What Shoes to Wear with Wide-Leg Pants for Maximum Chicness

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. The exaggerated front sticks out from the bottom of your pants so your feet don’t look weirdly cut off, and also helps elongate your legs.

Shop similar styles: Reformation Kenny Bare Heels ($298); Marc Fisher Ltd. Hadais Heeled Mules ($89); Nina Bristol Pumps ($89); Rothys The Point Flats ($149); Sam Edelman Wanda Flats ($120; $57)

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 sneaker.

Shop similar styles: Dolce Vita Harris Loafers ($130); Loeffler Randall Rikki Loafers ($350); Converse Chuck Taylor Platform Sneakers ($80); Hill House The Party Platforms ($295); La Canadienne Peetah Suede Boots ($498)

This works particularly well with wide-leg pants that have more of a 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.

Shop similar styles: Tony Bianco Brazen Booties ($166); J.Crew Stevie Boots ($248); Altar’d State Ensley Boots ($90); M.Gemi The Avena Leather Boots ($448); Vince Camuto Arendie Boots ($150)

Statement bows, crystal embellishments or even classic 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.

Shop similar styles: ASOS Velvet Bow Flats ($29); Badgely Mischka Collection Cher Heels ($235); Frances Valentine McCall Block Heels ($398); Boden LeatherPointed Toe Flats ($160); Sam Edelman Brit Kitten Heels ($150); Italeau Trino Loafers ($269)

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.

Shop similar styles: Vagabond Delia Flats ($120); Nike Court Vision Alta Leather Sneakers ($80); Everlane The Glove Boots ($130); Vince Oraya Slip-On Sneakers ($230); Dolce Vita Avie Booties ($90)