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

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Flowy pant silhouettes are a classically chic style we’ll never tire of, but when it comes to the question of what shoes wear with wide-leg pants we’re 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 the currently popularity of puddle pants). It’s a tricky combo, but we’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…

Puddle Pants Are a New Kate Middleton-Approved Trend, but We’re Not Sure How to Feel


what shoes to wear with wide leg pants flats
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

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. 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)

what shoes to wear with wide leg pants platforms
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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 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)

what shoes to wear with wide leg pants boots
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3. Heeled Boots

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)

what shoes to wear with wide leg pants bows
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

4. Shoes with Detailing on the Toe

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)

what shoes to wear with wide leg pants
Kristin Sinclair/Getty Images

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.

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)



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Editor

Abby Hepworth is an RRCA-certified running coach who has worked in fashion for over 10 years. Want to know what shoes are in this season? She's got you. Need recommendations on...