Leather trousers have seamlessly made their mark as a timeless wardrobe staple, joining the ranks of wide-leg trousers in the realm of fashion essentials. And much like their floaty counterparts, leather trousers are here to stay, particularly as the autumn leaves start to fall. As someone who wears more than their fair share of dresses, this season, I’m eager to up my trouser game, and I’ve set my sights on leather strides. The first hurdle? Identifying what shoes to wear with leather trousers.
Wide-leg trousers once baffled me in the same way. Their innate elegance often left me scratching my head when it came to selecting the perfect footwear to complement their sweeping silhouette. Now, I’m applying the same logic to that of leather trousers by turning to Instagram—and the fashionable people who dwell there—to see which shoes people are wearing with their leather trousers. And, thankfully, there seems to be an endless pool of leather-trouser-outfit inspiration.
So, without further ado, allow me to guide you through the enigmatic world of shoe-and-leather-trouser pairings, where we’ll delve into a treasure trove of looks, unveiling a curated selection of footwear options. From chunky boots to elegant mules, here are the six sleekest shoes to wear with leather trousers.
1. HEELED BOOTS
Style Notes: Leather is a thicker textile than 99.9% of others used when creating trousers, which can sometimes look heavily on the leg. One way of countering this is to add height. I like wearing mine with heeled boots in a matching colour to elongate my petite frame.
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2. LOAFERS
Style Notes: Another easy way of balancing out leather trousers is to create some distance between the hem of your trousers and your shoe. My favourite combination? Leather trousers worn with loafers sans socks.
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3. TRAINERS
Style Notes: Leather trousers make for a great alternative to jeans, though some may argue they aren't quite as casual-looking. Give yours an everyday spin with the addition of some classic trainers.
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4. SUEDE
Style Notes: For a chic texture pairing, try offsetting the glossy leather finish of your trousers with softer, matte-like suede shoes.
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5. CHUNKY BOOTS
Style Notes: Leather trousers come in all shapes and sizes; if yours are tapered, just like Marianne Smyth's, know they look seriously cool worn with chunky flat boots.
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6. MULES
Style Notes: When it comes to heels, courts and pointed-toe slingbacks work with just about every trouser shape going. However, I especially like the minimalist finish of strappy mules with leather trousers.
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