How to nail wedges with trousers: 8 failsafe outfit formulas
Wedges are undeniably the shoe of the summer. Love them or hate them, the boho renaissance is in full swing thanks to Chloé. At the autumn/winter 2024 show last March (the debut from new creative director Chemena Kamali) every front row guest, including Sienna Miller and Georgia Jagger, was wearing a pair of the brand's signature wedge heel sandals. The fashion world hasn't looked back since.
And while wedges (particularly open-toe ones) feel natural to pair with floaty summer dresses, they also look great with trousers. There's more to consider when styling separates, but trust us, it will be so worth it. Below, we have compiled the ultimate wedge-with-trousers matrix, matching the best pairs with the best styles, so you can get the most out of your wardrobe. It's like fashion mathematics — and we know you're going to ace the test.
With such a 70s aesthetic, it can be easy to think that wedges only go with wide-leg, bell-bottom style jeans. Not so! A straight leg can really show off the shoe in all its glory, and create an elongated silhouette. Important note: do not confuse straight legs with skinny jeans. There is a big difference. You don't want your feet to balloon out at the bottom. Opt for a classic style like Levi's 501s for a cool, never-try-hard look.
Beloved by Bella Hadid and plenty of A-listers alike, capri pants are having their moment. We love this wearer's tie-hem pair. A point toe wedge keeps the capris feeling fresh and modern, and helps balance out what can be an awkward trouser length. Neon shades are perfect for summer, and add interest to a black pair of capris.
The bermuda short is the smarter, more polished cousin of the jort — perfect for the office in the hot summer months. A pair of low-heel wedge mules adds a feminine touch, and will show off your fresh pedi.
We love a contrast! Wedges don't just have to be boho and romantic. Balance heavyweight leather trousers with an open toe stacked wedge. This is a perfect outfit for a summer evening event once the temperature has dipped.
Dress up baggy combat trousers with a smarter, more polished wedge heel. We love this wearer's closed-toe pair, with a contrasting white heel that matches her handbag. It's streetwear meets evening wear, and it's a vibe.
Balance out busy patterned trousers with a 'naked' look wedge. Clear perspex gives a nude illusion to the foot, meaning the trousers can really do the talking. These are a perfect shoe option for when you feel like nothing quite goes with the outfit.
Smarten up your wedges by pairing them with sharp suit trousers. An ultra-chunky heel shape balances out a tailored, straight leg trouser fit, and a slightly cropped hem means you can really give the shoes their moment.
A match made in heaven, channel your inner French girl with raffia wedges and wide-leg denim. It's a classic pairing for a reason — so why fix what isn't broken? A turn-up hem adds major chic points.
Rebecca Jane Hill is the Senior Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan UK. She has previously contributed to publications including Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, Refinery29, The Face, Glamour and Stylist. She started her own magazine, Sister, in 2012 whilst at university. Focused around feminism, fashion and culture, it went on to produce 12 globally stocked print issues, as well as countless events and partnerships. She closed the magazine in 2023.
Rebecca has been an associate lecturer at London College of Fashion since 2018, where she teaches on the Fashion Journalism course. She is a passionate second-hand shopper and is constantly on the lookout for new design talent.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cosmopolitan
5 hours ago
- Cosmopolitan
Sofia Richie Grainge dramatically cuts off her hair for a short French bob
Move over, long locks — Sofia Richie Grainge has officially entered the chic world of jaw-grazing bobs, and we're absolutely here for it. The daughter of Lionel Richie stunned fans with a fresh "French bob" debut on Instagram, documenting the dramatic chop right from her luxe South of France getaway at Hotel du Cap‑Eden‑Roc. Quelle surprise! Gone is the era of sleek buns and whisper‑soft waves. Instead, Sofia's new chin‑length 'do is razor‑sharp, subtly textured, and effortlessly Parisian. "She was nervous, but super excited," London hairstylist and the genius behind the look, George Curran shared with Vogue. Like us, friends, fans and followers of Sofia were just as shocked at the debut, taking to the comments section of her post to share their thoughts (which, included praise from none other than Vanessa Hudgens, may I add...). And not only that, but her husband Elliot gave it two enthusiastic thumbs‑up in her TikTok video documenting the chop. "I think it's really really pretty — it's like...'90s New York,'" he said. Get you a hubby who hypes you up like Elliot hypes up Sofia. #CoupleGoals. Far from a subtle trim, Sofia has lost around six inches of hair, making this French bob a dramatic transformation, to say the least. The style itself is a textbook example of a 'clean‑girl' transformation: minimal effort, maximal impact. Think bold, blunt ends with just enough texture to catch the light — and wind — in all the right ways. And with that, you best believe I'll be taking Sofia's IG post as a reference pic to my hairstylist ASAP. Bobs, here we all come! Follow Lia on Instagram. Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from viral celebrity hair and makeup news to the latest trend predictions, she's an expert in recognising the season's next big beauty look (before it ends up all over your social media feeds). You'll usually find her putting TikTok's recent beauty hacks to the Hype Test, challenging the gender-makeup binary and social stereotypes, or fangirling over the time Kourtney Kardashian viewed her Instagram Story (yes, it's true). Find her also on LinkedIn.
