How To Pair Ankle Boots And Skinny Jeans

Skinny jeans. Whether you love them or hate them, there’s no denying that they are a classic fashion staple, especially when paired with ankle boots.

That being said, it can be difficult trying to style these two pieces right. Balancing comfortability and style is key to this look, but it can be hard to do.

How To Pair Ankle Boots And Skinny Jeans (1)

When it’s done right, ankle boots and skinny jeans can look fashionable and timeless.

Fortunately, we have a lot of tips to help you look stylish while wearing ankle boots and skinny jeans. We’ve also included a few go-to looks that you can try for yourself.

By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll have a look that you can wear to work, shopping, and on date nights.

Tips On Wearing Skinny Jeans And Ankle Boots Together

Try A Pair Of Cropped Jeans

Wearing cropped jeans is one of the simplest ways to pair ankle boots and skinny jeans. This is an ideal way to show off a printed or textured boot, as the jeans won’t be too long to cover them.

However, you should always take your height into account when wearing cropped jeans.

If you’re on the taller end, finding the right cropped jeans may be difficult, as you may end up showing too much of your calf.

Similarly, if you’re shorter, it may take a few trips to the petite section to find the right length jeans, as they may not show enough of your leg.

The right cropped jeans should end above your ankle. The end of your calf may be visible, but the rest of your leg shouldn’t be.

We all have different leg lengths, so even if you’re average height, try your cropped jeans before you buy them. If the hem is still too long, you ask a tailor to amend the hem for you.  

Tuck Your Jeans Into Your Boots

You can tuck your skinny jeans into your ankle boots, but this must be done in the right way. Jeans that are too long can start bunching up when tucked into boots.

If your jeans are too long, it’s best to roll them up a little instead.

Super-skinny jeans or jeans that end below the ankle are easier to wear inside boots. If this is done right, you’ll notice that your legs look longer and that you look slimmer as a result.

Jeans that are shorter or have a bit more room look better when they have a single cuff, showing a hint of the ankle.

Cuff Your Jeans

Cuff Your Jeans

Rolling or ‘cuffing’ your jeans can make or break your outfit. This can be a good way of amending jeans that are too long. In this case, a single cuff is the best way forward.

Your ankle should be slightly visible, but if any more of your leg is on display, your legs may look shorter and wider.

A single cuff shouldn’t be more than 2 inches wide. Cuffs that measure more than this are known as double cuffs.

These look better on light-colored or white jeans, especially when worn with a matching top.

Wearing the same color on your top and bottom can make your body look longer, which also takes attention away from the double cuff.

Your height also matters when cuffing your jeans. Shorter people can look even shorter when wearing double cuffs, though they can avoid this by wearing an outfit all in one color.

You can also combat this by wearing the right proportions. Aim to make your top half or bottom half look like it takes up two-thirds of your body.

For instance, if you want to elongate your legs, choose higher-waisted jeans. Similarly, if you want to make a shorter torso look longer, wear a top that comes down to your hips.

The last rule covers how tight or loose your cuff should be. Skinnier jeans will have a tighter cuff, while baggier jeans will have a looser cuff.

As we’re covering skinny jeans, aim to have a tighter cuff. Roomier cuffs may distract from your ankle boot and are more likely to roll down as you go about your day.  

Try A Split Hem

Split hem jeans tend to work better with heeled ankle boots. You’ll also want to keep an eye on the length of the jeans as they can vary on each pair.

Some can be longer in the back and shorter in the front, but you can find others that have an even length throughout.

If your split-hem jeans are longer in the back, a lower shaft bootie will prevent the jeans from covering them. You should be able to see a little bit of your ankle, but not too much.

Styling Skinny Jeans And Ankle Boots

Now that we’ve covered some tips on pairing skinny jeans and ankle boots together, here are a few tried and tested looks that are guaranteed to make you look stylish.

Cropped Skinnies, Chelsea Boots, And An Oversized Jumper

Cropped Skinnies, Chelsea Boots, And An Oversized Jumper

What better way to show off your boots than pairing them with cropped skinny jeans? Make sure your pair ends above your ankle or just touches the top of your shoe.

Complete this look with a baggier sweater that ends below your hips. Cropped pants can make your legs look shorter, but a longline jumper combats this by elongating your top half.

The sweatshirt also keeps you cozy and adds some more texture to your outfit.

Cuffed Jeans, Pointed Boots, And A Statement Coat

This is a great option if your skinny jeans are a little bit too long. Roll the hem up so that it ends just above your ankle bone.

Make sure that the size of the folds isn’t too big, as this can distract from your outfit. In this case, a single cuff will look better than a double cuff without taking attention off of your boots.

Pointed boots will also make your legs look longer, especially if your jeans and shoes match in color, eg. black skinnies and black pointed boots.

A statement coat is a great way to round off this look. Faux fur, bold patterned, or a bright-colored coat will stop the outfit from looking too two-dimensional.

Black Skinnies, Black Boots, And A Black Shirt

When done right, a monochrome outfit can make you look taller, slimmer, and put together. Black is a classic color that most people have inside their wardrobes.

To stop this outfit from looking too bland, play around with some texture on top. The choices are endless.

You could go for a sequined shirt, a metallic top, or a teddy coat, as long as they are black.

Keep the proportions in mind, making sure that either your top or bottom half takes up two-thirds of your body.

Heeled ankle boots tend to look better than flats with this look, as a monochrome outfit is normally a bolder statement.

This doesn’t need to be a huge heel! Low to mid heels work better with skinny jeans; higher heels look better with wide-leg ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Should Skinny Jeans Fall On The Ankle?

Skinny jeans that fall just above the ankle look good with heels, flats, and sneakers. If skinny jeans are too long, the extra fabric can bunch at the bottom, looking sloppy as a result.

Similarly, skinny jeans that show too much of the calf can make your legs look shorter and wider.

Cropped skinnies can look stylish, but it’s best to pair these with a heeled shoe so that they don’t cut you off.

Do You Wear Skinny Jeans In Or Outside Boots?

You can tuck skinny jeans into your boots, but they must be the right ones. Skinnies that are longer and tighter on the leg can look good inside ankle boots.

Tucking looser jeans into ankle boots is a no-no, as the fabric may bunch up and move around your ankles.

Similarly, trying to tuck shorter skinny jeans into your ankle boots can lead to the hem rising too often.

Shorter or looser skinny jeans look good with ankle boots when they are lightly cuffed, showing a little bit of ankle.

Can You Wear Straight-Leg Jeans With Ankle Boots?

Straight-leg jeans look best with ankle boots when they don’t show your ankle. If your pair is slightly too long, try rolling them up so that they don’t cover your boot.

Ankle boots look best with straight-leg jeans when they aren’t bulky. Choose ones that hug your ankle, like sock boots, or zippered mid-calf boots.

Your straight-leg jeans should fall over the boots, but they shouldn’t hide the shoe completely.

In Summary

Ankle boots and skinny jeans look fantastic paired together, as long as you follow a few tips! Cropped and split hem jeans can elevate an outfit.

If your jeans are too long, a simple cuff or two can solve this problem. Have fun playing around with different colors, textures, and proportions.

Fashion is supposed to be fun, so if you don’t fancy following these tips, that’s ok!

Skinny jeans and ankle boots are just one way to look stylish and put together. Wearing whatever makes you feel good is more important!

Haley Shaw