In the first part of this two-part series, we tackled how long and short the hems of 9 types of pants should be. The other side of the equation is the constant challenge of what shoes to wear with what pant style. Exactly what shoes should you wear with different styles of pants?
In this updated article featuring shoes you can shop for online right now, we demystify the most flattering shoe-pant combinations. How do you match your shoe styles with your pants?
Shoe options
Below are shoe styles ranging from peep-toe booties to brogues, sandals to slip-ons, which can all be combined with a number of pant styles.
The shoes you have in your closet will very much depend on your style personality.
Rollie derby lace-up flat shoe – Fly London ‘Yala’ perforated sandal – Naturalizer ‘Vera’ ankle strap sandal – Sole Society ‘Candrah’ bootie
Sam Edelman ‘Felicia’ flat – Steve Madden ‘Gemmy’ loafer flat – Marc Fisher LTD ‘Yulunda’ pump – Naturalizer ‘Everly’ pump
Sam Edelman ‘Laurna’ mule – Ted Baker London ‘Mhalil’ slingback pump – Clarks ‘Un Capri’ step platform wedge sandal – JSlides ‘Hippie’ laser platform sneaker
You can also wear long boots with your pants
Given that we are heading into winter, you may also want to consider pants you can wear with knee-high boots.
Naturalizer ‘Sterling’ knee high boot – Sam Edelman ‘Kerby’ knee high boot – Bella Vita ‘Braxton’ buckle knee high boot – Söfft ‘Sharnell’ water resistant knee high boot
What to consider when choosing shoes to wear with different styles of pants
Now that you’re thinking about different shoe and boot styles, and which ones you are drawn to, what should you consider when putting these shoes together into a stylish outfit with your pants?
Are there right and wrong options when you choose shoes to wear with different styles of pants?
Think about balance
Just as with the rest of your outfit, matching your shoes to your pants is all about balance. For example, if you are wearing wide, flowing palazzo or wide pants you can wear chunkier shoes, while if you have narrow pants, you may wish to mirror this with your shoe or heel style.
Melinda (above) opts for pointed toe flats with her skinny pants.
Recreate her outfit with these similar pants, flats, shirt, blazer, clutch bag and earrings.
Start from the bottom up
You may find it easier to think about your outfit in a different way. Start with your shoe selection and think about which pants will go best.
Rather than considering what shoes to wear with different styles of pants, you’ll then be looking at it from the other way around.
This can be a great way to think of different outfit combinations if you find that you’re bored with everything in your closet and you’re looking for outfit inspiration.
Bev (above) wears on-trend white mules which she matches to her shirt.
Check out these similar pants, sandals, shirt, handbag and necklace.
The best shoes to pair with every type of pants
Below you will find plenty of examples of which shoes will go with the pants in your closet.
There isn’t only one style of shoes which will match each style of pants, so there are a selection of options for you to choose from.
Ankle pants
It’s important to remember that ankle pants look best when worn immediately above or right on your ankle bone.
When selecting the right shoes, pairing ankle pants with high vamp shoes (booties, loafers, etc.) is the most flattering approach.
Whether flat, medium, or high-heeled, we certainly recommend trying a diversity of styles, as ankle pants tend to work well with a number of shoe styles.
Nuria (above) styles her ankle pants to perfection with a pair of classic pumps.
Steal her look with these similar pants, pumps, top, cardigan, handbag, belt and necklace.
Wit & Wisdom plaid ankle trousers – Sam Edelman ‘Laurna’ mule – Ted Baker London ‘Mhalil’ slingback pump – Rollie derby lace-up flat shoe – JSlides ‘Hippie’ laser platform sneaker
Bootcut pants
Bootcut pants are one of the most versatile styles of pants. They look best when they almost touch the floor, yet do not completely cover the entire shoe.
Depending on whether or not you’re going for a dressed up or casual vibe, you have a diversity of options with bootcut pants.
Pointy-toed pumps tend to look very chic when paired with bootcut pants, as do mid-heel height boots and loafer style flats.
Petra (above) opts for pointed animal print shoes with her bootcut jeans.
Check out this similar pair of jeans, leopard printed pumps, belted coat and handbag.
