Even if you know you want to wear wedge sandals with jeans, it can be tricky to figure out which specific style goes best with various types of denim. After all, not all wedges and jeans are created equal. Vionic is here to share how to wear wedges with jeans, as well as which outfit combos to rock on various occasions.
8 Ways to Wear Wedges with Jeans
Should you go with a back-strap peep-toe wedge with white skinny jeans or a platform sandal with relaxed-fit denim for an easy-breezy beachy look? Whatever you have in mind, there’s a way to match any wedge with any pair of jeans. Skinny, ripped, boyfriend, straight-leg, wide-leg, black, or white, here’s how to wear jeans and wedges with style.
Wedges with Skinny Jeans
Some say skinny jeans are on their way out, but let’s be honest: the form-fitting style is here to stay. They hug your figure from your hips to your ankles, showing off your legs and flattering your curves. Skinny jeans are arguably one of the most versatile pant styles, and they can be worn with almost any shoe.
Thanks to the skin-tight design of skinny jeans, you can’t go wrong with wedges, as the elevated style only enhances the look. Match a pair of close-toed wedges with dark-wash denim pants. Then throw on a relaxed t-shirt and oversized cardigan for a laid-back aesthetic.¹
Do you prefer sandals or peep-toe footwear? Cuff your skinny jeans once or twice and finish the look with a loose-fitting button-down shirt tucked partially in the front.
Wedges with Ripped Jeans
Once pre-ripped denim started being sold in stores, all bets were off. This edgy, effortless style may always have a place in fashion, and with the right pair of wedges, it can be classy too.
We love the look of an open-back wedge or espadrilles with distressed jeans. Throw on a colorful tank or a sleeveless tunic, and slip into a leather jacket or bomber coat if you need some extra warmth.
Are strappy sandals more your speed? Tuck a mock-neck top into your jeans and slip on an ankle-strap open-toed wedge. If form-fitting shirts aren’t your cup of tea, try a relaxed short-sleeve button-up.
Wedges with Boyfriend Jeans
Boyfriend jeans were created for comfort. Since they have a somewhat slouchy fit, your initial thought might be to pair them with sneakers, sandals, or another casual footwear style. But whether ripped, stone-washed, or faded, this laidback pant works surprisingly well with wedges.
Are you wondering how to wear your favorite pair of boyfriend jeans with a stylish pair of wedges? Since this relaxed denim style offers a more modest fit, the right heeled shoes balance them out with an elongated, feminine touch.² Wedge booties are a go-to for this style of denim. Distressed boyfriend jeans with an oversized sweater or a t-shirt lazily tucked into the front will play up the casual outfit.
Another one of our favorite ways to wear denim is with a fitted shirt or a crop top to balance out the loose-fitting pants. For this look, we love an open-toe or ankle-strap wedge. Finish the ensemble with some playful accessories and a cross-body handbag.
Wedges with Straight-Leg Jeans
Let’s talk about straight-leg jeans. The traditional, universally flattering silhouette combines the fitted upper portion of skinny jeans with the relaxed bottoms of a boyfriend cut. Sometimes called the cigarette pant, this denim style is the best of both worlds.
You’ll often see straight-cut jeans paired with sneakers, but this is by no means the only footwear option. Do wedges go with cigarette jeans? You bet! All you need is the right pair.
What’s nice about straight jeans is that they look great cuffed or uncuffed. If you’re wondering how to wear cuffed jeans with wedges, we’re happy to tell you it’s a pretty easy look to pull off. In the fall and winter, we adore elevated ankle boots with a fitted tee and a slouchy cardigan or a button-down flannel tied around the waist.
In the warmer season, opt for summery cork-heel wedges or classic espadrilles. As for the rest of your ensemble, a simple tank top, graphic tee, or crop-top (and maybe a lightweight jacket) is all you need.
