The 10 Best Shoes to Wear With Your Wide-Leg Pants

It's all about the shoes.

By

Elizabeth Tamkin

Updated on 11/15/22

Model wearing Pink Wide Leg Pants — Getty Images

My favorite pant style of the season is the extra, super wide leg. It’s the easiest assimilation back into regular pants after wearing sweatpants for the last year. Wide-leg pants are comfortable and easy to wear. That is if you wear the right shoes, but what shoe options are there for wide-leg pants? Answer: more than you think.

Ahead, I’ve broken down 10 types of shoe styles that pair perfectly with these wide-legged wonders. Keep scrolling to discover what shoes to wear with wide-leg pants.

Meet the Expert

Audree Lopez is a professional stylist and founder of Fashion Fundamentals based in New York City.

01 of 10

The Comfortable Sandal

A wide-leg trouser can take any look from drab to fab, but it can be difficult finding the right shoe to pair with them. A casual sandal allows the exaggerated volume of the pants to maintain their stardom while keeping the vibe chill. Trousers can be quite dressy, so a casual sandal provides the perfect contrast. Pair with walking shoes like Birkenstocks or Teva-style sandals. Also, flat, strappy sandals (think lace-up or flip-flop) work as long as the pants don’t excessively drag.

Professional stylist Audree Lopez suggests paying attention to the length of your pants. "If you are wearing flats or sneakers, the hem should hit at the top of your foot and around 1/4" to 1/2" off the ground from your heel," she recommends.

lavender shearling birkenstocks with silver buckles

Birkenstock Arizona Shearling Suede Leather $160.00

Taupe leather criss cross sandals

Everlane The Day Crossover Sandal $75.00

tan teva strappy sandals with a one inch platform

Teva Midform Universal Sandals $60.00

02 of 10

The Platform Clog

If you find styling wide-leg trousers intimidating, try approaching it the same way as denim. A walking sandal or strappy one keeps a look casual, but a statement shoe with a bit of weight to it creates a 70's vibe. A chunky or platform shoe keeps the look youthful yet intentional.

free people black clog with studding across the bottom

Free People Calabasas Clog $148.00 $96.00

Lisa Vicky seude Brown clog with studs across the bottom

Lisa Vicky Vim Platform Clog $100.00

JW Anderson black shearling lined clogs with gold buckle

JW Anderson Chain Shearling Leather Loafers $695.00

03 of 10

Platform Sandals

Pair wide-leg trousers with a structured, weighty shoe. Think: A platform-style sandal with a criss-cross strap or a wide upper, or a flat sandal with some caging.

Larroude Seude Black platform strappy sandal

Larroude Dolly Sandal $315.00

Loeffler Randall Metallic Gold platform sandal with a bow

Loeffler Randall Natalia Pleated Platform Bow Heels $450.00

Sam Edelman green velvet platform heels with a triangle heel

Circus by Sam Edelman Audrea Platform Sandal $90.00

04 of 10

Block Heels

Heels will keep your trousers from dragging across the ground, and block heels will keep you sturdy. Pair them with wide-leg trousers and a flowy blouse for a simple and chic look that is bound to turn heads.

Kate Spade Black block heel pumps

Kate Spade New York Marren Pumps $198.00

Sparkly Sarah Flint block heel pumps

Sarah Flint Perfect Round Toe Pump 70 $550.00

Madewell brown leather pumps with block heel

Madewell HUMA BLANCO Leather Luisa Pumps $260.00

05 of 10

Chunky Sneakers

Trousers and wide-legged pants tend to look formal, and they can easily venture into the business-casual era of the 2010s. To bring this look into the modern era, try pairing wide-legged pants with some chunky sneakers. The extra weight from the sneakers balances out the airiness of the trouser, and adds an unexpected flair.

Again, the length of your pants is important. In order to get them just right, "try to avoid cuffing your pants because it can widen and shorten your legs," Lopez suggests. "If you need to cuff the pant, cuff internally and use double stick tape or a safety pin."

White chunky sneaker Veja

Veja Venturi Sneaker $195.00

chunky new balance sneaker with grey and blue details

New Balance Women's 237 Shoes $80.00

Chunky Sorel sneakers with tan and beige detailing

Sorel Women's Kinetic Breakthru Tech Lace $130.00 $68.00

06 of 10

Smart Sling-backs

A standard pair of sling-backs is a staple in any wardrobe. Comfier than stilettos but classier than sneakers, this style of shoe elevates any garment from a simple pair of jeans to a mini skirt. If your wide-legged trousers are reserved for date night or your nine-to-five, a sleek sling-back is a must-have addition.

Consider picking one with a pointed toe. "Rounded-toe shoes can hide the foot or cut it off and make you appear wider," explains Lopez. "A pointed-toe shoe elongates the legs and draws the eye down vertically."

Alfani white and black leather slingbacks

Alfani Women's Cienna Slingback Pumps $79.50 $56.00

SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Satin Black Slingbacks with pearl detailing

SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Women's Cy Pointed Toe Slingback Pumps $495.00

Tuckernuck French sole slingbacks with a black toe

French Sole Exclusive Baton Heels $198.00

07 of 10

Strappy Stilettos

We get it: Stilettos are not the comfiest shoes on the market, but much like a pair of silk trousers, a sophisticated set of high heels elevates most outfits. This sexy staple is sure to take your trousers from office-appropriate to cocktail-hour worthy. Pair with a crop top or sparkly tank to complete the look.

Sam Edelman Bronze Strappy Stilettos

Sam Edelman Ophelia Ankle Strap Heel $160.00

ALDO Black Stilettos with a Gold Heel

ALDO Dorah Black Women's Gladiator Sandal $98.00

Femme LA Denim Stiletto with a Gold Heel

Femme LA Whiskey Heel $189.00

08 of 10

Slide-On Mules

Delivering the sophistication of a heel with the comfort of a loafer, mules offer the best of both worlds. Plus, the thicker strap over the toes provides a little extra support.

Splendid seude Blue mules and a block heel

Splendid Kait Mules $144.00

Sarto by Franco Sarto Black velvet mules

Sarto by Franco Sarto Dune Pointed Toe Mules $130.00

Italeau mustard mules with gold buckle

Italeau Cecile Mules $269.00

09 of 10

Office-Friendly Loafers

Classics are classics for a reason. The loafer has had a major comeback, and we are here for it. Much like chunky sneakers, a sturdy loafer adds some weight to wide-leg trousers. These shoes keep your outfit looking cool, casual, and, better yet, office appropriate.

Tony Bianco black leather Loafers

Tony Bianco Axell Loafers $160.00

Birdies Burgundy Bedazzled Loafers

Birdies The Starling Loafer $145.00

Lisa Vicky Maroon Loafer with a gold buckle

Lisa Vicky Zany Loafer $100.00

10 of 10

Chelsea Boots

Stilettos are chic and strappy sandals are fun, but once the weather turns, open toes are not an option. Thankfully, wide-leg trousers are versatile and work with many different styles of shoes. Chelsea boots not only protect your toes from the cool air but also add a little edge to your look.

Banana Republic Tan Seude Chelsea Boot

Banana Republic Hudson Suede Chelsea Boot $260.00

Eileen Fisher Gray Wedge Chelsea Boots

Eileen Fisher Lilou Wedge Chelsea Boots $275.00

Dolce Vita White Chelsea Boots with Elastic details

Dolce Vita Women's Hoven H2O Booties $170.00

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