Step Up Your Style: The Best Shoes to Rock With Wide-Leg Pants

Get back to basics with the timeless pairing of classic heels and wide-leg pants. This combination has worked in every decade—and for good reason. A 2- to 4-inch heel creates a sleek, elongated silhouette that flatters just about any style.

We especially love pointed-toe pumps or strappy stilettos, as both pair beautifully with high-waisted and cropped wide-leg pants. For full-length styles, a taller heel also helps keep hems from dragging on the floor, maintaining a polished, put-together look.

Consider this your go-to power pairing for the office, and an easy transition piece for happy hour or date night.

Since we hate a punishing heel for work, LifeStride, Cole Haan, and Rothy's are some of our favorite brands for comfortable heels to wear with wide leg pants. Bloomingdale’s carries a wide selection of our top picks at a great price when you use a Bloomingdale's coupon code while you shop. If you like to invest in work attire, our list of favorite luxury shoe brands for the office has several looks that pair perfectly with wide leg pants. Ready to take the leap on a straight-off-the-runway pair? Use a Moda Operandi promo code to score a deal on exclusive designer heels. (Image credit: @cvseev)

Nothing says “summer in the city” quite like strappy sandals peeking out from beneath a pair of wide-leg pants breezing over a crosswalk. Just picture it—and if you need a little inspiration, our list of trending spring sandals has you covered.

Strappy sandals are perfect for warm-weather days, offering a relaxed, easygoing vibe that complements the flowy silhouette of wide-leg pants. Both flat and heeled styles work, depending on the look you’re going for. And when in doubt, stick to versatile shades like camel or black—you'll find plenty of great options at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Macy’s to pair with just about any wide-leg pant.

We personally love a flat strappy sandal and a wide leg pant with a cute pattern for a vacation look. If you're balancing summery and strappy with work-appropriate, our picks for the best walking heels deliver. The trick for making strappy shoes look good with wide leg pants is to choose pants in a light fabric. Linen has the lightweight look and breeziness you want for casual outings, beach trips, or sunny vacations. 

Shop with a Macy's promo code to get a deal on strappy shoes to pair with your fave wide leg jeans and pants. (Image credit: @charmedbycamille) 

Want to give your wide-leg pants a little extra personality? Try pairing them with cowboy-style boots. While it’s not the most expected combo, the structured shape of Western boots contrasts beautifully with the flowy silhouette of wide-leg pants—especially cropped styles.

We especially love this pairing for gaucho or cropped wide-leg pants, where the boots can really take center stage. It’s a go-to look for music festivals, casual weekends, or anytime you want to prove this isn’t your first fashion rodeo. For full-length wide-leg pants, try tucking them into your boots for a bold effect, or wear them over your boots so only the toe peeks out. Any of the shades featured in our roundup of stylish cowboy boots will hit the mark. 

This season, Free People is delivering major festival vibes with its latest collection of cowgirl boots and booties. Lasso a pair of your own—and don’t forget to use an exclusive Free People discount code while you’re at it.

We love how a great pair of sneakers balances out the volume of wide-leg pants. It’s the ultimate combo for nailing that effortless, athleisure-inspired vibe.

When styling this look, start with a fresh pair from our list of trending active sneakers. We’re partial to crisp white styles—they help ground the wide-leg silhouette and prevent the outfit from feeling too busy, especially if you’re working with bold prints or textures. Want to elevate the look even more? Swap in a designer pair or opt for a sleek, fashion-forward sneaker from StockX. Pair either style with a StockX coupon code for a discount on your new kicks. A slightly platformed sole can also add height and help prevent longer hems from dragging. (Image credit: @cvseev)

Our love for '90s slacks and loafers is as strong as ever! A great pair of loafers adds a sophisticated, polished touch to wide-leg pants—making it the perfect office look right now.

The beauty of loafers is their versatility. Whether you’re wearing cropped or full-length wide-leg pants, loafers complement both styles effortlessly. Check out our trending loafers list to see how modern designs bring a fresh twist to this classic silhouette.

