You can never have too much of a good thing, and right now, my thing is flare jeans. After being somewhat cast aside for the first time in recent history, thanks to trending wide-leg styles and prominent tailoring, this specific denim style is officially back on the radar. Searches for jeans and denim trends have been on the up since the beginning of the year, and new looks such as patchwork, horseshoe and criss-cross waistbands have been well received by shoppers. My current favourite jean shape has also seen a resurgence, but it begs the question: What shoe styles look best with flare jeans?
We're living in a more democratic denim world, and that means flares are being adopted once more by stylish women in London, Paris, L.A. and beyond. With this newfound love for flares, we've developed some theories of the shoe styles that work best and will properly complete your outfit. We've found that platforms, strappy heels and any type of trainers are shoes that look great with flared jeans. Heeled boots, kitten heels and even clogs are another few other options that work well too, whether you prefer cropped flares or floor-dusting lengths. Whilst some shoes always look good with jeans, others feel like they were made for solely wearing with flares.
What Kind of Shoes Should You Wear with Flared Jeans?
Net-a-Porter Fashion Director Kay Barron says that there are a number of different shoe styles that can work with flare jeans. "Statement making platforms like the Jil Sander Metallic leather pumps will give maximum impact, especially when you want to elongate your silhouette," explains Barron.
"A block heel works much better than a spikey stiletto, especially if the hem is floor-length, which I always encourage. Although if higher heels aren’t your thing, then slingback pumps or mules, with shorter block or kitten heels work wonderfully with flared jeans such as the Manolo Blahnik Callamu 50 elaphe mules which will give your flares a more polished punctuation."
Can You Wear Flat Shoes with Flare Jeans?
If heels aren't your thing, you don't have to shy away from wearing flare jeans. Simply opt for a more cropped style to keep hems off the floor. Barron agrees, stating that "there is something very elegant about a flared hem swinging above a bare ankle."
Keep scrolling to see eight footwear options in action that always look best with this denim cut.
8 Shoe Styles to Wear with Flared Jeans:
1. Heeled Boots
Style Notes: The idea of a blazer with flares and a striped tee is totally timeless. Just look to the plethora of French girls wearing this silhouette!
Style Notes: Franny Mozemba's white flared jeans look very chic with tan boots and a white blazer.
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This heel length is tall enough to add a touch of length to your look, but short enough to feel super comfortable if you're trotting around all day.
For extra height, we love this style from & Other Stories. Just imagine the sleek tip peeking out from under an indigo wash of flare jeans!
Suede is a perfect finish for now through to spring.
2. Ballet Flats
Style Notes: You might be wondering if you can wear flat shoes with flare jeans, and the answer is most definitely yes. This is especially true if you take a page from Marianne Smyth's book and style a pair of Mary Jane with cropped and flared denim.
Style Notes: Edgier outfits with leather jackets and wide-leg jeans instantly feel a little sweeter with a pair of ballet flats. If you're torn between shoe options, Chase Marie Wise's look shows it's worth giving your ballet flats a chance.
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This pair looks so good with flared white jeans.
COS' viral ballet flats now come in this chic Bordeaux shade.
The toe shape is so sleek.
3. Strappy High Heels
Style Notes: You can even turn up your flares slightly to show off more of your strappy heels à la Jessica Skye.
Style Notes: This is a look for all the minimalist flare jean lovers out there. Allison Ho's white blouse and black strappy heels are just lovely.
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This soft metallic is so sweet.
This Reformation pair also comes in an almond leather, tan buff and classic black.
I'm bookmarking this pair as a strong wedding-guest shoe.
4. Trainers
Style Notes: The extremely trendy Adidas Sambas are another solid option when you're in search of trainers that look good with flare jeans. They keep the outfit casual without making it feel too sporty—which other styles of running shoes are capable of doing. Copy Camille Charriere's look that perfectly blends laidback with well-styled by wearing a relaxed white T-shirt and adding a jumper and compact handbag for wearing around your shoulders.
Style Notes: If you're looking to elevate your trainers-and-jeans pairing, this is the formula to follow. Just throw a blazer over the top of a tucked-in white T-shirt. Oh, and add a structured handbag.
Shop the Shoe:
It might be time to snag the shoe that remained a cornerstone of celebrity street style in the early 2020s.
This ecru pair is softer than a bright white—but both colours are worthy of a spot on your shoe rack.
If you're after something with a little more structure.
5. Kitten Heels
Style Notes: For barely-there flares or cropped flares, try matching the shade of denim with your colour of kitten heel. Sylvie Mus does it best here, pairing her deep black jeans with sleek leather mules. If you're curious about where flare jeans should hit with heels, a good rule of thumb is about 2.5 centimetres above the shoe. With a cropped flare jean, the jeans will hit your ankle or just above, and therefore your full shoe will be on display.
Style Notes: Kitten heels, whether in a mule style or sling-back silhouette look good with many different trousers, but peeking out of flared jeans they look especially stylish. Choose a white pair if you want them to stand out from the volume of your jeans.
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A pop of red beneath your flare jeans is always a good idea.
I love the tiny bow on these mules.
These look pretty whether the toes peek out of long flares or if the crystal strap shows when you're wearing cropped flares.
6. Chunky Flat Shoes
Style Notes: Yes, the idea extends to clogs—a pairing we've seen some of fashion's more adventurous women trying out.
Style Notes: But you could also opt for thick-soled flip-flops, when the weather warms up again, as demonstrated so elegantly by TyLynn Nguyen here.
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Clogs are set to be big news this year. Look for classic pairs like Birkenstock's Boston style.
An investment pair.
These come Daisy Edgar-Jones approved.
7. Platform Shoes
Style Notes: I don't like to make sweeping statements, but this one is true: So many French women (like Anne-Victoire Lefevre here) wear platforms with their flares, and it just works.
Style Notes: Julie Sergent Ferreri is an ardent flare wearer, and as such, she has many good outfit ideas for you to copy.
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Black platforms + indigo denim = a match made in heaven.
Sydney Sweeney agrees that platform shoes are essential under wider-leg trousers.
These consistently sell out and blur the line between a classic black boot and a statement shoe.
8. Heeled Flip Flops
Style Notes: It might feel brazen, but some of the most stylish people are wearing their flare jeans with heeled flip flops. Something about the kicked-out shape and exposed toes feels super fresh and bohemian.
Style Notes: Both flare jeans and flare trousers work with this shoe style, though we're loving this styling hack from Clara Dyrhauge which involves reaching for a cropped button-down to bring a tapered feel back to your look.
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This outfit is joy personified.
So expensive-looking!
But if you are looking to splurge, this is a timeless choice.
This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