Joe’s high waist bootcut jeans – Naturalizer ‘Vera’ ankle strap sandal – Steve Madden ‘Gemmy’ loafer flat – Naturalizer ‘Everly’ pump – Sole Society ‘Candrah’ bootie
Boyfriend style pants
The epitome of chic comfort, boyfriend style pants look best with a cuff that hits at mid-calf.
Though the pants can be loose and relaxed, you can create a well-tailored look by selecting a more structured flat or heeled shoe. Jennifer Aniston, for example, often wears her boyfriend jeans with high heels.
Oxfords create an on-trend menswear inspired look and dress up the look. We also recommend pointed toe flats and low key sneakers.
Gail (above) wears her boyfriend jeans with heeled sandals and a blazer to elevate a casual look.
Check out this similar pair of boyfriend jeans, sandals, shirt and blazer.
AG boyfriend slim jeans – Naturalizer ‘Vera’ ankle strap sandal – Naturalizer ‘Everly’ pump – Rollie derby lace-up flat shoe – JSlides ‘Hippie’ laser platform sneaker
Cropped flared pants
The right fitting cropped flared pants should hit anywhere from mid-calf to right above your ankle bone.
When selecting shoes to wear with these pants, we recommend ensuring that you go with a lengthening look (best done with a monochromatic tone) and/or select a shoe that minimizes the flare to create a leaner bottom.
Our top shoe selections are block heels, mules, ankle boots (make sure your pants hit right at or below the top of the boots) and pointed toe heels.
If you go with boots for this look, a matching boot (black-on-black, nude-on-nude, etc.) is the best option to create a streamlined look.
Kim (above) looks stunning in her leather cropped flare pants with strappy sandals.
Steal her look with this similar pants, sandals, shirt, coat, necklace and bag.
DL1961 high waist crop flare jeans – Steve Madden ‘Gemmy’ loafer flat – Fly London ‘Yala’ perforated sandal – Ted Baker London ‘Mhalil’ slingback pump – Clarks ‘Un Capri’ step platform wedge sandal
Cropped wide leg pants
Cropped wide leg pants (like cropped flared pants) are quite on trend this season.
Though they can be a challenge to style, the payoff for getting it right is great. The goal is to avoid adding more volume to your bottom.
It’s usually best not to wear ankle straps with this pant style, as it may shorten the leg further. But, if you want to draw attention downwards or you have beautifully slim ankles, this could work, particularly if you choose shoes in the same color as your pants or your want to go for a more edgy look.
Select more dainty looks, such as structured pointy toe pumps, a loafer, and minimal mules.
Monika (above) styles her wide crop pants with heeled pumps.
Recreate her outfit with this similar pair of pants, pumps, blouse and clutch.
Halogen wide leg crop pants – Fly London ‘Yala’ perforated sandal – Naturalizer ‘Vera’ ankle strap sandal – Clarks ‘Un Capri’ step platform wedge sandal – JSlides ‘Hippie’ laser platform sneaker
Shoes for skinny jeans and skinny leg pants
The key to selecting the right pair of skinny leg pants is to remember that the less they bunch around the ankle, the easier it is to create a well-tailored look.
Go for a pair that hits right around or slightly above the ankle bone. Once you have the perfect pair selected, you also have the option of pairing skinny leg pants with a countless number of shoe styles.
Some of our favorite options are strappy sandal heels, pointed toe heels, flats, shorter ankle boots (make sure they fit a bit snugly around the ankle, and you could also opt for knee-high boots).
Sallyanne (above) shows how skinny jeans can be worn with knee-high boots.
Steal her look with this similar pair of skinny jeans, boots, blouse and sunglasses.
rag & bone high waist skinny jeans – Sam Edelman ‘Felicia’ flat – Sam Edelman ‘Laurna’ mule – Sole Society ‘Candrah’ bootie – Sam Edelman ‘Kerby’ knee high boot
Straight leg pants
Most shoes will flatter the straight leg, so the choice ultimately falls on the tone of the look you’re going for and the type of top you are wearing.
They are fuller than bootcut style pants, and some styles can cover the shoe more so than bootcut style pants.
