Remember the days when putting on a pair of jeans meant jumping up and down and lying on your bed to convince the button to finally fasten? These days, wearing wide-leg jeans has made this ritual obsolete, and stepping into a pair is more akin to slipping on sweatpants. You can call it an ode to the ’90s or a predictable effect of work-from-home culture, but whatever the trend’s origins, the reality is that our denim is now sweeping the ground, draping in the front, and we couldn’t be happier.
But with comfortable pants follows a conversation about what to style them with. Depending on the pair of shoes that you choose to complement your baggy jeans, you can transform the look in an instant. A bold sneaker can perfectly mesh with the skateboarder aesthetic, but a pointed toe mule can offset the style, giving a work-ready edge to what could otherwise be considered off-duty outfits. Here, we found the four best shoes to style with wide leg jeans, from easy everyday staples to elevated classics.
On Point
With our denim now sweeping the ground and, in some cases, covering our feet almost completely, opting for a shoe that pokes out from beneath hemlines adds an almost mysterious element. No matter how grungy your jeans are, a pointed-toe that peeks out adds an instantly chic air to oversized denim, whether you opt for a heeled version or a comfortable flat.
Comfy Classics
Regardless of how you feel about wide leg jeans, no one can deny that they are, at their core, extremely comfortable. So why sacrifice that comfort with pinching shoes when a stylish sneaker does the trick? With so many trainers on the market–from casual Adidas to wishlist-ready Dries Van Notens–you can customize your look even further depending on your preference. Go gorp-core with a chunky black pair, or keep it work-appropriate with a classic silhouette. This is the perfect time to add a pop of color, too.
Divine Feminine Flats
There’s hardly an outfit out there that can’t be improved by a comfy ballet flat, and wide leg jeans are no exception. Because baggy denim can sometimes overwhelm a frame, adding a feminine shoe is one of our favorite ways to ground the look. You can choose a classic style, or introduce an edgy element with leather Mary-Janes or a mesh flat that feels both elegant and cool.
Luxe Loafers
Runways are featuring a return to preppy dressing with boat shoes and collared rugby sweaters. Ditch the pleated skirt and introduce a pair of baggy jeans to your loafers, which not only keeps you comfortable, but is yet another way to make your denim office-appropriate. If you end up looking like you’ve been kicked out of boarding school, you’re doing it right.
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