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5 Ways to Style Boots with Jeans

This combo may be a classic, but with these expert styling tips, you can dress it up or down to create fresh, new looks - without losing the casual comfort that makes it such a perfect pairing.

6 Min. Watch | Get Outside Guide

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[00:00:00.08] Hey there. I'm Donnell, fashion director and expert. I'm here in Freeport, Maine at the L.L.Bean headquarters to show you how to style boots with jeans for men and women. Let's go.

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[00:00:12.38] Text. L.L. Bean presents How to Wear Boots with Jeans.

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[00:00:16.19] I'm here in the work room where I get inspired by textures, colors, patterns, and an array of denim. One thing I love about denim and boots is that there's so much versatility, right? You can really, really showcase your personality. Before we get started with the styling tips, let me introduce you to my models for today, Cole and Chelsea. What's up, guys?

[00:00:36.17] Hey.

[00:00:36.62] Thanks for having us.

[00:00:37.28] Of course. Absolutely.

[00:00:38.63] I'm excited to learn some styling tips today.

[00:00:41.03] Great. Let's get started.

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[00:00:43.02] Cuffed jeans over boots. Text, Tip 1.

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[00:00:45.76] Donnell, I always struggle to know what style jean works best with what style boot.

[00:00:49.72] This is what I like to call the boot-to-jean ratio. You don't want a pair of jeans that are too wide at the bottom. That'll cover up the boot. And you don't want them too skinny, too tight because then they'll just hover over top of the boot. This is the perfect. Like, a straight leg is perfect because it's not too much boot. It's not too much jean. It's literally the perfect pairing. Personally, I love this. And I wouldn't put you in anything that I wouldn't wear.

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[00:01:15.65] Ankle jeans over women's boot with socks.

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[00:01:17.96] I love these boots. Do you have any advice or tips on how to show them off?

[00:01:23.35] Well, first things first, you probably love these boots because they're called Chelsea boots.

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[00:01:26.93] Tip 2, Show the Boot.

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[00:01:27.36] [LAUGHS]

[00:01:27.67] Also, we have the jeans rolled so that they kind of hover above the boot to show off this really cool rag sock and the boot, along with these really cool, distressed moments with the jean. I like using rag socks because they have this cool, rugged sensibility to them. But they can also be paired in a very chic way. These jeans specifically are a boyfriend-fit jeans. So they're a little bit looser. And they have this unfinished type of vibe where it's kind of rough and tumble.

[00:01:57.31] And I paired it with these Chelsea boots. It gives you a really chic, elevated best of both worlds.

[00:02:03.13] I love it.

[00:02:03.79] Awesome.

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[00:02:04.54] Pea coat with boots and cuffed jeans. Text, One Cuff is Enough.

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[00:02:07.85] One way I really like to style jeans and boots is with just one cuff. I feel like one cuff is enough. It also just showcases that you don't have to do a lot to look stylish. I wanted to kind of cover the boot a little bit. I feel like it's super chic. It's understated. But it still has, like, a powerful presence. I paired it with a denim shirt, so there's a nice through line with a denim jeans. It's very slimming. It's also just very understated.

[00:02:36.32] I've paired this look with this oversized peacoat with the collar popped and this kind of distressed, vintage-esque glove. You can wear this virtually anywhere. You've got all of these powerful solids together. You can dress it up. It'll look chic going out to dinner. It'll look amazing hanging out with your friends. It's a timeless look. And you'll look incredible virtually anywhere.

[00:02:59.66] I feel fly.

[00:03:00.62] You are fly.

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[00:03:01.45] Try it out.

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[00:03:02.00] Another thing I love doing in styling is pairing denim on denim on denim. I love this midrinse jacket paired with a darker rinse denim top and these really cool, wide-leg jeans that complement the jacket.

[00:03:16.51] I love these boots. Would you pair them with any other denim?

[00:03:20.01] Absolutely. I would probably lean more towards a straight-fit denim or a skinny-fit denim because the boots are a little bit slim. And you want to be able to kind of showcase that. If I'm pairing wide-leg denim with boots, I like to use a skinnier boot, just so you really get a chance to showcase that wide-leg aspect. But you can also wear these with a skinnier jean or a straight-fit jean because the straight fit will just hover above the boot. And you'll still be able to pull it over the boot.

[00:03:49.44] The skinny fit will fall right above the boot. So you'll be showing a little bit more boot than any other way with any other denim. So I think any of those ways will really work. But you'll know. Like, the whole thing about styling is just trying things out. You know? You got to make sure that it feels good. And if you feel good, it'll look good. And if you're ever in doubt, just reach out to me.

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[00:04:09.87] Fit is Key.

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[00:04:11.13] One really important aspect to styling is fit. Fit is absolutely key. It's the most essential.

[00:04:18.00] That's so true. I have a lot of issues finding the right denim for my body type. Do you have any suggestions for that?

