This fall's sneakers come in metallic leather, skate-inspired shapes, pops of colour and technical mesh. Choose one that suits your jeans and the rest falls into place. New Balance's brown 990s, adidas Originals' metallic Samba OGs, On's gray Cloudsurfer 2s and Isabel Marant's white suede Beth sneakers cover every style.

Light-wash denim looks best with a sneaker that has some weight. Salomon's brown XT-6s and Agolde's wide-leg Arc jeans make a relaxed base, Deiji Studios' brown drawstring T-shirt keeps it neutral, and Valentino's patchwork Panthea bag adds a dressier note.

White jeans and a soft sneaker look fresh well into fall. Dries Van Noten's light brown suede sneakers and Loulou de Saison's ivory Jude jeans are paired with Toteme's cream turtleneck, and Nili Lotan's brown leather Aime bomber brings in some weight.

Brown denim is a good change from blue. Magda Butrym's chocolate straight-leg jeans and Jacquemus's beige snake-effect Les Tennis sneakers keep the palette warm, while Polo Ralph Lauren's navy varsity-style jacket and Balenciaga's black Fan tote add contrast.

A straight jean is the easiest partner for a statement sneaker. Simone Rocha's lace-trimmed adidas Originals collaboration and Mother's blue Maven Skimp jeans are dressed up with Kallmeyer's sequin-striped shirt and Stella McCartney's gray oversized blazer.

Sneakers and jeans is an outfit most people already own, which makes it the best place to experiment. If you take one thing away, let it be that the colour of the jean should decide the sneaker: light wash works with chunkier styles, white denim with softer suede, and brown denim with warm neutrals. We would skip very technical running shoes with dressier pieces unless the contrast is intentional. A good jacket or blazer is what turns the pairing from errands into something you can wear to dinner. Suede and leather sneakers also tend to age better than mesh.