To perfect this look, keep your color palette neutral. Think cream slacks with sleek black loafers or olive palazzo pants with rich brown suede. And remember, tailoring is key for a sharp, professional vibe. While wide-leg pants naturally flow, dragging hems can throw off the polished aesthetic of well-structured loafers.

The volume of your loafers also sets the tone. Opt for a narrow, slim style for a crisp, professional finish. For a more laid-back or edgy look, try a lugged sole or stacked heel for that touch of '90s grunge. Reformation is a great go-to for high-quality, stylish loafers with just the right balance of structure and personality for the office. Plus, you can save on your next pair with a Reformation coupon. (Image credit: @deborabrosa)

When was the last time you treated yourself to a great pair of ankle boots? Step away from knee-high and riding boots for the season and embrace the chic style of ankle boots with wide-leg pants. Whether flat or heeled, ankle booties add a fresh, polished vibe to your look.

Cropped wide-leg or gaucho-style pants are perfect for showcasing ankle boots. For winter, try layering tights underneath cropped pants to create a seamless flow of warmth between your boots and pants. For a sleek, streamlined look, tuck longer wide-leg pants directly into ankle boots.

A stunning pair of leather pointed ankle boots from Mango can elevate your office look. We’re loving the high-end appeal of Mango’s designs, and right now, you can score a great deal with an exclusive Mango promo code. (Image credit: @lisamottl) 

Pointed flats really stand out in our recent roundup of adorable trending ballet flats. Their sharp profile makes them a feminine alternative to heels. The pointed flat works with both casual and semi-formal wide leg pants because it's so structured. It either elevates a casual pant or meets a more formal pair at the mark. While these shoes look highly structured, they are actually as comfortable to wear as a classic ballet flat. Your arches will applaud your heel-free pivot.

We're partial to pointed flats paired with high-waisted, tailored wide leg pants. The look is very cinched and balanced. For a more dramatic look, we like black patent leather pointed flats. For a more playful look, choose metallic. Anthropologie is one of our favorite brands for pointed flats. We especially love the brand's pointed-toe Mary Jane flats with a dramatic strap and side-bow sling-back flats because they're both so fun and deconstructed. Use an Anthropologie coupon code to save on any style. 

Look like you’re ready to step into your dream resort destination—whether it's Newport, San Luis Obispo, Saint-Tropez, or the Bahamas—with a carefree espadrilles-and-wide-leg-pants combo. If our list of the 10 best espadrilles for summer has you itching to style these jute-lined beauties, we’ve got the perfect pairing. Opt for flowy, wide-leg denim with oatmeal-colored espadrilles for a laid-back, warm-weather look. We also love the contrast of black espadrilles with pinstripe wide-leg pants for a more polished touch.

Both flat and wedge espadrilles work, depending on your preferred hem length. One rule to keep in mind: espadrille ankle ties should be fully visible under the hem of your pants, making cropped pants the ideal match for this look.

Brands like J.Crew and Free People consistently release new boho-meets-preppy espadrilles each summer, perfectly reflecting the season's hottest colors and fabrics. Score a pair of your own with a J.Crew promo code. (Image credit: @myrolledupjeans) 

The floating-on-air look of ballet flats over wide leg pants pulls us in every time. Ranked among our favorite shoes for wide leg pants for women, ballet flats merge a minimalist aesthetic with undeniable chic undertones. We also love that ballet flats are perfect for everyday wear. That means that just about any style you fall in love with on our list of the best flats also works with your favorite skinny jeans or sundress.

For length, it's all about wide leg pants that hit right at the ankle. Ballet flats also work with cropped and gaucho styles if they're correctly tailored. Remember that you want the place where they hit to look purposeful to offset the casual tone of ballet flats.

VIVAIA and Everlane are great go-to brands for ballet flats for the office. Use a VIVAIA discount code to scoop up a super-comfortable, preppy-style slipper for less.