Our favorite looks are strappy sandals, pointed toe pumps, boots (keep the shaft a bit taller to avoid a bunching look), and low key sneakers.
Psyche (above) opts for multi-colored strappy sandals with her straight navy pants.
Check out this simila pair of trousers, top, sandals, belt and earrings.
BOSS straight leg wool pants – Steve Madden ‘Gemmy’ loafer flat – Ted Baker London ‘Mhalil’ slingback pump – Marc Fisher LTD ‘Yulunda’ pump – Naturalizer ‘Everly’ pump – JSlides ‘Hippie’ laser platform sneaker
Wide leg pants
Wide leg pants will always look best below the ankle bone and/or skimming the floor. Completely flat shoes can be paired with this pant style, but we definitely recommend ensuring that if you go that route you keep it well tailored.
A very slouchy look is not flattering on all body types, and the casual chic vibe can quickly turn into a sloppy and unflattering look.
Whether you select a very minimal 1-inch heel or 3-inch heels, a bit of height will help create a longer silhouette.
For this look, we recommend block style heels, chunky heels, wedges, and strappy sandals. Pointed toe pumps can work great, as well, just make sure the pants are not so long that the toe of your pump continuously gets caught on the material.
Ashley (above) opts for a stylish pair of slightly-rounded toe silver loafers with her wide-legged pants.
Recreate her outfit with this similar pair of pants, shirt, cardigan, loafers and necklace.
Faherty paperbag wasit linen chambray pants – Fly London ‘Yala’ perforated sandal – Naturalizer ‘Vera’ ankle strap sandal – Rollie derby lace-up flat shoe – JSlides ‘Hippie’ laser platform sneaker
Utility pants
If you prefer a more casual look, you don’t have to opt for jeans. A pair of utility pants could also give you the look you want.
You have lots of shoe choices which will go with utility pants. You can choose a casual shoe such as a sneaker or chunky boot. Or you could opt for a dressier shoe to contrast with your pant style.
Abi (above) styles her utility pants with sneakers and mixes formal and casual with a Chanel-style bouclé jacket.
Check out this similar pair of utility pants, sneakers, shirt, jacket, bag, necklace and earrings.
Wit & Wisdom utility pants – Marc Fisher LTD ‘Yulunda’ pump – Naturalizer ‘Everly’ pump – Naturalizer ‘Vera’ ankle strap sandal – Rollie derby lace-up flat shoe – JSlides ‘Hippie’ laser platform sneaker
Leggings
It’s hard to find a more comfortable pant style than a pair of leggings.
There are plenty of ideas here on how to wear your leggings.
But what shoe style should you opt for?
Statying within a sporty style with sneakers and brogues often works well.
Booties are also a great option with leggings as are ballerinas.
Nic (above) opts for a classic casual look styled with white sneakers.
Steal her look with this similar pair of leggings, sneakers, shirt, jacket, crossbody bag, hat and sunglasses.
Zella high waist leggings – Sam Edelman ‘Felicia’ flat – Clarks ‘Un Capri’ step platform wedge sandal – JSlides ‘Hippie’ laser platform sneaker – Naturalizer ‘Sterling’ knee high boot
Best shoes to wear with jeans
How about the types of shoes you should wear with jeans? Do you need to think about this any differently to wearing shoes with pants?
The short answer is ‘no’. You’ll see above that I’ve featured both jeans and pants. The key is to consider the shape of your jeans in the same way as any other pair of pants. So, think about whether they are skinny, straight, bootcut, boyfriend, wide or cropped and then apply the shoe guidelines to the shape.
You can wear anything from formal shoes with jeans to more casual shoes for women with jeans. The looks you can create are endless.
You’ll find more jeans inspiration in this article on the most flattering jeans for women over 40.
What pant-shoe combination are your struggling to master? What is your favorite pair of shoes to wear with different styles of pants?
Continue reading:
- The Most Comfortable Heels That Look Hip AND Are Comfortable To Wear
- Best Shoes With Arch Support – Comfortable Walking Shoes To Walk In All Day!
- How To Wear Jeans Over 40 – Guidelines And Lots Of Ideas
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Feature Image by Sallyanne
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