Business Insider
9 hours ago
- Business Insider
The hottest status symbols at the Cannes ad confab
Happy Saturday! A 51-year-old woman says she's in the best shape of her life after ditching cardio and getting into strength training. Here's how she did it. On the agenda: A dietitian explains why eating dessert can help you lose more weight and keep it off. A heated debate about location sharing is dividing generations. Creatine is a longevity wonder supplement — and it's not just for gym bros. The new American dream? Buying and renting out vacation homes in Italy. But first: Bonjour de Cannes! This week's dispatch The status symbols CMOs are into More than 15,000 marketing leaders and creatives descended on the French Riviera for this year's Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France. And while the thousands of chief marketing officers traded industry secrets and attended panels and networking events, I spent my time on the lookout for the status symbols they were wearing. You know … the important reporting we all want to know about. Right? Right. After spending six days with this group, I noticed two beloved items over and over again. One wasn't a shocker, while the other was a nice surprise. The first status symbol I noticed as soon as I touched down at the airport in Nice, before trekking the 45 minutes to Cannes, was that most of the marketers had Away luggage. It's not a new hot item, but it's easy to see why the brand is beloved by these busy professionals. They have a sleek, minimalist design. They're quite light, around 7.5 pounds, making it easy to head to Cannes or any other locale, and they have wheels that turn 360 degrees. Another travel item I saw time and again throughout my week in sunny Cannes was Celine sunglasses. The French designer's accessory is the ultimate "if you know, you know" product, as they're not deemed trendy. Instead, because of their quality — premium acetate and gold hardware — the sunnies were a favorite among marketers. During my panel at The FQ Lounge, Jennifer Wilson, the CMO of Lowe's, had also noticed the trend and said she had to pick up a pair, which range in price from $300 to more than $500, before she left France. Just desserts You don't have to cut out sweet treats to eat healthier. Having dessert or other favorite foods can actually help dieters reach weight-loss goals, Tara Schmidt, lead dietitian for the Mayo Clinic diet, told BI. The key is moderation. "Allowing for a balanced way of including your favorite foods, a planned indulgence, really helps people feel less deprived," Schmidt said. See her tips for indulging healthier. Do you want to share your location with me? You're likely to get a different answer depending on who you ask. Sharing your location with friends and family has become a heated debate among generations. BI spoke to people from all age groups to find out why. Gen Z is generally chill about it, with some citing convenience as a reason. Gen X is indifferent, seeing the pros and cons. Millennials, on the other hand, are more divided, with some saying they outright hated it or felt no need for it. To share or not to share. The creatine craze is more than just hype Researchers typically have a healthy mistrust of supplements, but creatine is the rare exception. Evidence is piling up about its positive effects on your body, brain, and longevity. Gym bros love creatine because it helps build muscle, but it's not just for bulking up. Early research suggests it can support hormonal health for both women and men. New research suggests creatine can help with brain performance, too. Plus, it's relatively inexpensive. Il (nuovo) sogno americano The new American dream includes buying and managing property outside your main residence. Italy, which boasts Mediterranean charm, a slower pace of life, and plenty of inexpensive real estate, is a prime target for American buyers. Plus, homeowners can personally enjoy their investments when they're not renting them out. It's a way of combining passive income with a familiar place to stay on vacation. Three Americans shared what it's like. What we're watching this weekend "A Minecraft Movie": One of the biggest movies of the year is now on Max. Travel to the world of Minecraft with Jack Black and Jason Momoa. "Love Me": Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun prove love is possible even after humanity's extinction in this unique love story, now available on Amazon Prime. "The Gilded Age": Season 3 of the acclaimed show set in 1880s New York City, starring Carrie Coon and Cynthia Nixon, returns on Max. What to shop Work out in style: Whether you're spending weekends on the pickleball court or out running errands, these super cute exercise dresses will keep you comfy and supported. Made-to-measure suits: Our men's style editor knows a thing or two about looking sharp. He tested Suitsupply's custom, made-to-measure suits and got the best fit he's ever experienced. Here's what it's like to order from them, and what to keep in mind. Cloud Couch dupe: We tested a modular sofa from Sundays that's just like Restoration Hardware's famous Cloud Couch, but way less expensive. If you're looking for a comfy couch to sink into, we can't recommend this one enough. More of this week's top reads: I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at 31 despite being fit and healthy. Doctors brushed off my concerns as pregnancy symptoms. Jason Isaacs reveals the " very low price" the "White Lotus" cast was paid per episode. I spent every summer in Greece as a kid. Here are seven places you should visit that aren't Mykonos or Athens. We moved to rural Oregon to save money. It's been great, but small-town life has its downsides. Ten items from your summer wardrobe to get rid of, according to stylists and designers. I spent a night in a brand-new luxury hotel in Seattle. I wasn't familiar with the chain, but now I'll book it worldwide. McDonald's was ranked the biggest restaurant chain in the US. Here are the other chains that topped the list.
