Have you been wondering what shoes to wear with cropped pants? In this article, I got you covered.
Styling a pair of cropped pants can be tricky especially if you´re petite because they visually cut your legs, which can make you appear short-legged or shorter than you actually are.
Let´s have a short quiz:
Which shoes are the best choice to wear with cropped pants?
A. Gladiator sandals
B. A range of stilettos to stacked wedge heels
C. Chunky, square heels
D. A range of sassy flats to sweet medium heels.
So what´s your answer? The correct answer is D.
The photo of Audrey Hepburn above, in dark cropped pants, white sweater and white ballet flats, already gave away the correct answer.
However, this post is not to prove why flats are the best shoes for cropped pants. Instead, I`m here to show you that if you know what to do, there´s actually a wide range of shoes that you can wear with cropped pants.
1. Cropped Pants with Sassy Flats
Whatever your choice of cropped pants, from stretchy fitted, skinnies to square pants and joggers, the sassy flat shoes that are safe to were with them include ballet flats, smoking slippers and no-bulky slip-ons. Flat shoes with pointed toes will do you favor if you´re petite as they give the illusion of longer legs.
Avoid flat ankle boots or trainers because they will overwhelm the result.
See: How I wore cropped red skinny pants with white jacket and pumps for fall.
2. Cropped Boyfriend Jeans with Moccasin
For a casual weekend look, it´s refreshing to wear some cropped dark jeans with nude ballet flats. On some days, try swapping the ballets with brown moccasins. A large tote bag is perfect to complete the outfit.
3. Cropped Pants with Medium Heels
To look polished and elegant in cropped pants, wear them with low vamp pointed toe, medium height heels. The low vamp and pointed toe features of your shoes will extend the line from your ankle to your toe. The ideal mid heels are around two to three inches.
Although tall, slim models could get away with cropped pants and pointed toe ankle boots; unless you have their height and figure you may want to steer clear of ankle boots.
Avoid extra high heels, skyscraper platforms or gladiator shoes because they will distract the outfit. They grab the eye and the attention will linger on them.
4. Cropped Black Skinny Jeans with Mid Heels
I love this skinny tux jean from Lucky Brand; I find it cool and modern. Notice that it looks great with wine red pumps. It´s a great way to add color to your outfit, especially if you will mismatch it with a colored bag.
But remember that although colored, the shoes are still on the dark shade family. Avoid bright attention grabbing colored or patterned pumps, they too will cut your vertical line.
When in doubt, you will never go wrong with mid heel pumps that match the color of your cropped pants. In fact, they´re the most recommended.
5. Cropped Slim-leg Pants and Leather Flats
This look is certainly perfect if you´re looking for a cozy and casual outfit. Go for a slim leg pair of cropped pants with a bit of flare, and then pair it with some flat, leather sandals.
6. Cropped Pants with Espadrilles
It´s a perfect weekend look! Choose a pair of relaxed-fit linen trousers to match a pair of sexy espadrilles. Although casual, you can keep your look elegant by choosing colors for your trousers and shoes from the same family.
7. Cropped Straight-Leg Pants with Sling-Back Sandals
If you have a fitting ribbed sweater, pair it with some straight-leg cropped pants and some sling-back heels. I really love the heels worn by this model in particular, because it´s DÒrsay style sandals. Although cropped pants are known to make your legs appear shorter, your DÒrsay style sandals will offset it.
8. Cropped Pants with Fitted Mid-Shin Boots
Of course you can always wear your cropped pants with mid-shin fitted boots. I call it mid-shin, but most call it ankle boots. But this boots are higher than your ankles, and I suggest you for those that hit around your mid-shin. They work best if your pants are a bit roomy such as this houndstooth-print cropped trousers.
9. Cropped Flare Leather Pants with Sexy High-Heeled Ankle Boots
The cropped flared pants are difficult to pull-off for petite women because they will make your legs appear really short. However, this style of cropped pants will look really nice with sexy ankle boots.