What Shoes to Wear with Wide Leg Jeans in Fall (Ideas)

Short answer: Shoes with a bit of structure work best under wide leg jeans in fall: ankle boots, loafers and chunky sneakers. They hold their shape under a wide hem, so the jeans don't swallow your feet.

Wide leg jeans are easy to love and a little tricky to shoe. The hem is roomy, so a thin or delicate shoe can disappear under it. Here are three fall outfits built around our black wide-leg jeans, each with a different shoe.

Black Chelsea Boots, Cream Knit and a Belt

Chelsea or other ankle boots are the safest fall pairing for wide leg denim. The sleek shaft sits under the hem, and the sturdy sole gives the loose leg something to balance against. Start with these black jeans in their flat, matte denim, add a cream sweater and a brown leather belt through the belt loops. Since the rise is mid-to-low, tuck the sweater in at the front to show off the waistband. Finish with a wool coat.

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Penny Loafers, Crew Socks and a Denim-Friendly Blazer

Loafers give wide leg jeans a polished look for the office or a weekday lunch. Choose a chunky or lugged sole so the shoe doesn't get lost, and wear socks in gray, burgundy or cream for fall color. Pair them with the black jeans, a fitted turtleneck and a camel blazer. The hem should just skim the top of the loafer, so check the size chart for length before ordering. All sales are final, so measure first.

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Chunky White Sneakers, Flannel and a Leather Jacket

For weekends, a thick-soled sneaker is the easiest answer. The bulk of the shoe matches the width of the leg, which keeps the proportions even. Wear it with the black jeans, a gray tee and an open flannel shirt, then add a leather jacket when it cools off. The leopard-print star patches on the back pockets are the only pattern here, so keep the rest simple and let them stand out.

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Check Hem Length Before You Pick a Shoe

With wide leg jeans, the hem matters more than the shoe style. Ideally it skims the top of your shoe or sits just above the floor when you stand. If it pools too much, it will drag in fall rain. Our black wide-leg jeans have full-length hems, so compare your inseam and your usual shoe height with the size chart. Wearing the boots or sneakers you plan to style them with while you measure will give you a more accurate answer.

Match the Shoe to the Weight of the Fabric

Our black jeans are made of flat, matte cotton denim in a loose cut. That calls for shoes with some weight, like leather boots, loafers with a thick sole or substantial sneakers. Thin ballet flats and strappy sandals tend to vanish under a wide hem. Keep the rest of the outfit simple too. A fitted top or a tucked-in sweater balances the roomy leg and keeps the outfit from looking boxy.

Want more options? Browse all jeans by body type.

Questions, answered

Should wide leg jeans cover my shoes?

Mostly, yes, but not completely. The hem should skim the top of the shoe, with the toe or a bit of the sole showing. Check the size chart for length so you can plan for the shoes you'll wear most.

Do these jeans have a high rise or tummy-control panel?

No. The photos show a mid-to-low rise with a belt-loop waistband and no visible control panel, despite the word in the title. The cut is loose and relaxed, so use the size chart to choose the fit you want.

What if the jeans don't fit with my boots?

All sales are final, so we can't take returns or exchanges for fit or a change of mind. Check the size chart carefully before ordering. If your jeans arrive damaged, defective or wrong, we'll replace or refund them within 14 days of delivery. Shipping is free in the US and takes 7-14 business days.