Shoe "rules" for tapered trousers?

I was out shopping the other day and just for fun I tried on a pair of tapered ankle-length formal trousers. Normally I avoid anything like this shape because I think it is really unflattering on me. I wish I had taken a photo in the dressing room of this particular pair, as they seemed to actually be a reasonable fit and they were quite comfortable.

However, I realized that I have no idea what kind of shoes would work with this style of trousers, especially in a slightly more casual setting. I don't wear heels except on rare formal occasions, and even then I prefer a lower, chunkier heel. Most of the examples of trousers like this that I could think of featured slender platform heels and bare ankles, which just doesn't suit my style or tendency to have uncomfortably cold feet.

Can you wear this style with ankle boots and socks? Flats? Loafers? It seems like it would be easy to look very dated and frumpy, but I'm just not comfortable in dainty heels and I know I'd never wear them. Would shoes like any of these options work without looking frump-tastic?

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10 years ago

rute

Veteran

I have ones too and I've been thinking about that.
The best shoes are the black pumps (1)
But for more casual settings oxfords or loafers are great (2 and 3)
I'm not sure about the ankle boots with socks..

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Jude

Active Member

Pumps or flats with low vamps would probably work best with those pants, but I would be tempted to try them with oxfords, showing a little bit of skin between the hem of the pants and the shoes. I guess this would only work if the leg opening is small enough...

I'm not an expert, though. I only have one pair of tapered but rather baggy "ankle-length" pants (black and cream houndstooth), but on me they are full length I wear them tucked into black lace-up booties with two inch block heels (I'm not into dainty heels, either). Of course, if the shaft is high enough, you could do the same with ankle-length pants.

deb

I would try them with black and white oxfords or any color for that matter. it would make the pants less dressy and more edgy.

Liz A.

When you say formal trousers, do you mean for a formal occasion? Or just like regular work pants? For a formal occasion, you would need something on the dressier side, but for work, I would at least try them with #3 and #5.

Mander

(website)

Oh, sorry, I should probably say "work trousers" or something like that. They are the sort of thing you would wear to the office, although they could certainly go with fancy heels for a dressier occasion.

I didn't buy them in the end but I was thinking that they might work as a replacement for my old too-short suit trousers. But the shoe styling issue might make this cut impractical.

rachylou

How much ankle, if any shows? I think a block-heeled flat (not a ballet flat) would work well on general principal. Just stay away from bows to counter the frump factor. I also like the idea of a cap-toe, menswear oxford.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Can you provide a link to the trousers, Mander?

Angie, they were these, in black.

Rachy, they hit me right above the ankle bone, which might be too short in any case.

I think I probably won't go back to get them, but it was an interesting exercise to try on something so outside my comfort zone. If nothing else it highlighted the fact that my shoe collection is perhaps a bit inadequate. I am seriously considering getting something like the patent wedges I showed earlier -- normally I don't care for patent but I think it might offset the potential frump factor a bit.

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