Shoes to Wear with Black Jeans: Black vs. Brown vs. Tan

Black jeans are a wardrobe staple, and a lot of you have asked me what colors of shoes to wear with black jeans. Here are three colors of boots I wear most often with black jeans during the fall and winter, and why I wear them with each jacket or top.

Black jeans are a wardrobe staple for me, especially in the winter. But lots of you ask, can you only wear black boots with them??

The answer is no, you can can absolutely wear black with brown or tan with brown, or gray with brown, or any color of shoes with black jeans.

Here are some easy examples of when I wear brown vs. black vs. tan boots with my black jeans.

Shoes that work well with black jeans. Let’s start with tan boots.

Why I would pick tan boots with black jeans

Tan and black work super well together because they’re both neutrals. But if I’m wearing a black sweater and black jeans, I probably wouldn’t pick tan boots because they’d feel out of place and too stark against the all-black outfit.

In this case, I’m wearing a cream colored sweater, so a pair of lighter boots works really well with the outfit. It helps balance the lighter top nicely.

NORDSTROM ANKLE BOOTS | MADEWELL JEANS (size down one size!) | SIMILAR SWEATER

Why I would pick tan boots with black jeans

If I’m wearing a tan coat with a pair of black jeans, I’ll almost always choose a pair of tan ankle boots to help balance the outfit.

Could you wear black shoes with this outfit? Yes. But I think the tan helps the outfit feel more purposeful and finished. The tans don’t have to match exactly, but a lighter shade of brown with a light brown coat works well.

BLACK RUFFLE NECK SWEATER (Similar HERE, HERE, AND HERE) | MADEWELL JEANS (size down one size!) | NORDSTROM ANKLE BOOTS | AMAZON COAT

When I would pick black boots with black jeans

I would choose black ankle boots with a gray top or jacket because black and gray are in the same color family so the pairing makes sense. You could do a light colored gray or a dark colored gray sweater and I’d still choose the same.

If you have gray boots, this is definitely a good opportunity to use those, but I don’t have gray boots in my closet because I find that black is much more versatile for my closet. If gray is versatile for you, that’s great!

SIMILAR BLACK CHELSEA BOOTS | MADEWELL JEANS (size down one size!) | SIMILAR GRAY SWEATER

When I would choose black boots with black jeans

When I’m wearing a dark colored top or jacket, like this dark green blazer and black tee, a pair of black boots makes the most sense.

I really want the blazer to be the focal point in this outfit, so adding a pair of lighter boots would draw attention away from the blazer and my face.

SIMILAR BLAZER (Another option here)| BLACK CUTS ALMOST FRIDAY TEE (code MERRICKSART for 15% off) | MADEWELL JEANS (size down one size!) | SIMILAR BLACK BOOTS | GRAY AMAZON BOOT SOCKS

When I would choose brown boots with black jeans

Can you wear black pants with brown shoes? HECK YES. Here are a few good examples of when I would choose brown boots with my black jeans.

If I’m wearing a lighter, colorful top, I’d choose brown so the outfit doesn’t feel so bottom heavy. Tan boots would absolutely work here too!

MADEWELL SWEATER (Similar Here) | MADEWELL JEANS (size down one size!) | SIMILAR BOOTS

When I would choose brown boots with black jeans

Honestly all three colors of boots would work with this outfit, but I love the richness that the brown brings to this simple black and white outfit. It creates some interest without drawing attention only to my feet.

MADEWELL SWEATER (Similar Here) | MADEWELL JEANS (size down one size!) | SIMILAR BOOTS

When I would choose brown boots with black jeans

If I’m wearing a brown sweater or top, I’d choose a pair of brown boots to match the brown on top. These browns are obviously different colors of brown, but they work well together to make the outfit feel balanced and complete.

MADEWELL SWEATER (Similar Here and Here) | MADEWELL JEANS (size down one size!) | SIMILAR BOOTS

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