Whether you've been long waiting for cooler temperatures, or you're holding on to every last ray of sunshine you can get, there's no avoiding the fact that autumn is officially on the horizon. But one silver lining we can all agree is worth celebrating is the fact that we'll soon be back to wearing denim on the daily.
While pulling on our jeans might be a no-brainer, deciding what shoes to wear with them is a little trickier. As the clouds roll in, the breeze picks up, and the mercury starts to drop, it's time to say goodbye to your flip-flops and switch out open-toe footwear for more practical options. Luckily, there's no shortage of stylish shoes to choose from, as verified by the autumn/winter 2026 runways held waaay back in February. We might not have thought about them in months, but the time has finally come when they are more relevant than ever. And frankly, we could not be more ready.
If you are too – or maybe you're just yet to book in for a fresh pedicure – you can't go wrong with one of the below jeans and closed-toe shoes outfit combos that effortlessly nail transseasonal dressing and offer a fresh take on denim for the new szn. Don't just take our word for it, check them out for yourself...
High-waist jeans + ballet flats
Victoria Beckham famously declared in her 2006 forgotten fashion manual (titled That Extra Half an Inch and now only available to buy on eBay) that wearing skinny jeans with ballet flats would leave you looking like your legs were golf clubs. Either way, it's certainly a dated look, and we'd recommend pairing your pumps with a more modern high-waisted, straight-cut silhouette for laid-back, cool girl style.
Turn up jeans + loafers
We hate to take sides on the generational sock culture war, so consider socks (mid-calf or ankle) optional when worn with your loafers. As for your jeans, opt for a cuffed pair – or, ya know, just turn up the hems on your favourite style – to ensure your shoes take centre stage.
Frayed hems + kitten heels
Slingback kitten heels have prim and proper connotations, so we love the idea of pairing them with distressed denim. Whether you opt for subtle clashing with frayed hems or go full grunge with rips and holes, it's a guaranteed sartorial slay.
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Skinny jeans + cowboy boots
Skinny jeans have been ‘out’ for a while now, but the trend of tucked-in trews provides the perfect opportunity for you to dig yours out from the back of your wardrobe. If you swore never to return to the skin-tight silhouette, you can still get in on this look with any slim or narrow-leg jean. Or, just allow for bunching at the tops of your knee-high boots.
Wide-leg jeans + animal print shoes
Animal print isn't going anywhere this autumn! Cow print, leopard spots, zebra stripes, snake print and even delicate deer hide – the options are endless. Rather than making this the focal point of your outfit, rely on the voluminous hems of your wide-leg jeans to offer just a peek of pattern.
Ankle-grazing jeans + Mary Janes
We love a preppy Mary Jane, especially in autumn. If you struggle to keep ballet flats on your feet, the signature strap on this shoe is a game-changer and deserves to be recognised as such with a pair of ankle-grazing jeans to show off their sleek silhouette.
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
