Shoes to wear with black leather pants

Black leather pants are a great way to add a little edge to your outfit. However, if you want to avoid looking like a motorcycle gang member, you need to make sure that you don’t pair them with the wrong shoes. Here’s what we recommend!

Pumps

Pumps are the classic choice for any dressy outfit. Whether they’re in patent leather or suede, they’re both sleek and polished. When paired with black leather pants, they look even more elegant than usual—the combination of dark colors makes them look more high end and expensive than they really are!

Flats

Flats have been having a bit of a moment lately—they’re everywhere on Instagram! They’re perfect for pairing with black leather pants because they add some variety to your outfit without being too dressy or over the top. This is especially true if you wear them with tights or leggings underneath your pants—you’ll get a lot of mileage out of this look!

Shoes to wear with black leather pants

what shoes to wear with leather pants pointy toe

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1. POINTY-TOE HEELS OR FLATS

This shoe style works with just about any leather pant silhouette (except leggings, which work better with a more substantial shoe), from cargo styles to wide-legs to classic slim-fit leather. Our favorite way to rock the duo is with a straight-leg pant and a contrasting pointy-toe kitten heel, but feel free to play around with matching shades or various heel heights.

Shop similar styles: Cuyana trench coat ($295); Everlane T-shirt ($24); Wilfred Free pants ($148; $60); Linea Paolo shoes ($120)

what shoes to wear with leather pants contrasting boots

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2. CONTRASTING ANKLE BOOTS WITH BLACK LEATHER

Much like black leather boots, black leather pants are perhaps the easiest version of this style to wear. However, trying to pair the two together often looks either oddly incompatible and mismatched or just blah and uninspiring. Instead, try slipping a pair of contrasting boots on under your pant legs, like a gray snakeskin, khaki suede or stark white.

Shop similar styles: Nordstrom trench coat ($150; $97); J.Crew shirt ($80); Rag & Bone belt ($150); Pistola pants ($158); J.Reneé boots ($120)

what shoes to wear with leather pants sneakers

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3. CHUNKY SNEAKERS WITH STRAIGHT-LEG PANTS

If you’re looking for a more casual option, try pairing sporty sneakers with straight-leg leather pants. The key to making this combo work is all in the hem, which should hit just above the ankle to give a small flash of skin between your footwear and your pant leg. (P.S. If you’re rocking leather leggings, try a sleeker shoe option, like a classic Converse rather than chunky kicks, to keep your outfit’s proportions in check.)

Shop similar styles: Open Edit blazer ($75); L.L.Bean T-shirt ($25); Strathberry bag ($645); Anine Bing pants ($349); Selected Femme sneakers ($182)

what shoes to wear with leather pants tall boots

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4. TALL BOOTS WITH LEATHER LEGGINGS

Curve-hugging leggings are a dream come true for tucking into boots that hit mid-calf or higher and, rather conveniently, the two make for an incredibly chic outfit base too. It doesn’t much matter whether you prefer ‘90s-esque knee-high boots, supermodel-inspired thigh highs or trendy lug-sole Wellies—so long as they are neatly tucked in for a smooth finish.

Shop similar styles: Only coat ($87; $61); Naadam sweater ($350; $200); Spanx leggings ($98); Chelsea Paris boots ($646)

what shoes to wear with leather pants kitten heels

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5. POINTY-TOE KITTEN HEELS WITH CULOTTES

We love the leg-lengthening effects of a stiletto heel, but cropped pants and high-heels rarely work well together. However, a pointy-toe kitten heel is just as good at giving us mile-long legs without throwing everything out of proportion, making them the perfect shoe to wear with this tricky-but-stylish pant silhouette.

Shop similar styles: Free People sweater ($78); Athleta sweater ($98; $70); DKNY pants ($109); Cult Gaia heels ($428)

dont wear clogs

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6. SKIP: CLOGS

The outdoorsy nature of Birkenstocks, Crocs and other backless clog styles just don’t vibe well with high-shine leather, no matter what leg silhouette you try. Instead, pair your clogs with denim, in any wash you like, for a more compatible match.

dont wear flip flops

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7. SKIP: FLIP-FLOPS

Leather pants work best in fall and winter (they’re far too hot to sport mid-July), so wearing them with a summer staple like flip-flops just winds up looking out of place. Swap them out for a minimalist ballet flat or loafer if you’re not into any of the suggestions above.

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