Spring Style Guide: The Perfect Pairings of Shoes and Pants for Effortless Chic

Happy March!

Spring is definitely on its way and I’m SO much looking forward to longer days and a lot more sunshine! I know some of you are getting ready for your spring break trip and soaking up some warmer temperatures as well. How exciting!! 

A topic that comes up a lot in my styling sessions is what shoe to wear with an outfit. The ‘wrong’ shoe can definitely ruin an outfit and that’s why I wanted to talk a bit about the importance of the right shoe today. 

If you wear chunky shoes you’ll need to pair them with a more oversized top or bottom to balance them out and create harmony. Shoes with a thinner sole and details go best with a more fitted look and automatically create a more classic appearance. Matching the color and style to compliment your outfit is key for a cohesive look. Here are some examples of pant styles and shoe combinations. 

Wide leg pants:

Platform heels or wedges are still on trend. Add height and elongate your silhouette while balancing out the volume of the wide-leg pants.

Pointed-toe flats or loafers are more lengthening than round, almond or square toed ones and provide a polished and chic look while maintaining comfort. 

Strappy sandals create a more summery vibe and can nicely compliment wide-leg pants.

For a trendy and relaxed look opt for chunky sneakers or loafers. They can create a cool contrast with the flowy silhouette of wide-leg pants.

Straight leg pants:

Pointed or almond toe pumps for a polished and sophisticated look, which is perfect for the office or formal occasions. 

Booties whether heeled or flat can add a stylish touch to straight-leg pants, especially during the colder months.

To achieve a preppy or smart-casual vibe opt for Oxfords or loafers. You can add a fun sock for some personality, but make sure the hem of the pants sits right above your ankle, at the smallest part of your leg.

Sneakers - whether plain white or as a fashion statement - create a more relaxed and casual vibe.

Ballet flats are still very trendy and are perfect for a feminine and understated look. 

Cropped pants:

This is a great length to showcase your shoes (and/or socks)! Go all out with prints, colors, embellishments etc., if this caters to your style personality.

Pointed toe flats or ballet flats are a wonderful option. Ballet flats have such a moment right now and are not only comfortable, but also super stylish. You can choose one in a pop of color, a print or metallics or if that isn’t your vibe, natural tones work as well. 

Sling backs draw the eye more towards the ankles, they are super chic and on trend. 

Strappy sandals are great for warmer temperatures and if you are okay to wear bare toes (maybe not suitable for an office type space).

Sneakers work with almost anything, including cropped pants. They definitely dress down a look, if you are not going for a sparkly or metallic pair. If you aim for a dressy look, opt for metallics, crisp white or sparkle.

Booties work great as well, BUT you have to pay attention to the height of the shaft. This combination only works  if the top of the bootie hides under the hem of the pants! Otherwise you will create too many horizontal lines and it visually shortens the legs. Pick booties in the color of your pants to achieve the most elongating effect. And yes - a pointed toe on top of everything I just said - creates the most elongating look. 

Bootcut pants:

There are cropped and regular bootcut version.

Obviously booties are great (that’s what the cut was originally made for). Pick a heel height that is comfortable for you. The best length for (regular) bootcut pants is 0.5 inch of the ground with the shoe you wear.

With the cropped version make sure that your bootie is tall enough and gets covered by the hem of your pants.

Sneakers: I personally like sneakers better with the cropped bootcut, but that’s a personal preference. You can definitely wear sneakers with the regular length bootcut pants. 

Pumps (pointed or almond toe are more flattering and elongating than their square or round toe sisters). Make sure the regular length bootcut is hemmed to fall 0.5 inch of the ground with the heel height of your choice.

Ballet flats, Oxfords or loafers: If your bootcut is regular length and a denim fabric, go a little more chunkier than dainty. Otherwise the shoe will get lost. 

Wedges or strappy sandals: With the regular length bootcut I would suggest opting for a heel (even if it’s only 2-3 inches), but with this particular cut and length it just looks more put together. 

Skinny pants:

Skinnies are not super trendy right now, they got pushed aside (for now) by the wider leg styles, but I know some women just love their skinny jeans and to me there is nothing wrong with them, if you feel comfortable wearing a garment. 

I wouldn’t pair skinny pants with chunky shoe styles as the proportions would be off, but you can pair any type of shoe (as long as it’s not chunky) with skinnies (I personally love to wear this style with my boots right now).

Phew, that was a lot of pants talk… LOL! Another thing to keep in mind is materials. Suede will always have a more casual vibe, lambskin or other flat leathers are kind of in the middle and patent, croc/croc-embossed leathers, satin or velvet will always have a dressy feel. Also take a look at the heels! Are they chunky in a mat material (wood, corc etc.)? That again is a casual shoe. Are they shiny (metallics) and/or skinny? That’s a sign of a dressy shoe. 

Wishing you a beautiful March and I’ll see you again in April!

XO, Julia