There are few pairings more rugged, cool and classically masculine than a well cut pair of jeans and a well made pair of boots.
Whether you’re pairing your boots-and-jeans combo with a button down and a blazer or a field jacket and a sweater, there’s just something about the combination of denim and leather (or suede) that conveys a certain strength.
With the boots providing a sturdy foundation and the jeans giving off a classic sense of cool, this combo makes you feel like you can take on whatever the world throws at you—and throw it right back.
But with the menswear industry exploding in recent years, designers and brands have introduced dozens of new styles, variations and takes on classic men’s boots, making it hard to know which ones work best when rocking a pair of jeans.
In this post I’ll lay out the best, most stylish men’s casual boots to wear with jeans, and recommend a few sharp selections that will help you stand out.
The Best Men’s Casual Boots to Wear with Jeans
1. Leather Chukkas
If you’re just starting to build your boot collection, start here.
Chukkas are a perfect blend between “dressy” and casual. Grab a pair with a sharp (ish) toe shape and you can wear them with almost anything.
They’ll look perfectly at home with a well cut suit, and a bit of sophistication to a t-shirt and jeans. (A rounded toe is generally considered more casual, and probably wouldn’t work with the suit.)
Sharp Selections:
2. Suede Chukkas
Same boot, same toe shape, different fabric.
Whole new ball game.
Suede chukkas get their own spot on this list because they serve a different purpose.
While leather chukkas can be dressed up with a suit, the suede version is a little more rugged looking, and inherently more casual.
You can still pair them with a tee and jeans, but instead of a touch of sophistication, they’ll add some texture and toughness to your look.
Sharp Selections:
3. Cap Toe Boots
You can find a cap toe variation of almost all the other boot styles on this list, but it’s worth calling out because of the way it alters the boot’s appearance.
When paired with a sleek looking toe shape, a cap toe adds an eye-catching and stylish bit of distinction that helps your boots stand out.
The handsome devil is on the details, and a cap toe is a great one to add to your arsenal.
Sharp Selections:
Deep Dive:
4. Combat Boots
Inspired by the boots worn by soldiers since (at least) the Second World War, combat boots immediately evoke toughness and resilience.
With a rounded toe, combat boots are a much more casual style, making them the perfect type of boots to wear with jeans.
Pair them with a field jacket or a thick sweater for a look that’s as rugged as it is classic.
Sharp Selections:
5. Chelsea Boots
Chelsea boots come in lots of different shapes and styles, but they all have a common trait that defines them as Chelseas.
Instead of laces, Chelsea boots feature an elastic band that runs down the ankle of the boot, allowing you to slide them on and off easily.
A lot of the same style options available on other boots (broguing, cap toes, etc.) can be found in Chelseas as well, so even if you despise laces, you’ll still have plenty of options.
Sharp Selections:
6. Dress Boots
What makes a boot a “dress boot”?
In a word: sleekness.
Dress boots are designed to look as sleek and sophisticated as dress shoes, but provide the warmth, protection and stability of boots.
They could easily be worn with a suit and wouldn’t look at all out of place.
Admittedly, that means they’re not exactly casual boots, but that’s what makes them so great to pair with jeans.
When you pair dress boots with jeans they can help elevate your look by adding a touch of sophistication that will help you stand out from the (casually dressed) crowd.
Note that toe shape is more important here than with any other style.
Look for a well made pair with a toe that’s sharp enough to look formal, but not so pointy you’d expect to see it in the live action remake of Aladdin.
Sharp Selections:
7. Brogue/Wing Tips Boots
Brogues were originally worn by British hunters, and they still evoke the sort of rugged sophistication you’d associate with a manor Lord out with his hunting party.
(Or, to give you a more modern reference point, James Bond one-upping his attackers in the Scottish highlands.)
You can wear brogues in pretty much any situation where you’d wear combat boots.
And while the brogues are (arguably) just as rugged as combat or work boots, they also add a dash of rakishness that helps elevate your look.
Sharp Selections:
8. Double Monk Strap Boots
Double monk strapped shoes are a staple in the wardrobes of many guys (especially dapper as hell Italians).
But double monk boots are still something of a rarity—making them that much more appealing to guys who want their footwear to stand out.
Sharp Selections:
9. Single Monk Strap Boots
Single monk strap boots are essentially the sleeker cousin of double monks.
While double monks are scene stealers that immediately draw the eye down to your boots, single monks are (slightly) less flashy, but no less dapper.
Sharp Selection:
You Know the Best Casual Boots to Wear with Jeans
Now take the next step toward sharper style
Since you’ve read this far (thanks for hanging in there by the way), by now you should have a strong understanding of which men’s casual boots to wear with jeans.
If you want even more footwear advice, you’ll definitely want to check out my post outlining the most stylish types of shoes for men.
But while shoes (or in this case, boots) are the secret weapon of stand-out style, they’re still only one piece of the menswear puzzle.
If you really want to learn how to out-dress the other guys and stand out from the crowd, you need to know how to nail the details—all the details.
Enter your email address below and I’ll send you a checklist that will help you do just that, outlining the Nine Details You Need to Nail to step up your style and put your best face forward.
Don’t Let the Other Guys Out-Dress You
Find out how to look sharp and stand out.
Enter your email address below to discover the Nine Details You Need to Nail.
I will never send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
More Advice on Men’s Boots, Shoes & Style from Irreverent Gent:
- The 8 Most Stylish Types of Shoes for Men
- Sharp Style Resources: The Best Men’s Shoes
- The 17 Best Sneaker Boots for Men
- 17 of the Best Men’s Chukka Boots Available Online
- The Best Men’s Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
- The 25 Best Men’s Shoes for Standing All (Damn!) Day
- In-Depth Thursday Boots Review
- The (Absolute) Best Chelsea Boots for Men
- The Absolute Best Shoes (& Shoe Colors) to Wear with Khakis
- The Most Comfortable Golf Shoes for Walking the Course
- The Most Stylish, Comfortable & Best Shoes for Male Teachers
- The 24 Best, Most Comfortable Work Boots
- The (Absolute) Best Cap Toe Oxford Dress Shoes for Men
- The (Absolute) Best Monk Strap Shoes for Men
- The (Absolute) Best Mens Fall Shoes
- The Best Red Bottom Dress Shoes for Men
- The Best Shoes for Men to Wear with Joggers
- The (Absolute) Best Types of Leather Jacket Styles for Men
- The Most Stylish & Comfortable Dress Shoes That Feel Like Sneakers
- The Most Stylish Shoes to Wear with Chinos
- The 19 Most Stylish Pieces of Men’s Winter Fashion
- The Most Stylish Shoes for Men to Wear with Jeans
- The 21 Best Shoes to Wear with Shorts
- In-Depth Wolf and Shepherd Shoes Review
- The (Absolute) Best Shoes for No Socks
- The Best Casual Loafers for Men
- The Best Boot Styles that Every Man Should Have in His Wardrobe
- 10 of the Most Comfortable White Sneakers on the Market
📷
Banner image:
Will Suddreth / Unsplash (Thanks Will!)
Chelseas! I’ve seen lots of guys wearing that style of boot but nevre knew what it was called. Thank you!
You’re welcome! It took me awhile too. Years ago I finally Googled “boot with elastic ankle part” to find out what they were called.