High fashion likes rules. No white after Labor Day. Don’t mix black with brown. Don’t wear gold accessories with silver. But, when has the West ever listened to rules? When it comes to you, your style, and what you need your clothing to do for you, you get to decide what works and what doesn’t.
Which brings us to the denim-and-boots fashion quiz that has defied resolution since denim met boots: Can I tuck my jeans into my boots?
Frankly, it’s a question that Ariat is perfectly comfortable answering, and we’re so glad that this iconic brand in western apparel is taking a stand on this debate, once and for all.
Denim tucked or untucked? The Ariat response is: Sure! It’s up to you. Just know where you stand.
The Fashion Guide
To prove that denim and boots can be paired any way you like ’em, we asked eight Ariat employees from its apparel and footwear teams to share their personal style with us.
We asked how they like to wear denim and boots to create their own personal look, and we think you’re going to like what they have to say!
Read on for fashion tips and ideas straight from the folks who deliver some of our very favorite boots and jeans.
Thanks, team Ariat, for sharing your personal wardrobes and tips with us!
When do you tuck? When my pants are too long or when I’m being silly.
When don’t you tuck? Well, based on the above, literally every day!
Favorite boots? Turnback, new F15 Stonewall
Describe your personal style? New Nashville (little country, little rock ‘n’ roll)
Describe your lifestyle? Concert-goer
Brooke – Merchandising Coordinator for Ariat Work & Outdoor Footwear
When do you tuck? I love to tuck my jeans. My favorite look is to roll up into big cuffs and then stack at the top of the shaft of my favorite x-toe!
When don’t you tuck? I would rather just roll a small cuff and stack on my boots when I am competing in the rodeo arena!
Favorite boots? Oh, this is a tough one! To compete in, I LOVE the Cassidy boot by Ariat. I love that it draws a vintage overlay with a modern wide square toe to make for a perfect on-trend performance boot! For a fashion boot, I have recently found myself wearing the Revel by Ariat a few days a week. I can wear it with anything: skinny jeans, trousers, with pants cuffed, or tucked in!
Describe your style? I would describe my style as western mixed with mainstream. I love bringing mainstream trends into western fashion. I find myself wearing bold colors and prints with big statement pieces!
Describe your lifestyle? My lifestyle consists of rodeo, rodeo, and more rodeo! When I am not working, I am either practicing or competing at rodeos and jackpots across the West Coast in breakaway roping and team roping. When I am not competing myself, I am traveling and supporting my boyfriend, who is a professional team roper.
Kelly – Ariat Brand Manager
When do you tuck? Most of the time! I often wear skinny jeans, so I usually wear my boots over my jeans, and pair with a longer, slouchy sweater or blouse.
When don’t you tuck? When I attend events like rodeos or head out to a ranch, I prefer boot cut jeans worn over my boots.
Favorite boots? I love a classic, timeless western boot, so the Alabama is one of my favorites. But it’s hard to pick just one!!
Describe your style? I have a pretty basic, laid back style… Boots, skinny jeans & longer, flowy top. I love the REAL Skinny because it’s relatively simple, and I don’t tend to wear a lot of bling.
Describe your lifestyle? I’m a city dweller now, but I love getting outdoors – hiking, backpacking, skiing. I grew up with quarter horses and named my very first horse “Pigtails.”
Meg – Ariat Apparel Merchandise Coordinator
When do you tuck? When wearing a skinny (like the REAL Skinny) or straight leg jean.
When don’t you tuck? When wearing a trouser or boot cut style jean.
Favorite boots? I have many, but my favorite right now is the Brooklyn.
Describe your personal style? A mix of classic, western vintage and a little boho somewhere in between. I am definitely a denim girl and love to pair my favorite Ariat trousers with just about anything!
Describe your lifestyle? Cowgirl at heart
Jen – Sr. Director, Ariat Denim Design*
When do you tuck? When I’m wearing skinny jeans.
When don’t you tuck? Never tuck with a boot leg or a trouser!
Favorite boots? Starling
Describe your style? Jeans (either REAL Skinny or our Ruby fit), white top, black tuxedo jacket, boots, lots of jewelry, messy hair!
Describe your lifestyle? Busy working girl and amateur rider
*This little asterix is our way of saying in a hushed voice that Jen’s opinion is kind of a big deal. If you can’t tell from her title, Jen holds the keys to denim style at Ariat. Sketches need her green light before any of them turn into jeans and end up in your closet.
Austin – Sr. Product Manager, Ariat Western Footwear
When do you tuck? Never
When don’t you tuck? Every day
Favorite boots? Ranchero for riding and Fire Catchers for nice events
Describe your style? Jeans: I don’t like a lot of the fashion stuff on my jeans, so I wear the original M2’s in the Swagger finish or the more basic M4’s.
Shirts: Time hasn’t totally caught up to me yet, so I still wear our pro series slim fits. I like the vertical stripe / plaid / or classic cowboy snap with double pockets. I also really like our tek polos.
Boots: I only wear leather soles, so I prefer the Rancheros or our new Leather Tek for riding. For the office or nice events, I wear our Fire Catchers with the Caiman Alligator feet.
Describe your lifestyle? I grew up running cattle with my grandparents on the Central Coast. I’m a competitive team roper now, rated as a 6+ header/ heeler. I train my own rope horses.
Sara Jo – Ariat Western Footwear Merchandising Coordinator
When do you tuck? Skinny jeans are a must when I decide to tuck my jeans into my fashion boots. The only time you will catch me tucking in my jeans while riding is when you find me at the wash rack.
When don’t you tuck? I never tuck my jeans in while wearing performance styled boots when riding at home, the ranch, or competing in rodeos.
Favorite boots? My favorite fashion style boots from Ariat include the Revel and the Gold Rush. My favorite performance boot is the Antonia.
Describe your style? The trousers are my favorite jeans, which are fashion forward to ride in, yet can get a light starch and be classy for those professional events to attend. And you can’t go wrong with any of the boyfriend jeans for any event!
Describe your lifestyle? Fourth generation cattle rancher with western fashion flair
Abbie – Designer, Ariat Women’s Apparel
When do you tuck? I usually tuck when I’m wearing my favorite REAL Skinny Jeans heading to watch my husband compete in ropings or other western events. I like to wear my taller fashion boots like the Singsong or the beautiful Revel, tucked in so the boot is showcased.
When don’t you tuck? When we visit my family’s ranch in Nevada I wear the REAL Jean and I never tuck it into my Legend boots. The dust and sagebrush isn’t something I want falling down my boots while we move cattle or brand! The REAL Jean does a great job of keeping the dust out of my boots, and I appreciate the long length so I don’t get high waters when I ride.
I also never tuck my boyfriend jeans, or trouser jeans. Instead, I roll the bottoms of my boyfriend jeans up a couple times for a “retro” look. That way my pretty boots are still visible, and the denim isn’t all bunched up inside my boot.
Favorite boots? Right now I’m obsessed with my turquoise Zealous and the Revel. The Zealous is spunky and retro. The Revel is classic and beautiful.
Describe your style? I’m a jean and tee shirt kind of gal; the Trouser Crossover and the REAL Skinny Whipstitch are my go-to.
I love the simplicity of this classic American look because I can pile on my favorite turquoise jewelry, a cool belt, and some great cowboy boots without too much fuss.
Describe your lifestyle? Designer, wife to a handsome Idaho cowboy, Native American jewelry collector, and a beef eater!
