Spring pants and shoes (pic heavy)

My boyfriend is out of town, so I get to stay up all night playing in my closet!

I'm trying to figure out whether I need some new shoes to wear with cropped/ankle pants to work this spring/summer. The black oxfords and the nude walking flats are recent purchases that can still be returned if they do not work. At first I was planning to get nude oxfords to wear with my short pants, but then when I tried them on, I wondered whether that was the best idea with a wardrobe of dark colored bottoms (the navy J. Crew ankle pants pictured and their black twins, and this pair of black crops). So instead I went with the black Nayas. I got the nude sneaker flat things on a whim simply because they are so comfortable. They don't have to be for work, but now I'm wondering whether I need those at all, since I do have my Ugg mocassins. I also have black, cognac, and coral pumps that live at the office (not pictured).

Ok, so my questions:

-Which shoes look best/worst with the ankle pants? Any better ideas?
-How is the length? I am somewhat considering letting the hem down on the black ankle pants (not shown) and taking it up on the navy ankle pants.
-Which shoes look best with the dress?
-Do any of these shoes need to be let go? Do the new ones add something to my shoe wardrobe?

*Bonus pic of my shoe guardian! Thanks for looking!

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12 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

What a cute little observer

-my favorite shoes above with the black ankle pants are the black oxfords and secondly the black peep toe pumps, since they both work perfectly color-wise and help lengthen the leg to my eye. Most of other shoes could work depending on the top they are being worn with, although the moccasins look more casual than the pants pictured to me.

-The length as pictured looks fine to me, although I could see a little longer working too. Shorter could also work, but I think with dark pants it could make your legs look shorter unless offset by heels or a column of color.

-with the dress I like the black oxfords, second choice pale gray oxfords (assuming that color is in the dress) best. The taupe slip-ons with the strap also work though.

-the black oxfords definitely add a dressy/funky black flat shoe to the mix. I would keep. I'm not sure that the buff colored walking shoe does something different from the moccasin although it's arguably a little less casual/more like a sandal.

Liz

I'm surprising myself by liking the dark shoes with the cropped pants (usually I go for nude). I think it's because they echo your dark hair.

With the dress, I have a poison eye for heavy dark shoes contrasted with bare legs, so I'm not the best judge there. However...have you tried those cute orange flats with that dress?

Love the cat-in-a-box!

Anonymous

Angie suggests :
"Wear heels: Some long-limbed ladies can pull off the tricky length with flats, but most of us need to add a little extra height to balance out the leg shortening effect. A low heel is just fine. Choosing a low vamped shoe will further elongate your leg line.
Keep contrast low on the legline: Think about the colour contrast of the pants or jeans against your skin tone, of the footwear against your skin tone, and between the cropped pants and your footwear. Keeping some of these contrasts low can have leg lengthening effects. For example, dark cropped pants create a high colour contrast against a pale skin tone. To compensate, pair them with heeled, low contrast footwear. Wearing cropped pants that are low contrast to your skin tone makes your legs look longer."
I like the black shoes best with your dark crops for a longer look. I think that they work with your dress too because they bookend your hair.

Golden

I like the darker shoes in all of the outfits. Must be the book ending...I am a believer!

Jenny H

I like the darker shoes best with the ankle pants, I like the way they visually continue the leg line.

Mona

I like black oxfords in the first photo with black pants. This look is very current and now. Second preference is for the peep toe pumps. I will leave the shoes with dress questions to experts.

Liz A.

Thank you all for your input. It's funny how it really helps me with my thought process. When I first bought these ankle pants (the ones in the pics are navy, but I do have the same in black), I wasn't really feeling the length. I think it doesn't work so well with the lighter and low profile shoes like the ballet flats. I agree the black oxfords and the peep toes look best with this length.

I like the flats better with the shorter crops than the longer ankle pants. Somehow I don't mind a lighter colored shoe with that length either despite missing the bookending factor. I'm still thinking about cropping the navy pants, but I'm also considering getting a navy pump to wear with them.

I would really love a nude and a black flat to wear with dresses, but it hasn't been in the cards for me thus far. I'm not having much luck with flats that stay on my feet... even the ones I already have. I'm leaning towards keeping the black oxfords. Jury is still out on the walking flats. They really belong in a more casual capsule anyways.

ETA: Yes! I do wear those orange flats with this dress all the time!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Personally, I think you need to shorten the pants. #13 is best by far to my eye - and #12 is next. Also, partially tuck your top to shorten the torso and lengthen the leg line.

rachylou

Angie is so smart. The proportions are best in #13/12.

My thoughts: First, I need your blue blouse. Second, I like your oxfords. Third, I like your moccasins and boat shoes, but not with the pants. I think you might try a light grey cami with the dress. And I'd maybe pass on the diagonal strap blowfish shoes.

Just to clarify, there are two pairs of pants on display here, shorter crops and longer ankle pants. Sounds like the consensus is that the crops are a more flattering length. I'm convinced! I still want two different lengths, so I think I will take the longer pair up about 3 inches.

Rachylou, that blue blouse can be had for a great price! And if you don't like the price today, just wait it out. They're always having fantastic sales.

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