Best Shoes To Wear With Capris & Cropped Pants
Capris are tricky because they can make your legs look short. Wear them with the wrong pair of shoes, and you can look downright stumpy!
Case in point, Bulky socks and sneakers are comfy but paired with capris or short, cropped pants, they scream frump city! This is one summer-style sin you do not want to commit.
When wearing capris or cropped pants, stay away from …
- Bulky athletic sneakers with socks
- Clogs
- Loafers
- Oxfords
- Shoes with thick soles
- Shoes with thick, wide straps
- Clunky shoes
- Any heavy shoe that weighs you down.
To look fabulous in capris, you need to create the illusion of a long, lean lower leg.
To do this, put some visual distance between the hem of your capris and the tips of your toes. The best shoes for this are:
- nude (skin tone) color, or are the same color as your capris.
- are light and airy looking mainly on the top of the foot
- have a low vamp
- have a pointy toe, rather than a round toe
- have no straps above the ankle
1. Lace-up Sandals
Here are some popular styles of shoes to wear with summer capris and cropped trousers that will make you look stylish and balanced
Lace-up sandals are open, airy, and reveal some skin that helps elongate the leg. If you don’t like up lace-ups, then any flat sandals will work. Choose a simple t-strap or multiple straps, but make sure the sandal looks light and airy to go with the breezy, summery look of capris and cropped pants.
shop the look
2. Pumps
A classic pointy-toe pump elevates the look of capris and cropped pants. A fine, high-heel sandal adds a sexy touch if you wear them with capris.
Notice how this chunky platform mule on the left covers and weighs down the foot making the whole look frumpy. Compare this to the low vamp pump on the right, which opens up the foot and elongates the leg, and looks more proportionate.
3. Block Heels
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5. Lace Up Capris
Here’s something a little different. These capris have a cute, sporty detail. Can you see what it is?…. The fun lace-up detail along the sides, making them look nautical chic.
This silky, split-neck top in bright pink looks fantastic with white capris. Add a print bag and some textured earrings and you will look great. So you see, capris can look classy.
4. Flats
5. Canvas Flats
Espadrilles and canvas flats are lightweight, casual, and breezy. They’re a natural choice to pair with short-cropped pants and capris.
6. Mules
A cute pair of Mules look classy with capris, especially when they look like those chic gold ones. Add a circle bag and a cute wrap top, and you have elevated the casual nature of capris to a whole new level.
7. Strappy Flat Sandals
A pair of cute strappy sandals always look right in summer with cropped pants or capris. Gold is super flattering and works perfectly with all colors since it is considered neutral.
8. Statement Sneakers
Statement sneakers are not only comfy, but they’re also super stylish too, and there are so many to choose from to suit your personality. My favorite is the perforated style sneaker in this soft shade of blush.
9. Slides
Casual capris with a relaxed vibe look super with an easy pair of summer slides. These straw ones are all the rage and add a holiday vibe to a pair of olive linen khakis.
10. Platform Sandals
If you prefer some height, then a pair of platform sandals can work with cropped or capris pants. The light color-white- and cork wedge on these keep these sandals from looking too clunky or heavy with wide-leg capris.
shop the look
shop the look
6. Cargo Capris
Cargo pants are still popular and will always have their place, but as I said earlier, it’s easy to understand why some people are put off by them. Instead, cargo capris are casual and relaxed, similar to jogger pants.
This light green pair looks great when paired with this pretty, fitted print top. To elevate this casual outfit, add a beautiful bag, espadrille sandals, and some cute earrings.
3. Colored Capris
After a long, dark winter, it’s uplifting to wear something bright and cheery. Colored capris are always a popular choice in the summer.
This bright peach shade adds a feminine touch to sporty capris. For example, these pants would be great to take on a cruise or to a tropical vacation spot. Imagine how cute you’d look in all your trip photos!
I love this delicate lace top and the pretty puff sleeves with the peach. White sneakers and creamy accessories make the peach capris pop.
We’ve looked at a lot of different options of shoes to wear with capris. Which is your favorite type?
This is rather demoralizing for someone with bunions, flat feet, foot pain, and needs orthotic support and cushioning…who wants to walk a lot and not look like an old frump.
Where can I find the purse in this collection?
Hi Roxanne, which one are you after? Maybe I can find it for you?
Please help me find those espadrilles; they are perfect.
Hi Tracy, They must be sold out, but these are similar:https://rstyle.me/n/c252h9ueue
I like the look of all the shoes, but my concern is that I have a very high arch and heels and don’t get along. I need something that would be comfortable if I was doing a lot of walking for the day out sightseeing or shopping but still look fashionably acceptable.
Hi Heather, That’s always tricky. What about something like a ballerina walking shoe? It’s comfy and has a lower vamp than a running shoe. I’ve worn these when I travel, and they come in 3 colors: http://rstyle.me/n/crkk5cb52f7 Ecco is a super comfy brand. Cheers, Deborah
Generally, I am confident, and I pair what I like as an artist. Also, if I am unsure, I try out different combinations while running errands or shopping at the grocery store.
I like your Blog very much. It Inspires me to Tweak my wardrobe.
Thanks, Heather, It only takes a little effort to tweak your chic and look fabulous!