Wedges with Wide-Leg Jeans
Wide-leg jeans have quite a history. A borrowed style from the 30s, revamped in the 70s, with a strong 90s comeback, wide-leg denim is undoubtedly back—and it might even be starting to overshadow the long-term, nearly untouchable reign of the skinny jean.³
An open-toed platform wedge is a perfect complement to high-waisted wide-leg pants. Matched with a flowy tank, a crop-top, or a flirty puff-sleeve shirt can bring you back to the 70s when the style was at its peak. Transitioning the look to a business-casual setting, opt for a back-strap, closed-toed wedge, or a heeled bootie. Complete the outfit with a simple button-down shirt.
Wedges with Black Jeans
A pair of black jeans is just like a little black dress: the fallback fashion staple goes with anything and flatters everyone. Heading from the office to a night out on the town? Go with black jeans. Jaunting to an afternoon barbecue after brunch? Wear black jeans. Running errands and then meeting a friend for coffee? Black jeans.
Similar to skinny jeans, this denim style is versatile, slimming, and effortless. Plus, you can wear any other color with black—and virtually any footwear style too. Needless to say, rocking wedges with black jeans is an easy streetwear look, and it works year-round.
A closed-toe wedge with a V-neck shirt and blazer is a great look for nailing your boardroom presentation or heading to happy hour drinks. Out and about on the weekend? Slip-on your favorite baggy sweater, button-down shirt, or tunic top with ankle-strap wedge sandals, and you’ll be good to go from morning till night.
Wedges with White Jeans
The fun thing about white denim is that, just like black jeans, it goes with nearly anything. Not only that, but the “rules” about not wearing it after Labor Day have been tossed aside for at least a decade now, so feel free to wear it during the winter, spring, summer, or fall.
That said, if you’re new to white jeans, the summer season is a great time to try them out. We love this style of pants with a navy striped nautical-style shirt or a gauzy floral top. As for your shoes, wedge sandals, platforms, or espadrilles all lend to a warm-weather vibe.
When you slip into a pair of distressed, skinny, or boyfriend-cut white jeans, a breezy summer shirt, and a pair of heeled wedge sandals, nothing will stop you from taking on the day. From walking on the pier to grabbing lunch with friends to an evening watching the sunset, you can’t go wrong with this ensemble.
Where to Buy the Best Wedges for Every Occasion
If you ever find yourself wondering what to wear with denim, wedges are a tried-and-true footwear option. And just like your favorite pair of jeans, Vionic’s wedges for women are versatile, endlessly comfortable, and appropriate for a wide range of occasions. Where jeans hug your curves, our wedges hug your arches for a pain-free, always comfy feel you can count on day after day.
By now, you should have a pretty good idea of how to wear wedge sandals with jeans—but this shoe style can be worn with more than just denim. You can strut your stuff in wedges with maxi dresses, sundresses, rompers, jumpsuits, chinos, trousers, shorts, flowy skirts—you name it.
Vionic is all about being comfortable on your feet. When you browse our impressive selection of women’s footwear, you’ll find a broad range of styles, colors, and heights ranging from about 1 to 4 inches. From cork-heel wedges and jute-wrapped espadrilles to chic platform sandals for women, ankle booties, and strappy wedges, we have it all.
With orthotic shoes from Vionic, you never have to choose between looking good and feeling good. Each pair is biomechanically engineered to deliver the support and stability you need, no matter what you’re up to or where you’re headed. Check out our best low wedge sandals if you want the comfort and the style for any occasion. Believe it or not, you won’t be dying to take them off as soon as you get home.
Shop our collection of women’s wedges, platforms, and heeled shoes today to see what stands out to you.
External sources:
1. Alison Deyette et al. “How to Wear Wedges”. Wiki How. April 27, 2021, https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-Wedges
2. Lauren Eggertsen. “The Polarizing Shoes You Were Conditioned to Hate Are Back—Tell a Friend”. What to Wear. Apr 11, 2019, https://www.whowhatwear.com/wedge-shoe-trend
3. “Vintage Wide Leg Pants & Beach Pajamas History”. Vintage Dancer. Vintage Wide Leg Pants & Beach Pajamas History, https://vintagedancer.com/1920s/vintage-wide-leg-pants-history/