6 Shoes That Will Instantly Elevate Your Track Pants

When it comes to sporty staples, none have received industry praise quite like track pants. Practically overnight, the once gym-bound bottoms became a street style mainstay—and a go-to among fashion-forward celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Ayo Edebiri, and Sadie Sink. According to these trendsetters, there's a secret to pulling off track pants: Choosing the right shoes.

Sure, you could pair the comfy bottoms with your workout sneakers, but juxtaposing them with a dressy shoe is where things get interesting. Enter the Wrong-Shoe Theory. Coined by stylist Allison Bornstein, the styling hack encourages choosing footwear that intentionally clashes with your outfit—and it's exactly the approach to take with track pants. For instance, ballet flats with the pants strike a sweet spot between laid-back and ladylike, while kitten heels add subtle sophistication.

Best of all, there’s a good chance you already own a trusty pair of Adidas track pants. If not, fashion girl-favorite labels like Loeffler Randall, Donni, and Tory Burch have put their own spin on the sporty staple. Scroll on for six shoes that will instantly breathe new life into the silhouette.

Ballet Flats

There’s something undeniably chic about pairing track pants with ballet flats—a formula fashion It girls continue to co-sign. As noted, the mash-up walks the line between low-key and elevated. Punch up the look with a colorful sock if you feel it needs a little something-something.

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Moccasins

Moccasins were the 2025 shoe trend no one saw coming. While they pair effortlessly with jeans, the silhouette feels surprisingly fresh styled with track pants. When temperatures dip, ground the look with a classic khaki trench coat, as illustrated above.

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Slim Sneakers

Are you a ride-or-die sneakerhead? You can, of course, still pair your track pants with kicks. Instead of a chunky silhouette, opt for slim sneakers to keep the look sleek. White pairs are timeless, though a suede finish feels especially luxe.

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Kitten Heels

Kitten heels and track pants might sound, well, strange. However, as Bornstein’s Wrong-Shoe Theory suggests, the most unexpected combinations are often the most compelling. Together, the duo reads decidedly street style–approved.

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Loafers

Nothing can instantly elevate track pants like a pair of leather loafers. Polished yet practical, the flats push the sporty staple into high-style territory. Add a crisp white button-down into the mix, and the look might fly at the office—or, at the very least, a coffee meeting.

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Wedge Sandals

Love them or loathe them, wedge sandals have made an impressive comeback in recent years. Much like kitten heels, teaming the silhouette with track pants may seem unconventional—but the look here proves it works.

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