Fashion trends, from accessories to clothing items themselves, are always polarizing. The mom jeans are one style of denim that has always been popular. The popular ’80s/’90s denim style is still going strong in 2024. It’s known for its high-waisted, light washed silhouettes.
Wearing mom jeans is a great way to add some ease and comfort to your denim wardrobe. It is popular for its relaxed, easy feel and its humorous references to the styles of decades past. Mom Jeans are also endorsed by celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Gigi hadid, and Kendall Jenner.
There’s plenty of room to play when it comes to pairing mom jeans with shoes. The style is brought into the 21st century with contemporary silhouettes such as square-toed booties, platforms and slip-on mules. Denim can be worn with neutral-colored pumps, thick-soled shoes, or even high-top sneakers for a casual look that evokes the ’80s.
Allover Embellished Slip-Ons
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Pair your mom jeans and a pair of mules or loafers for a more relaxed look. Don’t forget to add some sparkle. If you choose a pair of closed-toe shoes with crystals or studs, they can make a quirky, edgy or punky statement. The rounded shape will complement any wash in the free-spirited style of denim.
Chunky Oxfords
Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
Contrast your mom jeans with chunky shoes for a sharp, comfortable look. The round-toed shoes in black or brown tones add a grungy edge to denim. Rubber soles with ridges or lugs will provide a solid base. Eva Chen, a style icon, wore mom jeans at New York Fashion Week. Complete your look with a collared coat or two for a sharp finish.
High Top Sneakers
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Lace up a pair high-top sneakers for a splash of color. Mom jeans’ hems, which are often positioned at the ankles or calves, let the shoes be seen in their full glory. The vibrant blue or toned down blue will go well with denim, which is usually blue or darker shades.
Motorcycle Boots
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Try tucking in your mom jeans with a pair motorcycle boots for a rugged look. These thick-soled boots, which are often made with dark leather, have rounded or squared feet that contrast the soft washes of mom jeans and their high silhouettes. Harnesses and buckled straps can also be used to add a hint of grunge or punk style.
Sky High Platform Mules
Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
The platform mules’ towering heights will make you look taller in mom jeans. Pairs with platform soles and thick heels give off a striking, dynamic silhouette. They also play into the taller shape of denim. For a sleek, sultry look, slip on a pair that has a glossy or metallic finish.
Smooth Leather Boots
Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
No matter where you stand on the mom jeans spectrum – a pair simple, smooth leather boots will always go well with the style. The denim styles of the ’80s, ’90s are best represented by pointed-toe pairs with mid- or low-height boots. Accents such as taller shafts or thin heels will bring this pair into the 2020s. Tones like classic black and warm caramel browns make a sharp statement.
Square Toed Boots
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Square-toed booties complement mom jeans with a stylish, but slightly quirky look. The angular look of denim is streamlined by a pair of smooth, rounded leather boots with heels that are mid-height. They also pay homage to the ’90s. The geometric look is also balanced out by wider-soled pairs, which have themselves been seen in a polarizing way.
Stark Pumps
Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
To add a touch of nostalgia to your mom jeans, pair them with light-colored pumps. Styles with pointed-toes in white or cream embrace the decade’s signature style while remaining modern and daring. Similar to all-white sneakers’ versatility, these stark pumps will give your denim a vintage edge, while also highlighting the lighter shades.
Thong Strapped Heels
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
The thong heels are just as controversial as mom jeans, so why not combine them for a bold and unique statement? The thong strap sandal, like its cousins with open toes, provides ventilation as well as a cutout when you are out and about. Square-toed styles in any height make a modern statement with their angular base, crossed straps and quirky edge.
Tinted slip-on Mules
Getty Images
The whimsical touch of slip-on mules will bring an element of fun to your mom jeans. The lighter blue washes of denim pair well with pastel shades, while the darker washes make colors pop off a contrasted base. The open-toed style of these shoes, which can be enhanced with details such as gathered satin uppers or block heels, creates a sweet and easygoing statement.
