Denim

I Only Wear Flats With Jeans—These Are the Styles I'm Wearing in 2024

Kristina Rutkowski  Mon, 11 Dec 2023  Who What Wear

Denim and flats make a pretty unparalleled combo for me. On the daily, I am running to and from brand appointments, schlepping my laptop on the subway from Brooklyn to Manhattan and back, normally not returning home until after dinner. Fussy outfits are a no-no, and uncomfortable shoes just won’t do when you're running all over town for 12 hours a day. Flats with jeans has become my perfect outfit godsend, a solution for both my achy soles and the daily dilemma of what to wear. No longer am I subscribing to trendy footwear (although, let’s face it—flats have been having a moment) or stuffy outfits. I have been opting for comfort instead.  

That’s not to say that I have become lazy with my dressing. Flats with jeans actually can be quite stylish. When styled in a classic way—my go-tos include a good blazer, leather belt, and simple T-shirt—the combination is timeless. From the ever-present mashup of straight-leg jeans and loafers (I’ll admit I own at least four different pairs of G.H.Bass Weejuns) to the mix of slouchier, wide-leg jeans with ballet flats (hitting directly on a wearable way to do ballet-core), I know these will become instant repeats in your weekly outfit rotation. Take a peek below at some of my favorite flats-and-jeans combos to inspire you.

A classic for good reason.

The iconic penny loafer feels more relevant than ever. 

High-waisted + a slimmer leg = perfection. 

For a winter-friendly twist, lean into velvet. 

The raw hem makes these feel totally modern. 

This two-tone black-and-white is giving off serious retro vibes. 

Straight and simple—you'll want to wear these over and over. 

This tassel version gets a modern-day twist in optic white. 

These are worth the investment. 

A little shine never hurt anyone. 

Choose from regular, short, and long hem lengths to make them flats appropriate.  

A street style staple. 

Feelin' groovy. 

Channel your inner Sporty Spice. 

A floor-skimming flare is made to be worn with flats.

A white sneaker is always en mode. 

No hemming required. 

Borrowed from the '80s but totally now. 

These have a little slimmer cut. 

A '70s flare pairs perfectly with a sneaker from the same era. 

We love the soft, worn-in feel. 

You can't get more classic than these.

This pair sits lower on the hips. 

Mix it up with a white accessory. 

An It-girl-approved favorite. 

Buttery leather perfection. 

Regular, tall, and petite sizes are all here. 

Lean into true ballet-core vibes with a nude version. 

You'll live in these baggy jeans from dawn to dusk. 

How cute is the delicate tie on these?