# Sneakers with jeans: yay or nay? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 23, 2005, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127 "2005-05-23T18:17:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Licentious_Ectomorph)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/1 "2005-05-23T18:17:20Z")
Over in MPSIMS, in the thread about [The lamest reason you had for breaking up with or not dating someone?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=317778&page=1&pp=50) , somebody mentioned wearing sneakers with jeans, and several others concurred. This surprised me, as I’m 34 years old and have never in my life even heard it suggested that sneakers are not okay to wear with jeans. To me, sneakers are for casual everyday wear, and as such are among the few things that _can_ be worn with jeans without looking odd. But evidently, some people hold that sneakers are for athletic activities only – a position I can’t get on board with, especially since some of the alternatives they posited, such as cowboy boots or combat boots, are just as “specialized” as sneakers. What’s more, I’m gay, so I have to believe that if I had been committing a fashion faux pas all these years, _somebody_ would have called me out for it by now. No self-respecting queer would let an opportunity for a catty comment slip by. 😃 So what’s the deal? Is the proscription of jeans and sneakers a regional thing? An age thing? Is it different for men and women? What do you wear with your jeans? ---
**Author:** ![Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Licentious_Ectomorph)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/2 "2005-05-23T18:20:06Z")
> [@Licentious Ectomorph](#): > > Sneakers with jeans: yay or nay? Hmm…maybe that should be “yea”? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/3 "2005-05-23T18:22:21Z")
Bah on the style-mavens. Sneakers, running shoes, etc. can be worn just about everywhere, with just about everything. Jeans only work with sneakers or boots. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/4 "2005-05-23T18:22:33Z")
> [@Licentious Ectomorph](#): > > What do you wear with your jeans? Whatever I want to wear. You can, too. If someone judges you by such a trivial matter, you should move on from that person. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/5 "2005-05-23T18:23:01Z")
Well, don’t ask me. I think flip-flops should _never_ be worn, yet that’s all I see anyone wearing anymore. Now I’m going to check out that other thread to find out if that’s what we’re “supposed” to be wearing… ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/6 "2005-05-23T18:23:05Z")
Yea, I read the same thread and I was as surprised as you were. I mean, sneakers (athletic shoes/whatever you want to call them) and jeans seem to me a very natural combination. I’ve worn’em that way all my life and have seen women wear that combination all my life. Very rarely have I seen anyone wear anything else with jeans. In case you’re tracking statistics or whathaveyou, I’m male, straight, age 40, Dallas, Texas. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/7 "2005-05-23T18:27:30Z")
Actually, a couple of weeks ago, I wound up rather confused when the gentleman I’m dating asked me to join him for ballroom dancing lessons and asked me to wear jeans, but not sneakers. Sneakers are what I usually wear with jeans, and the alternative, sandals, wasn’t going to work – I didn’t want to worry about my shoes staying on in addition to getting the steps right and not stepping on anyone’s feet. I picked up a pair of loafers. FTR, I’m female, straight, out of my 20s, and not at all fashion conscious. I’ve also convinced the gentleman that wearing a skirt to go dancing in is far more comfortable and appropriate than wearing jeans, although it took a surprising amount of work! CJ ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/8 "2005-05-23T18:30:01Z")
Never heard of it myself. I wear either sneakers or sandals with jeans, depending on how far I’m walking. However, you must take into account that I’m in San Diego, where sneakers are considered semi-formal. Most people in my neighborhood live in flip-flops–and, no, putting sparkly stuff on them, as is currently the fashion, isn’t fooling anyone. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/9 "2005-05-23T18:31:56Z")
Sneakers (epecially vintage ones) with jeans are among my favorite things to wear on the weekends. ---
**Author:** ![Tupug\_Anachi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@Tupug\_Anachi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tupug_Anachi)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/10 "2005-05-23T18:32:34Z")
I saw that, too, and said to myself “WTF”? 😕 Tried googling “jeans and sneakers” and vice versa and got an amazing number of results. FTR, I wear boots, mules, or sandals with jeans just cause I like to have a little heel when I wear them, but that’s just personal preference. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/11 "2005-05-23T18:32:53Z")
