Pairing Silhouettes and Shoes

To successfully pair your dresses, skirts, or pants with your shoes, it's important to be strategic with proportions in order to achieve a balanced silhouette. Your body shape, as well as that of your clothes, and the details of your shoes should be taken into consideration to ensure they complement each other. The ultimate goal is to maintain or create the illusion of a fluent silhouette.

For those with a shorter torso or curvy physique (whether you're short or tall), high heels can be used to elongate the body. There are many options to achieve a balanced look, yet again looking "too tall" stands outside the "desirable" norm. It is needless to say that fashion rules are constantly evolving as designers introduce new avant-garde and daring shapes. The combination of the two can make or break an outfit, regardless of the type of clothing worn. Achieving a balanced silhouette is key to creating a flattering appearance, and the right pair of shoes can help to elongate the legs, add sophistication, or create a casual feel. Let's take a closer look at how we're currently mixing shoes and hems.

 

Straight-Leg & Skinny Pants

Flats shoes fall into the "no-brainer" category, meaning that they never leave you questioning your shoe choice. Flats create a casual feel, while high heels - particularly stilettos - elongate the silhouette, and mid-heels add sophistication to the look. Skinny pants can also be paired with booties, knee-high or thigh-high boots. When wearing straight-leg pants with booties, it's important to ensure that the pants' hem is not wider than the bootie. You can let the hem partly cover the bootie or roll it up a few centimeters to showcase the narrowest part of your legs. Avoid stuffing any excess fabric into the shoe rim, as this will create a bunched-up look and compromise your comfort by causing friction against your skin. Clean and slimming lines are key to creating a polished look.

 

Bootcut & Bell Bottoms

Both bootcut and bell-bottom pants share a similar silhouette, flaring from the knee down. The only difference is that bell bottoms flare out more. However, the extra width of these pants can visually shorten your silhouette. To counteract this, pair them with high-heel pointed-toe pumps or leather booties to create the illusion of height. The hem of these pants should graze the top of your feet and finish just above the ground. Avoid wearing these pants with flats, and if you're tall enough to ignore their height-boosting benefits, opt for pointed-toe shoes instead.

It's important to ensure that the fabric of the pants doesn't drag on the ground, as this can create a messy and bulky look, especially at the back. The minimum recommended heel height for these pants is 5 centimeters to achieve the desired lengthening effect. Bootcut pants also pair well with something more casual like sneakers and what better than whites that combine with everything.

 

Boyfriend & Wide-leg pants

Slouchy pants borrow from a men's fashion trend, so it's important to balance this masculine feature with ultra-feminine high-heel pumps or sandals. If flats are your preference, try elegant pointed-toe styles. High-heel booties are also a great option, but ensure a narrow strip of skin is visible at the ankle level to maintain a flattering silhouette. Besides having the most head-turning booties. 

For a casual look, you can also pair slouchy pants with on-trend sock sneakers or chunky sneakers. Alternatively, consider some designer kitten-heel slingbacks. These shoes infuse raw hems with a generous dose of girliness, creating a stylish and modern look.

 

Dresses & Skirts

By selecting the right shoes for each hem length and shape, you can take the femininity of your outfits to the next level. For miniskirts, whether they're A-line, full, or straight, choose lower heels for a classy look, combat boots with heels to keep the feminine in it or tall knee boots for colder weather.  Platforms can give off the impression that you're trying too hard, but if you still need some extra height, embrace block heels. For a sporty feel, pair your miniskirt with hip sneakers. To revive the 60s mod style, accessorize your A-line mini dress with mid-heel loafers or square-toe Mary Jane pumps.

Save your high heels for midi-length pencil skirts and sheath dresses as they work to lengthen your legs. Solid fabric and tailored evening gowns look great with high-heel broad-toe pumps, or opt for chunky block-heel platform sandals for a statement look.

In conclusion, the key to successfully pairing your silhouettes with shoes is to consider your body, the shape of your clothes, and the details of your shoes to create a balanced and fluent silhouette. By playing smart with proportions and choosing the right shoes, you can achieve a balanced and flattering silhouette. Remember that these fashion rules are constantly evolving, so don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. With the tips and tricks shared here, you can confidently mix and match your favorite silhouettes with the perfect shoes for any occasion.