There are a couple of things your fall/winter wardrobe craves – a chunky cardigan, a chic overcoat, and leather pants. Turns out that both tough punks and feminine French girls go for leather pants rather than standard denim, and they’re probably on to something.
The best thing about leather pants has to be the fact that you can find the perfect ones for you whatever your style and cut preferences might be. Worry not, we’re bringing you everything you need to know about how to style leather pants and what shoes to wear with leather pants.
Without further ado, here’s what shoes to wear with leather pants (and how to wear them)!
1. Sneakers
“Who loves leather pants the most? Supermodels! What shoes do supermodels wear with leather pants the most? Sneakers!”
That’s the mantra you should repeat whenever you catch yourself wondering what shoes to wear with leather pants.
That’s not to say you always have to copy the supermodels (or celebrities), but there’s nothing wrong with drawing inspiration from people who make a living off of looking good at all times.
So, what style of sneakers are supermodels and celebrities rockin’ with leather pants these days? Adidas Stan Smith shoes and Superga Emily low sneakers seem to be the ones they go for when they want to achieve that clean, fresh, white sneaker look.
Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star shoes are better for that classic ’90s supermodel look. Also, Adidas Samba shoes serve the purpose of adding an edge considering they’re also made of leather.
Oh and, you can get these sneakers for less than $100 which can only be one more reason to go with the leather pants and sneakers combination.
2. Loafers
Loafers are more than timeless – what better way to elevate your leather outfits and make them workwear appropriate?! Whether you prefer simple, easy-going ensembles or you’re happier when you wear something that’s over the top and on-trend, you can’t go wrong with loafers.
Penny loafers, tassel loafers, horsebit loafers, or chunky loafers – whichever style you go with, you’re guaranteed to turn heads because loafers work wonders with leather pants.
Horsebit loafers, leather leggings, and a simple, white tee, for example, are the perfect combination for women who prefer to dress simply. Chunky loafers, leather culottes, a cashmere turtleneck, and a clean-cut blazer (with a leather belt, preferably), are better for women who prefer to stand out.
Our favorite loafers at the moment are Saint Laurent Le Loafers, Gucci platform loafers, and Prada platform loafer mules, but you can easily find designer lookalikes at Zara, Mango, and H&M.
3. Combat boots
Combat boots are back and they’re here to stay! Truth be told, combat boots never really went out of style – they were waiting for a good moment to show how comfortable, versatile, and fashionable they are without having to fight with chunky, hard-wearing boot haters and naysayers.
But, combat boots and leather pants are a combination you can’t go wrong with. Sure, we wouldn’t suggest you wear them to the office (depending on the dress code). But, we would argue that these two wardrobe must-haves can be styled for whatever occasion.
Wear them with chunky cardigans and structured, clean-cut coats when you’re grabbing coffee with friends or with a sheer, lingerie-style bodysuit and an oversized blazer for a night out.
Our favorite combat boots ATM are Dr. Martens Jadon max chain platform boots, Prada Monolith leather, and nylon fabric boots, and Zara lace leather boots with treaded soles.
4. Pointy-toe pumps
We’re pretty sure you could see that one coming, right? Pointy-toe pumps are a staple that goes with pretty much everything you own and elevates pretty much every ensemble you put together.
Leather pants and pointy-toe pumps promise to make you look like a million dollars (without regard to what you style them with). Now, these two together typically work wonders with both soft, feminine looks and tough, punk ones.
So, don’t shy away from wearing them with flowy floras, puffy sleeves, and lavallières for events, date nights, meetings, and similar occasions. Wear them with graphic tees, fishnets, and leather accents for running errands or a girls’ night out.
Christian Louboutin Iriza Patent Open-Side Red Sole Pumps are the ultimate pointy-toe pumps, but you can also go with something along the lines of Schutz Lou Pointed Toe Pumps, Steve Madden Vala Pointed Toe Pumps or Nine West Tatiana Pointy Toe Pumps.
5. Platform pumps
Now, we wouldn’t lie on the off chance that we decided to argue how platform pumps have replaced pointy-toe pumps.
When we look at what celebrities and us regular folk have been wearing for the past couple of months and years, we would have to notice that chunky shoes (whether loafers, boots, or pumps) have never been more popular.
With that out of the way, we’re not necessarily surprised that platform pumps and Mary Janes come as an obvious answer to your “what shoes to wear with leather pants” question.
Platform pumps and Mary Janes wouldn’t damage the edge that leather pants bring to the table and they would, at the same time, add that fashion-forward element everyone knows and wants.
Our favorite platform pumps at the moment are Reformation Marisol platform heels, Aquazzura Sinner plateau 140 metallic-leather sandals, and Zara heeled platform shoes.
6. Strappy sandals
When we think of summer wardrobe, we don’t necessarily think of leather pants, right? We think of flowy, floral dresses, espadrille wedges, and straw hats. However, that’s not to say that nude leather culottes or earth-toned leather shorts don’t belong to your summer capsule wardrobe must-haves.
Granted that you do decide to wear leather on a sunny, summer day, we suggest you combine them with a simple, white tee, leather strappy sandals (to match), and one of those huge raffia handbags. Throw on a straw hat, sunnies, and your favorite gold jewelry, and you’re good to go.
Whether you’re a fan of flat strappy sandals or stilettos, our strut-worthy picks are Black Suede Studio Cindy Strappy Stiletto Slide Sandals, Gianvito Rossi Sylvie Strappy Metallic Ankle-Tie Sandals, and Schutz Adeline Strappy Ankle-Tie Sandals.
7. Ankle booties
Circling back to things you can wear during the fall/winter season, we can’t brush over the fact that ankle booties and leather pants are the perfect matches.
Leather ankle booties work wonders because they make your legs look longer, and suede ankle booties add a dash of je ne sais quoi that makes everything look more expensive and luxurious.
Ankle booties, luckily, are pretty easy to style, too. Combine them with your favorite leather leggings or leather wide-legged pants, chunky cardigans, structured button-downs, and chic overcoats. Add a couple of leather accessories, kitted accents, and gold pieces to tie everything together, and you’re done.
As for our favorite ankle booties, we would pick something along the lines of Paris Texas Slouchy Patent Stiletto Ankle Boots, Givenchy G Lock Leather Ankle Boots, and Schutz Mikki Leather Stiletto Ankle Boots.
8. Knee-high boots
Remember that whole leather-on-leather trend we talked about? Leather knee-high boots are a great way for you to achieve a similar vibe without having to wear head-to-toe leather.
Leather pants (or shorts) combined with leather knee-high boots are guaranteed to make you look taller (always a plus) and ready to take on the fashion world.
You can combine these two with pretty much whatever you want. Wear them with simple, white, or graphic tees for an “I didn’t try to look good at all!” moment or with turtlenecks, clean-cut blazers, and cream coats.
We’re rooting for Jimmy Choo, Khaite, and Other Stories, but you can go with whatever knee-high boots speak to you. Good luck!