Hello. My name is eleanorigby, and I am a fashion faux pas. I wear jeans and “sneakers” almost every day. I wear athletic shoes (my preferred term, unless said shoe is a flat white Ked with a pointy toe or a high-top Converse) with my scrubs. There is no hope for me. (oh, yeah-I’m already married, so don’t obsess about other people’s arbitrary and unreasonable rules! 🙂 ). ---
**Author:** ![Corii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Corii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corii)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/12 "2005-05-23T18:33:11Z")
I wear my [comfy sneakers](http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/1376311/c/31244.html) with jeans/slacks when I expect to be doing a lot of walking (mostly days when I have night class) otherwise I wear other shoes. I personally think the workout type sneakers are ugly as heck and only wear my ratty pair on the treadmill or when grubbing in the dirt. Just personal preference. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/13 "2005-05-23T18:34:59Z")
Here we call them tennis shoes, but that’s all I do wear with jeans. I don’t know of anything else that goes with jeans better. If you wear flip flops with anything but swimwear, that’s where it gets tacky in my book. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/14 "2005-05-23T18:35:41Z")
I dont’ wear jeans all that often but when I do, I wear either [pointy toed cowboy boot shoes](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63889&item=3975343523&rd=1), [hot pink clogs](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63889&item=3975345704&rd=1) (for a really casual look), or [flats](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=53564&item=3975892212&rd=1) for work. I think running shoes are more OK for guys (although, something like [this](http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/5983892/c/45246.html) would be a more fashionable choice) because they’re expected to be kinda clueless. Running shoes and jeans for women indicate a slight lack of hipness. She’d probably like John Mayer and Dave Mathews. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/15 "2005-05-23T18:35:59Z")
Huh. Apparently it’s the “soccer mom” look. Which makes sense, because I never knew there was anything wrong with it, but then again, I’m 34 years old and have two kids. I’m really hot, though, so I can pull it off. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/16 "2005-05-23T18:40:10Z")
I can see being annoyed by someone only ever wearing sneakers and jeans, or considering sneakers and jeans to be dressed up. But sneakers and jeans go together like top hat and tails fashion wise. Now sneakers, jeans, top hat and tails would be a fashion faux pas. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/17 "2005-05-23T18:40:25Z")
I have no idea what’s ‘wrong’ or ‘right’, but I don’t care for sneakers on myself unless I plan to do something that requires them. Therefore, I usually wear loafers when I wear jeans. Cowboy boots would probably really be the optimal thing to wear, however, considering the history of blue jeans and cowboy boots as Western work wear. As a woman, I particularly loathe the trend toward giant honking sneakers. If I wanted my feet to look like boats, I’d rent a pair of pontoons, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/18 "2005-05-23T18:45:04Z")
I wear sneakers with jeans. Clean, well-cared-for sneakers, not my actual-physical-activity sneakers, which are kind of ratty. All three pairs of those shoes in the links scare me. I wouldn’t wear them but I wouldn’t wear flip-flops either. I would wear [these](http://shop.skechers.com/shop/women/shoes/special/index.jskx?STYLE=CASUAL&INDEX=0&VIEWALL=FALSE&SORT=POPULAR&PRODID=2405678) or [these](http://shop.skechers.com/shop/women/shoes/special/index.jskx?STYLE=BOOTS&INDEX=1&VIEWALL=FALSE&SORT=POPULAR&PRODID=2398489) with jeans, or sneakers. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/19 "2005-05-23T18:46:09Z")
That’s funny, I was just previewing a post that bashed the loafers with tapered jeans look. Ctrl + A, Delete. Done and done. ---
**Author:** ![lizardling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@lizardling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lizardling)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127/20 "2005-05-23T18:48:03Z")
Bwah? FTR, the current pair of sneakers I own are ones that should’ve been dead and buried years ago. But it still stands - I have never heard of explicitly _not_ wearing sneakers with jeans. Except in the aforementioned dancing example – I’ve personally found that the rubber soles are not ideal for a situation where you do want to slide around. Disclosure: Laid-back female TX expat to SEA. Usual footwear: Flip-flops, combats, or motorcycle boots. Flipflops are tacky? Tell that to the thousands of uni students running around. :dubious: Well, I grant sparkly flipflops are kind of scary… 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sneakers-with-jeans-yay-or-nay/305127.md?page=2)