10 Shoes to Wear with Wide-Leg Pants to Upgrade Your Outfit

By

Elizabeth Tamkin

Updated on 04/17/24 02:23PM

Close-up of woman wearing gray wide leg pants, white platform shoes, and a beige Stella McCartney bag with chain border — Getty Images

In This Article

The Comfortable Sandal The Platform Clog The Platform Sandal The Block Heel The Chunky Sneaker

The Smart Slingback The Strappy Stiletto The Slide-On Mule The Office-Friendly Loafer The Chelsea Boot

My favorite style of pants these days is the ultra wide-leg silhouette that's been taking over the trends in recent seasons. Wide-leg pants are comfortable and easy to wear, yet they're also put-together enough to wear to the office, date night, or any number of occasions. Of course, to customize this modern staple to your personal style or dress it up or down, you'll want to have a few different shoe styles at the ready. Ahead, we break down 10 types of shoes to wear with wide-leg pants, complete with product picks and stylist insights.

Meet the Expert

Audree Kate López is a professional fashion stylist and editor based in New York City.

01 of 10

The Comfortable Sandal

Birkenstock sandals and off-white linen wide leg pants and blazer on model — @birkenstock / Instagram

Wide-leg pants can upgrade any look, but it can be difficult finding the right shoe to pair with them. Jump on the "ugly shoes" trend by opting for your favorite Birkenstocks, Tevas, or another style of casual sandals, which keep the pants' exaggerated volume center stage while providing a nonchalant contrast to dressier styles of trousers. Flat, strappy sandals (think lace-up or flip-flop styles) work as long as the pants don’t excessively drag.

"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," recommends professional stylist Audree Kate López.

Birkenstock Arizona Chunky Suede Leather sandals

Birkenstock Arizona Chunky Suede Leather $135.00

Brother Vellies Tyla Sandal in Eartha brown

Brother Vellies Tyla Sandal $335.00

Teva Midform Universal Sandals in boho caribou brown

Teva Midform Universal Sandals $65.00

02 of 10

The Platform Clog

Close-up of woman wearing slouchy gray jacket and wide-leg pants and white platform clogs while carrying a beige Stella McCartney bag — Getty Images

If you find styling wide-leg pants intimidating, try approaching it the same way as denim. Walking sandals keep a look casual, but a statement closed-toed shoe with a bit of weight to it creates a '70s vibe. A chunky or platform style keeps the look youthful yet intentional.

Loewe Terra Foam Clogs in black

Loewe Terra Foam Clogs $450.00

Fortress Ava Clogs in whiskey brown with wooden platform sole

Fortress Ava $260.00

Marge Sherwood '70s Clogs in black with silver buckle and platform sole

Marge Sherwood '70s Clogs $480.00 $235.00

03 of 10

The Platform Sandal

Eva Mendes wears a mint green knit set and white platform sandals — @larroude / Instagram

Balance out the drama of wide-leg trousers with a structured, weighty shoe. Platforms with criss-cross straps, fascinating textures, and statement details like a grown-up bow will surely add interest to your look.

Larroude Dolly Sandal in black with platform base and straps

Larroude Dolly Sandal $315.00

Loeffler Randall Natalia Platform Pleated Bow Heels in platinum lame

Loeffler Randall Natalia Pleated Platform Bow Heels $450.00

Aminah Abdul Jillil Ballerina Wedge in red

Aminah Abdul Jillil Ballerina Wedge $598.00

04 of 10

The Block Heel

Tayshia Adams wears a white wrap blouse, wide leg white denim, and white block heel boots — @tayshia / Instagram

Heels will keep your trousers from dragging across the ground, and block heels are a sturdy yet trend-forward choice. Pair them with wide-leg jeans and an airy blouse for a simple yet chic look that's bound to turn heads.

Tory Burch Cap-Toe Pumps in black with bow detail

Tory Burch Cap-Toe Pump $298.00

Sarah Flint Perfect Round Toe Pump in gunmetal gray lame

Sarah Flint Perfect Round Toe Pump 70 $550.00

Kendall Miles CEO Pump in red patent with gold detailing

Kendall Miles CEO Pump $450.00 $135.00

05 of 10

The Chunky Sneaker

Close-up of person wearing white Veja chunky sneakers, ribbed socks, and black wide leg pants — @veja / Instagram

Trousers and wide leg pants tend to look formal, and they can easily venture into the office siren-meets-indie sleaze style of 2010s club attire. 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, adding 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," López suggests. "If you need to cuff the pant, cuff internally and use double stick tape or a safety pin."

