that is wider than the rest of the pant leg. This style looks best when it virtually skims the floor when your shoes are on. A mid-high heel bootie with either a round or pointed toe and a high profile (chunky) sole look great with this pant style. Also, a pointed-toe loafer or a pump looks best with the bootcut jean.
Now for the most popular, the skinny ankle jean. This style tapers all the way down the leg and finishes fitted at the ankle or just above the ankle bone. The most flattering shoe styles for this pant are: flats (both round and pointed-toe), oxfords, loafers, pumps, mules and virtually all bootie styles. If you are wearing a flat bootie, roll the jeans to expose a little bit of skin around the ankle.
Next is the wide-leg crop or wide-leg ankle length jean. It’s important that this pants fits you well through the waist and hips. Pair this jean style with a pump or strappy sandal that has a chunky heel. Other great shoe options are a taller fitted bootie with a heel, a low profile sneaker or a high profile sandal like a Birkenstock or wedge.
Lastly, is the culotte jean. A culotte is a pant that finishes just below the knee and is wide in the leg. Culottes look great with low profile sneakers, oxfords, a high profile loafer, a pointed-toe heel or a tall boot that is fitted.
If you have questions about specific shoes to wear, other jean styles, or have a request for future What to Wear Wednesday topics, please leave a comment below or email me directly at [email protected]. And, for the live video, please click here: Alexandra Styles. See you next Wednesday!
xo,
Alexandra
