Forget Black Sandals—This Is the Elegant Colour That Makes White Jeans Look Their Chicest

I’m not quite sure how I managed to go so long without them, but I only just acquired my first-ever pair of white jeans this month. For years, they somehow escaped my radar—probably because I’d written them off as tricky to style or too easy to stain. But now that I finally own a pair, I don’t mean to sound dramatic, but they’ve completely transformed my wardrobe.

My summer denim looks suddenly feel lighter, fresher and far more elevated than anything my trusty blue jeans could offer. The crisp white wash brings a brightness to my daily outfits that I genuinely didn’t realise I was missing. Naturally, as a white-jeans novice, I’ve spent the past few weeks trying them on with just about every pair of shoes I own—and it quickly became clear that the chicest combinations all had one thing in common: brown sandals.

Softer than black but just as impactful, brown sandals bring a warm contrast to white denim that makes any outfit feel thoughtfully styled. Opt for a deeper, chocolatey hue and you’ll also be tapping into the rich brown trend that’s been bubbling away for several seasons now. With its depth and natural elegance, this shade gives any summer look a directional edge.

Need proof? Just look to Sabrina Elba, who was spotted at Wimbledon this month wearing the exact formula. She styled her white jeans with a bright white shirt, dark brown sandals, and a charming Bottega Veneta bag. The overall effect was fresh, clean and quintessentially summery—no loud prints or bold colours necessary.

Fresh, easy and enduringly chic, read on to discover my edit of the best brown sandals and white jeans below.

Shop White Jeans and Brown Sandals:

Style with brown sandals or pair with pretty mary janes.

I really can't see these staying in stock for long.

I recently got these jeans myself, and I've been wearing them weekly ever since.

A.Emery

Jalen Slim Leather Sandals

A.Emery's sandals are a fashion person's favourites.

Aligne

High Rise Straight Leg Jeans

These perfectly slouchy jeans look more expensive than they actually are.

Reformation

Lenora Flat Sandal

These slip-on sandals also come in two other shades.

Hush

Cordelia Barrel Leg Jeans

These come in regular and short lengths, so you can find your perfect fit.

Ancient Greek Sandals

Eleftheria Footbed

The chocolate brown colour trend isn't showing any signs of slowing down.

Arket

Lupine Flared Jeans

While I love these in the white, they also come in four other shades.

& Other Stories

Leather Slingback Flat Sandals

The rich brown shade makes these so easy to slot into a capsule wardrobe.