Veja Venturi Sneaker in white with ivory accents and chunky sole

Veja Venturi Sneaker $215.00

Loci Apex sneakers in black leather with white chunky soles

Loci Apex $180.00

Sorel Kinetic Breakthru Tech Lace shoes in beige with white chunky sole

Sorel Kinetic Breakthru Tech Lace Shoes $135.00

06 of 10

The Smart Slingback

Sasha Mei wears a ruffled off-the-shoulder top, black wide leg pants, and black slingback heels — @sasha.mei / Instagram

A standard pair of slingback heels is a staple in any wardrobe. Comfier than stilettos but decidedly fancier than sneakers, these shoes are worth wearing with wide leg pants, jeans, mini skirts, and more. If you mostly reserve your wide leg pants for date night or your nine-to-five, a sleek slingback is a must-have addition.

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

Stuart Weitzman Dancer 75 Slingback Pump in white leather

Stuart Weitzman Dancer 75 Slingback Pump $475.00 $190.00

SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Emmanuel Bow-Embellished Slingback Pumps in white with rhinestone bow

SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Emmanuel Bow-Embellished Slingback Pumps $478.00

French Sole Baton Heels in cream with black toe cap

French Sole Baton Heels $198.00

07 of 10

The Strappy Stiletto

Woman wears green Adidas shirt, brown wide leg pants, green stilettos, yellow handbag, and rectangle sunglasses — Getty Images

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 almost any outfit. This sexy staple is sure to take your trousers from office-appropriate to cocktail hour-worthy. Simply add a crop top or sparkly tank to complete the look.

Steve Madden Tecy Tan Leather Heels with open toe and ankle strap

Steve Madden Tecy Tan Leather Heels $90.00

JW Pei Alivia Gold Metal Heel Sandals in black with gold heel

JW Pei Alivia Gold Metal Heel Sandals $89.00

Tony Bianco Laguna Washed Denim Heels

Tony Bianco Laguna Washed Denim Heels $180.00

08 of 10

The Slide-On Mule

Close-up of woman wearing yellow-green heels and wide leg light wash jeans — @rayethelabel / Instagram

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

Splendid Kait Mules in navy blue

Splendid Kait Mules $144.00

Reformation Watson Heeled Mule in black suede

Reformation Watson Heeled Mule $328.00

Lisa Vicky Major Bit Loafer Mule in ivory with gold buckle detail

Lisa Vicky Major Bit Loafer Mule $100.00 $40.00

09 of 10

The Office-Friendly Loafer

Close-up of woman wearing white wide leg pants, black jacket and intrecciato handbag, and tan loafers with gold buckle — Getty Images

Classics are classics for a reason. Loafers have had a major comeback in recent years, and we're very much 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 even office-appropriate.

Tony Bianco Axell Loafers in black

Tony Bianco Axell Loafers $160.00

Chelsea Paris Max Loafer in black

Chelsea Paris Max $295.00

Taft The Flora Loafer in black with neutral floral design

Taft The Flora Loafer $255.00

10 of 10

The Chelsea Boot

Close-up of blonde woman wearing brown jacket, wide leg jeans, and white Blundstone heeled Chelsea boots while sitting in car — @blundstoneusa / Instagram

Stilettos are chic and strappy sandals are fun, but open toes aren't always an option during colder seasons. 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 they also add a little edge to your look.

Blundstone High Heeled Boots in pearl and black

Blundstone High Heeled Boots $240.00

Thursday Boot Company Cavalier Chelsea Boots in sandstone

Thursday Boot Company Cavalier Chelsea Boot $190.00

Frye Melissa Double Sole Chelsea boot in black

Frye Melissa Double Sole Chelsea $298.00 $239.00

FAQ

What looks best with wide leg pants?

You have lots of styling options for wide leg pants, so pick whichever makes you feel your best. Play with contrast by opting for a more fitted top, or lean into the oversized silhouettes all around for a statement. As for shoes, heels or platforms are often smart to ensure the pants don't drag on the ground, but you can also opt for a more understated style if it works with your wide leg pants.
How do you wear flat shoes with wide leg pants?

Wide leg pants can be harder to wear with flat shoes, since their oversized silhouette can be too long or look more overwhelming. While you can always give it a try, your best bet is to opt for a platform shoe with a flatter profile, such as chunky sneakers or platform loafers.
How do you wear wide leg pants over 40?

You can wear wide leg pants at any age. Just pair them with other pieces that make you feel confident, plus some stylish yet comfortable shoes.

Related Stories