Slim Pants Meet Their Match
Lisa and Susan asked in comments on Monday’s post what (comfortable) shoes work with slim ankle pants. Here’s my take, above.
Ballet flats are the obvious choice. For those of you who can’t wear a flat flat, check out the J.Crew versions that have a hidden wedge inside. You also couldn’t go wrong with a leopard print skimmer.
I’ve worn my black Paris booties with my Eileen Fisher slim pants, and love this look, even with the style that hits right above the ankle. YMMV. (The black boots shown here are a similar style to mine.)
I’ve seen a lot of slim pants styled with a heeled desert boot, and really love that look as well. Above I’ve chosen a couple different pair with a lower heel and high customer comfort ratings. A heeled loafer is a slightly dressier option.
Depending on your style and lifestyle, I could also picture these pants with a sleek sneaker, along the lines of Keds or Puma. If you’re feeling really daring, wear a contrasting color.
And of course, you can always tuck slim pants into a taller boot.
Those who are more curvy might want to stay away from very delicate, dainty shoes. I find some visual “heft” with the shoes helps balance out my top half.
My last suggestion is to stick to shoes/boots with a narrower, tapered or even pointed toe. To my eye, this best complements the slim line of the pants. Skip shoes with rounder, wider toes, or risk looking like….
~
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 United States License.
Stay in touch
Sign up to be notified of new posts and updates from une femme d’un certain âge.
Do you think these slim pants are appropriate for winter? Tucked into boots I can imagine, but aside from boots, how does one manage the naked ankle?
Ankle boots sometimes leave a gap of skin showing.
I haven’t seen the desert-bootie-heel before, and I like the look. Leopard print flats are my favorites for these slim pants.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Thanks Pseu. I am so happy to see you advise against the rounded toes. I have been cringing at the round flats and skinnies trend. This WHOLE TIME:). I think I like the bootie look best – we shall see.
Susan, I think regular Chucks are too clunky for skinny pants. I found a great slimline version of a Converse. Look online. Keep the sole slim and the line a bit more streamlined and you’ll be good.
I have seen a lot of pointed toe shoes for Fall.
Last winter I wore my skinny jeans tucked into boots and I am now seeking out a new loafer…any thoughts on which brand I should look at?
The slim pants work so well in our rainy climate because they’re much less likely to soak up puddles, especially when tucked into a knee or even mid-calf boot. And I like wearing mine with flats as well. But I’m almost looking forward to cooler fall weather so I can wear them with my new boots (posted today)! Thanks for all the fun options you show today.
Great advice and I LOVE the photo of “What not to look like.”
good advice…curvier figure, heftier shoes.
Is sock-less best in the options you’ve shown. Boots are easy, but I’m having a hard time figuring out how to wear them once the cooler weather comes. They seem to look good with flats, loafers, broges, etc. with no hose/socks but the idea of wearing them with socks somehow changes the look to a more unattractive one. Any comments on this?
BTW, I’m tall and curvy but don’t wear heels. My inclination is to wear them with flats or loafers or lace-up brogues and later with boots.
Good selection – I’m thinking I need a pair of heeled loafers for autumn!
Yes, pointy toes!
I was wondering about sneakers. Chuck Taylors aren’t sleek enough I suppose?
Checked out the Eileen Fisher range in Fenwick today it is really nice. Tried on the pants, but they are cut very generously even the small was too big on the waist. (I am normally a UK12/US8) . They are ordering some XS and will call when they are in. Like the shoes and I agree with the pointy toes I much prefer them.
Were I short and slim, I´d wear flats with skinny, ankle length pants.
But I´m not. So I prefer shoes with some heels. Pumps or booties. But I can´t stand the pointy toe model – never.
I´m not sure about the ankle length either.
Your selection of shoes is a good one though.
Your Paris booties are gorgeous and so, so chic! I am lusting after them.
I bought the Indigo booties you featured in this post last fall…mine are black and although I really like them, I don’t wear them much because I don’t know how outside of with regular jeans. Maybe I’ll try to find a pair of ankle pants that fit me and give this look a try.
I love my high heeled desert boots with skinnies … For summer, it will be back to ballet flats and loafers minus socks.
Miss J likes the shootie with the slim pant…NICE last line/image!
I came by because I hear your are a scarf expert and I need help, I’ll search the archives.
Skinny pants don’t work for me at all – to much Hip, and I’m not talking attitude here, LOL!
Darla
I love ankle pants because my shoes are in full view and you have such an interesting display of choices. I even like to wear round toes with my ankle pants!
Another Talbots pant that is a bargain and worked surprisingly well on my short curvy frame were the Ponte leggings at $89. Available in black and brown but the latter is wait listed until October.
Lately I’m all about the flared pant…the bad thing is that it hides your shoes.
I haven’t done the bootie with the skinny pants yet but I am looking forward to that combination come fall. Sometimes I am slow to adopt a new look. I love them with pointy flats and dislike the rounded toe skinny pant look and I’ve worn them with heel with some visual weigh such as my heavy machine sandals.