How to Style Straight-Leg Jeans 7 Different Ways

The cropped lady-jacket, inspired by old-school Chanel designs, is still a major trend for fall 2025, and luckily for you, they also happen to work particularly well with a straight-leg jean. Choose a jacket or sweater that hits right at the top of your hips and button it up to wear as a shirt before adding in some kitten or block heels. The end result? A totally timeless outfit that gives off major Parisian vibes.

Pairing straight-leg jeans with a top of a similar fit (i.e. something neither form-fitting nor overly loose) can end up looking a bit blah, as there’s really not much to define your look. But if you play around with layering pieces of different lengths, you can find something very interesting indeed. That might mean unbuttoning the bottom of your shirt to show off a bit of your midriff and create a faux flare around the hips, or it might mean adding a third piece, like a jacket that is definitively longer than your top but doesn’t quite go all the way to the calf.

Straight-leg jeans are a fantastic base for those pieces with perhaps a more dramatic silhouette, striking an elegant balance while allowing your voluminous hourglass jacket or super-chunky sneakers to shine. However, I find this outfit idea is best done in conjunction with the Sandwich Rule—your statement-making item is one piece of bread and you’ll need a second piece of attention-grabbing bread on the opposite side of your denim filling. In the case of the above ‘fit, her bedazzled heels in a brilliant green help balance her flared jacket much better than a simple black flat or white sneaker would.

Unlike a skinny or wide-leg jean, straight-leg silhouettes don’t necessarily read as fashion forward right off the bat. Their vintage inspiration unconsciously evokes workwear and the origins of durable denim. So why not lean into that utilitarianism? Style your easy jeans with hiking boots, Dr. Martens lace-ups or cowboy boots and add a cropped barn or bomber jacket up top. And remember, you can always use accessories, like gold hoops or a sleek shoulder bag, to add some elevated touches if you like.

As is true for any pant silhouette, the length of your straight-leg jeans determines what kind of shoes pair best with them. If you’re rocking an ankle-baring cut, stick with flat shoes, like ballet flats or loafers. And on the flip side, if your jeans run a bit longer, heels will offer a much more proportional balance. They also don’t need to be sky high—platforms or even a kitten heel look just as chic as a 4-inch block heel.

Transform your weekend staple into workwear with other office-appropriate staples like a blazer, button-up shirt or classic pumps. For the fit of the blazer, look for something that hits right around the waist of your pants—so not too cropped, nor too oversized—to keep your proportions in check, and try adding a heel or pointy-toe shoe to help elongate your legs.

When in doubt, reach for those basic closet staples you depend on most. A plain white T-shirt, black sandals, a crewneck sweater, some low-profile sneakers—whatever it is that makes you feel comfortable and confident is guaranteed to pair well with some timeless straight-leg jeans. If you want to zhuzh things up a bit, try mixing in some bolder accessories. But remember, not every outfit needs to make a statement or feel boldly new. There’s a reason these simple wardrobe staples are indeed considered staples.