[00:04:24.54] There's so many different types of jeans out there. There's high waist. There's low waist. There's wide leg. There's classic. There's skinny. There's so many. You can get really confused. But Bean has a really good resource online that shows you exactly all those different fits and how they're supposed to fit. One other thing that I want to say about you guys in the jeans that you're wearing now, you're wearing these skinny jeans with a really slim boot. You have these classic-fit jeans that are styled to perfection right above the chukka boots.

[00:04:52.80] And the one thing that you guys both have in common is that they fit impeccably. You both look amazing.

[00:04:59.77] Thank you. I feel so good in these jeans.

[00:05:02.01] Probably the most comfortable jeans I've ever worn.

[00:05:04.05] Awesome.

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[00:05:05.32] Chelsea and Cole in dark cuffed jeans and boots.

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[00:05:08.68] We've covered some of my favorite styling tips today-- boot-to-jean ratio, cuffs, showing the boot, trying new things, and fit is key. Follow any of these tips and you're bound to land on an awesome look. Remember, L.L.Bean has so many different, cool options to explore. And do just that, explore. Try this. Try that. Try all the different jeans types and boot types. And I'm sure you're going to look amazing. Chelsea and Cole, thank you guys for being my models for today.

[00:05:38.98] Thank you, Donnell. I learned a lot.

[00:05:41.26] Looks like it's time to update my wardrobe.

[00:05:43.06] Absolutely. Now it's time for you to give these things a try. Share your own tips of styling boots with jeans in the comments below. For more styling tips, outdoor how-tos, and expert advice, visit llbean.com/explore. And don't forget to like and subscribe so you don't miss our next video.

[00:06:01.42] [MUSIC PLAYING]

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[00:06:01.75] Jeans are displayed on a wall and boots sit on a shelf.

It's hard to beat the classic combination of boots and jeans. It's effortless, comfortable, and an everyday essential that can be found in most closets. One of the things we love most about the pairing is how versatile you can be. Whether you want to be formal or casual, rustic, or sleek, finding the right style can be as simple as deciding which type of boot to pair with your jeans. Here are our 5 tips for styling your boots with jeans, courtesy of wardrobe stylist Donnell.

Tip 1: Boot-to-Jean Ratio

If you struggle like some of us trying to figure out what jeans go best with what boots, all you need do is look at the boot-to-jean ratio, or how much jean or boot you want to show.

1. If you want to showcase your boots, you don't want a pair of jeans that are too wide at the bottom where it will cover up the boot.

2. If you're looking to cover the boots slightly, avoid jeans that are too skinny or too tight as they will hover over the top of the boot.

3. When in doubt, straight leg style jeans are often the most balanced way to show just the right amount of boot and jean.

Shop This Look

Tip 2: One Cuff is Enough

When deciding how much to roll up your jeans, consider sticking to one cuff. It's an easy way to look stylish without doing a lot. Plus, you can dress it up for a nice dinner or dress it down when hanging out with friends.

1. One cuff allows you to cover the boot a little bit for a chic look that's understated but still has a powerful presence.

2. Pair it with a denim shirt so there's a nice tie back to the jeans. It's very slimming, too.

3. Add an oversized peacoat and distressed vintage-like gloves for a timeless look featuring powerful solids you can wear almost anywhere.

Tip 3: Show the Boot

They say if you've got it, flaunt it. In other words, when you have a great looking pair of boots, showing them off is all part of the plan.

1. Roll your jeans up so they hover just above the boot. This way you can fully showcase your boot style and stay sleek.

2. Pair with a Chelsea boot for a smooth, balanced look that feels elegant and effortless. It's the best of both worlds.

3. Complete the look with distressed jeans and rag socks for fun splashes of color, texture, and other features.

Tip 4: Try it Out

Styling is all about trying things out until you find the look you love. And when it comes to boots with jeans, there are so many possible combinations to love. So, have fun playing around with patterns and colors. Mix and match different styles. And don't be afraid to be bold.

1. How about denim on denim on denim? Pairing a mid-rinse denim jacket with a darker rinse denim top and wide leg jeans will complement the jacket and really let your boots shine.

2. The kind of boots you choose helps determine the right kind of jeans. If the boots are slimmer or skinnier, choose a wide leg, straight fit or skinny fit style of denim. If the boots are chunkier, consider using a heavier boot so the boot to jeans ratio feels balanced and looks amazing.

3. Whatever combos you end up choosing, the most important thing is to do what feels good to you. Because if you feel good, you're going to look good.

Tip 5: Fit is Key

One of the most essential aspects of styling is fit. If your denim isn't fitting you right, you're going to have a hard time creating a style that looks, and feels, right.

1. It's important to make sure the fit of your jeans meets all your needs, such as proper sizing, body type, activity level, and any other preferences.

2. There are lots of different jeans to choose from, including high waist and low waist, wide leg, classic, skinny, and a myriad of other denim styles. Make sure you choose one that fits you best for your preferred look.

3. Not sure what your best size and style is? Use L.L.Bean's helpful Fit Guide to find the right pair of jeans in just the right fit. A simple thing like making sure your jeans fit well goes a long way to achieving the style you want.

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