The legend tells that once upon a time there was a man who one day put on some shoes "out of obligation" and he was never the same again. He went to work in an office of a lifetime, they gave him a folder and a pen. Before leaving Human Resources, they told him: "the director likes us to be well dressed, that we are the image of the company." She got it, went to the store, and yes, that's right, there are too many kinds of shoes (and they're all a bit uncomfortable).
Welcome to adulthood, the box read. He eventually got used to it, we all do, and he even wears shoes on the weekend. The pride of the director. Going from El Ganso sneakers to well-polished loafers earned him a stable relationship with his mother-in-law, a minivan, and an office, small but with views, on seventh street.
Why do our shoes look so bad? There are some pretty cool new designs that almost look like sneakers. Yes, but they are not sports. Your foot knows it, your mind knows it and your jeans know it... they don't look the same. Now here near.
This is where Esquire intervenes, because it has also been difficult for us to take the step and we have debated it in the newsroom: what are the shoes that best match jeans? "It depends" is not an option and we know it, so we are going to start giving fashion tricks to create a beautiful union between your favorite garment and your most hated footwear. You will end up putting on your shoes for pleasure!
Nothing is simpler than men's shoes with laces. Of course there are many options, but let's get to the essence: leather shoes with a round toe, in a matte color and round laces. The lifetime. The so-called Derby.
Zara blue round last leather shoe, 69.95 euros.
And we start here because they are the great wild card: they are valid for all types of jeans, of any color and cut. You just have to take into account the color combination. For example, brown looks great with darker blue jeans, black shoes with black jeans and contrasting socks (for example burgundy or dark green), the ones in the image, in blue, with more faded jeans, if you are going to maroon shoes you can put on a pair of jeans in brown, mustard, green... But all of them can be combined with each other: black jeans with burgundy shoes? Brilliant. Classic dark blue jean with navy blue shoes? Great.
We think so too, posh moccasins... but also very elegant. And here they beat us. Because some good loafers with a dark jean and a jacket dress a lot, for the day or for the night.
Gucci Horsebit loafers, €535.
They are not valid for any pants and it is obvious. With too skinny ones, a foot is too long and with very wide ones they get lost. The ideal jean for the moccasin is the slim (fit but not skinny) because it does not leave too much room at the ankle and frames the moccasin or loafer well.
Possibly the classiest men's shoes because they eliminate the lace for one (or several) showy buckles that make that the footwear stands out in the set. When you see a man with buckled shoes, you know that he likes fashion and cares about his style.
Shoes with Martinelli buckles, 99 euros.
The problem with these shoes is that they are sometimes too dressy for jeans. The classic buckled shoes, made of dark colored leather, have to go with dress pants so that everything matches. The great option is to have some suede shoes with a buckle, something more informal, and perfect for jeans.
This question seems to be answered by all the previous comments but it deserves a separate point. The classic suit shoe, that is, the Oxford, is the most classic shoe that requires the tailcoat, morning suit or tuxedo. And always in black. We are at this level.
Clarks Oxford shoe, 150 euros.
It is true that in recent years Oxfords have also been modernized, office suits are less serious and we even find models of Oxford shoes that can work with jeans... those in brown tones, especially. As we said with the buckled shoes, the more classic the jean, the better the set will be.
If you want an Esquire tip: better save them for your best suit and use others for jeans. You will have them pristine when the occasion requires it and you will not look too formal when you wear the jean.
Here the firm resists the boot world, recognizing that it is the perfect shoe for fall and winter. It must be that after seeing so many men with their cigarettes inside their boots I have become obsessed with them... but there are also dignified ways to wear them with jeans.
Dr. Martens 1460 military boots, from 102 euros on Amazon.
Of course, the best-selling leather boot in the world comes to mind here: the Dr. Martens. They are tough, worker-style boots that certainly look great with jeans and that have renewed their designs and materials to make them more comfortable and wearable. If I choose a boot, I think it will always be Dr. Martens.
Leather ankle boots have gradually gained a foothold, not only with jeans, but also in the world of fixed suit. They are something like elegant boots... but with a rocker/mood point that works.
Calf leather ankle boots with straps by Boss, €330.
Taste lies in variety, although the sensible thing to do is to bet on the most classic leather ankle boots possible that stand out above all for the quality of the material. A few days ago we saw some by Toni Kroos that are still on our must-have list.
The star shoe of the summer (with the permission of the sandals) is the boat shoe. It is a perfect shoe for jeans, since they have a very strong sporty point thanks to the rubber sole and the wide range of colors that are available in all stores.
Sebago rubber-soled boat shoes, 140 euros.
The boat shoe does not admit socks. At least no visible socks. A boat shoe with socks is a complete downer, because summer is suddenly taken away from us and nobody wants to get away from summer!!
