What to wear with wide-legged trousers?

[QueenOfTheAndals]

I never wear any trousers other than jeans (because they usually look rubbish on me) but have just bought two pairs of wide-legged ones that actually look good. I was semi-inspired by Emily Mortimer's wardrobe in Mary Poppins Returns!

Bit stumped as to footwear to go with them though. I wear ankle boots or Converse with my jeans but am wondering if a trainer with a slightly thicker sole (a la Trinny Woodall) would look good? Or should I go down the brogues route? Boots just don't seem right and loafers take me back to the mid-90s!

Personally, I have been rediscovering the joy of loafers with trousers (I struggle with heels nowadays, and have the confidence to wear flat shoes with trousers instead of trying to lengthen my legs by wearing heels with wide trews) but I like them with a bit of bling - patent leather, or mock-croc, bejewelled if I can get them or shiny snaffly bits. Russell & Bromley come up trumps usually.

Oh, and a longer, narrower shape than the penny loafer style - balances out the trouser shape better, I find. Enjoy your wide trousers, I'm so glad I held onto mine!

Thanks, maybe I'll give loafers another try. Was put off by a pair I saw which was identical to some I owned as a teen in 1996!

I pretty much live in wide-legged trousers at the moment. I wear either leather trainers (Paul Smith's Basso) with them or low-mid heeled ankle boots.

I don't like loafers with wide-legged trousers as I think the balance looks wrong - although I think they look great with slim fit trousers.

How long are the trouser legs? If they're those odd half-mast things that end above the ankle (I'm not a fan, as you can tell), then I wouldn't go for loafers or brogues with them - a leather trainer or longer boot would be better. If they cover the top of your foot, though, any sort of shoe would work. You can avoid the 90s feeling of a loafer by avoiding the brothel creeper-style crepe sole or anything made of velvet - otherwise you'll look like you're trying to channel the singer from Republica!

God no, they aren't cropped - cropped wide-legs are not a good look! They're full length and cover the shoe but show some ankle if I sit down so I've ordered the longer length too to see if they look better.

Brothel-creeper is quite a name for a type of shoe!

Can I ask where did you get your wide-legged trousers? I've been looking for some.

Brogues/oxfords, platformed trainers, leather trainers, or slim flat shoes like loafers

Just saw they are fully length. You need to wear something with a slim heel and need them to be longer. You can’t wear short shoes with full length trousers unless they are tapered

QueenoftheAndals isn't it just! I very much associate them with the 90s Red or Dead sort of look or Harry Hill. Can't quite get along with them although they do keep being revived.

racecardriver I am just wondering what you mean by long or short shoes - not being provocative or goady, but how can you help how long your shoes are? Does it not depend on the size of your feet?

I wear them with brogues or plimsols, mainly in good weather. But then I love cropped wide legs so you might not want to listen to me

With full length wide legged trousers I like to wear trainers. For cropped wide legged trousers I wear brogues and snazzy socks or mules when the weather is warmer.

Just saw they are fully length. You need to wear something with a slim heel and need them to be longer. You can’t wear short shoes with full length trousers unless they are tapered

Are you talking about heels and flats? If so I'd say slim heels or pointy toes flats with wide legged trousers is a very dated look. Block heeled boots with cropped wide-legged trousers looks modern and any androgenous flat looks great with practically anything.

@SilverBellsRing These ones

My trousers have arrived but I don't know whether to go for regular or long! What do you all think? I suspect my perfect length is somewhere in between. Those aren't the shoes I plan to wear with them but if I go down the trainer route then that's about the right height.

Shorter ones

Longer ones and get some wonder Webb iron on hemming stuff and make them slightly shorter.

I'd say longer ones, but take them up a cm. As you say, the ideal length would be between the two and it's easier to shorten than to lengthen.

There's about an inch and a half in each hem but I'm not sure if lengthening the shorter pair would affect the way they fall. Something to do with the weight of the hem making them hang properly?

I would say the longer ones and see if you can get thick soled trainers, they def hang better.

Btw they look great on you! Where are they from?

Good old Boden! I posted a link upthread. Got them in grey and black.

Yeah, much better to shorten the longer pair if they still seem to need it once you've tried them with the right shoes. As they're Boden they will have a decent seam allowance but it's difficult to hide the marks and creases left by the original hemming and the weight definitely makes a difference.

I really like them, btw! Do Boden sizes come up generous or small?

I would say they're generous. These are a 12 and slightly loose around the waist but a 10 would've made sitting down very uncomfortable!

So you did! Sorry I was being blind! Do like a bit of Boden. They do suit you.

Yeah I think as long as you steer clear of the obviously Bodenish patterns then their clothes can be quite nice!