Flowy pant silhouettes are a classically chic style I’ll never tire of, but when it comes to the question of what shoes wear with wide-leg pants, I’m sometimes a little less sure. The trick is finding a pair that won’t disappear completely under your hems and make your legs look like they’ve been cut short, and that also won’t allow your pants to drag along the sidewalk (despite Princess Catherine’s attempt to revive the puddle pants trend). It’s a tricky combo, but I’ve found the following five styles are guaranteed to complement your favorite wide-leg trousers beautifully. Now all that’s left is to choose a top…and handbag…and jewelry…
Wondering What Shoes to Wear with Wide-Leg Pants? These Are the Only 5 Styles You Need to Know
five styles that never fail
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Published Sep 30, 2024
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1. Pointy-Toe Shoes
Heels, even a small kitten heel, are likely your best bet to avoid dragging your hems, but pointy-toe flats will also look super cute under wide-leg pants. The exaggerated front sticks out from under your hems so your feet don’t look weirdly cut off, and also helps elongate your legs—a true win-win situation.
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2. Platforms and Chunky Soles
Another way to add some distance from the hem of your trousers and the ground is with a platform shoe. This can be a ‘70s-inspired heeled sandal, a lug-sole platform loafer or even a chunky comfy sneaker. Even with a rounded toe or simpler silhouette, the substantial sole clearly designates the end of your wide-leg pants, all without stressing your arches nearly as much as a traditional heel.
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3. Heeled Boots
This works particularly well with wide-leg pants that have a slightly cropped silhouette, hitting at or just above the ankle rather than grazing your toes. And while narrower pant styles require boots that meet your hems (unless you can tuck your pant into the shaft of the boot like with a skinny jean and knee-high style), wide-leg trousers allow you to hide just about any style boot underneath all that fabric. This is a total game-changer for winter, when you can sport a pair of warm, knee-high boots under a wide-leg pant to keep your legs, ankles and feet comfy and cozy without sacrificing style.
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4. Shoes with Detailing on the Toe
Statement bows, crystal embellishments or even some contrasting shoelaces will all complement wide-leg pants. For cropped cuts, the detailing will help elongate your legs and balance out the flared fabric around your ankles. And for longer lengths, it is another way to prevent your feet from being swallowed up under your hems.
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5. Contrasting Colors
No matter what shoe you choose, opting for a contrasting color will again help to make your shoe stand out, even if all you can see is the tip of the toe. You don’t even need to go to extremes, so long as there is a distinct difference between your trousers and your shoes—like gray and white, brown and navy, red and pink, etc.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Wear Sneakers with Wide-Leg Pants?
Yes, you can wear sneakers with wide-leg pants! A good rule of thumb to follow is that the longer your hems, the chunkier your sneaker should be. So if you’re rocking a wide-leg jean that hits right at your ankle, go forth and rock some retro Adidas Sambas or a minimalist pair of Keds. But if you’re sporting a longer trouser style, be sure to choose a sneaker with a more substantial sole.
What Kind of Top Should I Wear with Wide-Leg Pants?
Much of this depends on the specifics of the pants you’re wearing (fabric, rise, color and silhouette are all important factors), but in general I like to follow the Sandwich Rule. You can treat your wide-leg pants as the “meat” of your outfit and sandwich is between a slim-fitting tee and minimalist flats. Or you can make it the bottom pieces of “bread” balanced by a voluminous top that’s conveniently tucked in to your waistband with a contrasting belt to give your figure some definition.
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