Skip to content
GQ British Lifestyle
Lifestyle

Not Brown, Not Black—This Surprising Shoe Colour Trend Makes Jeans Look Their Classiest

By Kevin Harson

Not Brown, Not Black—This Surprising Shoe Colour Trend Makes Jeans Look Their Classiest

If I’m leaving the house, nine times out of ten, I’m doing it in jeans. Whether I’m running to the shops, heading into the office, or dressing up for the evening, denim is my default. Over the years, I’ve learned which pieces bring out the best in my jeans, so I thought I had my pairings perfected. This week, however, I spotted Sofia Richie Grainge styling her denim with a shoe choice so elegant it stopped me mid-scroll.

Instead of reaching for a predictable jeans pairing, like black ballet flats or loafers, Sofia opted for a glossy pair of Saint Laurent Satin Heels (£805) in a warm shade of beige. While black might have felt too stark and brown, a little boring, the beige satin felt soft against the denim’s texture, as well as being subtly light-catching in a way that made her whole look feel expensive.

Sofia Richie Grainge poses on a balcony wearing a light beige suede jacket, blue vintage Levi jeans and satin pointe-toe heels. She holds a black leather bag in her hand and wear black sunglasses.

Though I wear jeans daily, I’d never thought to pair them with beige satin heels. But the more I looked, the more it made sense. The sheen of the satin brings sophistication without overpowering, while the beige tone harmonises beautifully with pale-wash denim

To complete her look, Sofia layered on the SRG Eleanor Suede Bomber Jacket (£680) from her newly launched label, added black sunglasses, and carried a sleek leather tote.

Inspired by the easy, understated elegance of her outfit, I’ve tracked down Sofia's outfit, as well as curated an edit of the best beige heels, jeans and suede jackets on the market right now. Read on to discover my picks.

Shop Sofia's Look:

Elenore Suede Jacket

Shop the specific suede jacket Sofia loves.

501® 90's Ankle Straight-Leg Denim Jeans

Levis

501 90's Ankle Straight-Leg Denim Jeans

If you're going to invest in one pair of years, I recommend they be Levis 501s.

Saint Laurent L’entracte Slingback Pumps 110

Saint Laurent

L’entracte Slingback Pumps 110

These glossy satin shoes will elevate every single outfit.

Shop Beige Heels:

Pointed T-Strap Court Shoes

H&M

Pointed T-Strap Court Shoes

The T-bar design gives these classic beige heels a retro elegance.

Asos Design Samber Slingback Stiletto Heels in Ivory

Asos Design

Samber Slingback Stiletto Heels

Pair these with your favourite jeans or style with a floaty skirt.

Patent Heeled Shoes - Women | Mango United Kingdom

Mango

Patent Heeled Shoes

Be quick! These are on their way to selling out.

Ascent 55 Leather Slingback Pumps

Gianvito Rossi

Ascent 55 Leather Slingback Pumps

While I love these in beige, they also come in cream, grey and pink.

Shop Jeans:

Wide Regular Jeans

These also come in four other shades.

Column Straight-Leg Jeans

COS

Column Straight-Leg Jeans

COS' straight-leg jeans are some of my all-time favourites.

Matilda Medium-Rise Straight-Fit Jeans - Women | Mango United Kingdom

Mango

Matilda Medium-Rise Straight-Fit Jeans

In my opinion, every great wardrobe starts with a pair of straight-leg jeans.

High Waisted Stovepipe Straight Leg Jeans

Marks & Spencer

High Waisted Stovepipe Straight Leg Jeans

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

Shop Suede Jackets:

Napped Jacket

This roomy jacket layers well over thick knits.

Hush,

This warm shade of brown is so easy to slot into a capsule wardrobe.

Suede Funnel-Neck Bomber Jacket in Tan

Reiss

Suede Funnel-Neck Bomber Jacket

While I love this in the supple suede style, it also comes in a butter leather design.

Clay Funnel Neck Suede Cropped Jacket

AllSaints

Clay Funnel Neck Suede Cropped Jacket

Style this with denim or give it a boho energy and pair with a swishy skirt.

More Lifestyle

Not Brown, Not Black—This Surprising Shoe Colour Trend Makes Jeans Look Their Classiest - GQ British Lifestyle