Pant-shoe proportion observation

While I have trouble gettiing a good fit and proportion in skinny or tapered pants as a general rule, I have acquired a few slightly fitted/tapered pair that work in my wardrobe and work well with longer or oversized tops, for a change of silhouette. The biggest thing to watch out for is that this type of pant can veer into ice-cream-cone-like.

I also have a couple of pairs of flats with slightly pointy toes, that "go" with said pants.

However, I've noticed that when I match up the skinny pants with the pointy flats, the resulting look is not exactly what I want. It's almost too prim or prissy or something. Whereas, if I wear a shoe with a bit more substance--not clunky but maybe a refined oxford or a typical loafer--I may like that better. I think it is not just vamp height but more shoe overall. It could also be heel height, as the loafer or oxford may have a 1/2 or 3/4 " heel, but seems to be true even in a flatter shoe.

I was wondering if that is due to a real rule of proportion ( in current style culture, of course) --that the amount of shoe "presence" balances the taper the way a slight bootcut pant balances the pear shape., or if it's just a personal preference. Usually I'm trying to up the ladylike aspects for work because some elements of that are anti-frump and sometimes less casualized. I can see how the more tapered shoe helps me with more straight or trouser styles, but I did not expect it to work in the wrong direction for tapered pants.

What do you think? Have you had similar reactions?

10 years ago

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I think a lot depends on your body proportions and lines. Some women look great in skinny pants with pointy flats, others need a more substantial shoe. Then, there's also the question of where the hemline of the pants hits because that also makes a difference in how it comes together on the person. The width of the pants is also important - for some, skinny pants are basically leggins made up in a different material; for others, skinny pants are fairly relaxed along the thigh and taper to the hem.

Suz

Do you have some visuals? I'm having a bit of trouble imagining all of this, somehow. Maybe I just need another cup of coffee, LOL!

unfrumped

Alexandra, that seems right--I know that sometimes I assume things will mix and match and find my eye is very picky as to what really looks right, or at least what I had intended.
Thanks, Suz, I will try to scrape some together. Have more coffee anyway! It is something about how though I'd love to look like Audrey Hepburn, there is some line that I cross and become too prim and not sporty or perhaps "strong" enough--not sure how that fits into my not-yet-fully- identified style descriptors.

Aziraphale

Even without visuals, I think I know exactly what you mean. I don't have pointy flats, but I have other dainty shoes, and if my pants are too slim-fitting, (especially at the ankle) it feels, like you said, to "prim and prissy". I'm not absolutely against prim and dainty, but for me there is a fine line, and if I cross it, I don't feel fab.

As for solutions? I don't know if there is a rule when it comes to this sort of thing. I just take it on a case-by-case basis. I've learned which pants don't look right with my daintier shoes, even if I can't quite articulate why, and I don't pair them.

Aha! Arizaphale, validation!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Your outfit probably feels more grounded in a substantial dainty shoe.

catgirl

I'm not sure this is what Angie meant, but my daintiest shoes (and there isn't a lot of dainty in my wardrobe) are a pair of pointy Allsaints flats with studs. I feel like that works to de-daintify tapered pants for me, where ballet flats would be too twee.

Ho ho, Angie, I like that. Substantially dainty. And grounded. Good goals.

Janet

I totally get what you're talking about! I have to watch out for the ice-cream-cone effect because I have large hips and thighs. I do much better with a substantial shoe or bootie with skinnies than anything too delicate.

thimblelina

I think having big feet plays into this too. If I remember correctly our beloved ms Hepburn had largish feet for her tiny frame, thus making her look coltish in ballet flats; put a rubenesque woman with feet on the small side in those same ballet flats & the result looks like a botero painting come to life.

mmmeg

Active Member

I'm 5'10, very hourglass with wide hips and shoulders. My shoe size is about 8.5-9, so not tiny, but not huge, either, considering my overall size. I often feel like I need bigger looking shoes to balance myself out, especially if I wear jeans. I've never felt comfortable wearing pointy toed shoes. I'm looking forward to cooler weather to wear boots more. I've also recently added skate shoes into my wardrobe and really liked the look, being a bit dressier than running sneakers that I wore before but not as dainty and dressy as my ballet flats. Plus they have been very comfortable and I can wear women's or men's, which is nice when thrifting.

bj1111

i think this is the converse of wide legs and pointy vs round toe shoes discussion that dianthus (?) started.

rabbit

I think it totally depends on body shape, and what works to add 'balance' to a particular shape like Thimbelina points out with the Botero painting analogy. I'm not sure it works to look like a spinning top balanced on a point that could tip over. The flip side is that a lean tall shape can get swallowed by chunky, round-toed higher boots at times, although adding volume on the top of the body with oversized sweaters or something can balance it out.

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