Business Insider
13 hours ago
- Business Insider
The status symbol items CMOs sported at this year's Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity
Happy Saturday! A 51-year-old woman says she's in the best shape of her life after ditching cardio and getting into strength training. Here's how she did it. On the agenda: A dietitian explains why eating dessert can help you lose more weight and keep it off. A heated debate about location sharing is dividing generations. Creatine is a longevity wonder supplement — and it's not just for gym bros. The new American dream? Buying and renting out vacation homes in Italy. But first: Bonjour de Cannes! This week's dispatch The status symbols CMOs are into More than 15,000 marketing leaders and creatives descended on the French Riviera for this year's Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France. And while the thousands of chief marketing officers traded industry secrets and attended panels and networking events, I spent my time on the lookout for the status symbols they were wearing. You know … the important reporting we all want to know about. Right? Right. After spending six days with this group, I noticed two beloved items over and over again. One wasn't a shocker, while the other was a nice surprise. The first status symbol I noticed as soon as I touched down at the airport in Nice, before trekking the 45 minutes to Cannes, was that most of the marketers had Away luggage. It's not a new hot item, but it's easy to see why the brand is beloved by these busy professionals. They have a sleek, minimalist design. They're quite light, around 7.5 pounds, making it easy to head to Cannes or any other locale, and they have wheels that turn 360 degrees. Another travel item I saw time and again throughout my week in sunny Cannes was Celine sunglasses. The French designer's accessory is the ultimate "if you know, you know" product, as they're not deemed trendy. Instead, because of their quality — premium acetate and gold hardware — the sunnies were a favorite among marketers. During my panel at The FQ Lounge, Jennifer Wilson, the CMO of Lowe's, had also noticed the trend and said she had to pick up a pair, which range in price from $300 to more than $500, before she left France. Just desserts You don't have to cut out sweet treats to eat healthier. Having dessert or other favorite foods can actually help dieters reach weight-loss goals, Tara Schmidt, lead dietitian for the Mayo Clinic diet, told BI. The key is moderation. "Allowing for a balanced way of including your favorite foods, a planned indulgence, really helps people feel less deprived," Schmidt said. See her tips for indulging healthier. Do you want to share your location with me? You're likely to get a different answer depending on who you ask. Sharing your location with friends and family has become a heated debate among generations. BI spoke to people from all age groups to find out why. Gen Z is generally chill about it, with some citing convenience as a reason. Gen X is indifferent, seeing the pros and cons. Millennials, on the other hand, are more divided, with some saying they outright hated it or felt no need for it. To share or not to share. The creatine craze is more than just hype Researchers typically have a healthy mistrust of supplements, but creatine is the rare exception. Evidence is piling up about its positive effects on your body, brain, and longevity. Gym bros love creatine because it helps build muscle, but it's not just for bulking up. Early research suggests it can support hormonal health for both women and men. New research suggests creatine can help with brain performance, too. Plus, it's relatively inexpensive. Il (nuovo) sogno americano The new American dream includes buying and managing property outside your main residence. Italy, which boasts Mediterranean charm, a slower pace of life, and plenty of inexpensive real estate, is a prime target for American buyers. Plus, homeowners can personally enjoy their investments when they're not renting them out. It's a way of combining passive income with a familiar place to stay on vacation. Three Americans shared what it's like. What we're watching this weekend "A Minecraft Movie": One of the biggest movies of the year is now on Max. Travel to the world of Minecraft with Jack Black and Jason Momoa. "Love Me": Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun prove love is possible even after humanity's extinction in this unique love story, now available on Amazon Prime. "The Gilded Age": Season 3 of the acclaimed show set in 1880s New York City, starring Carrie Coon and Cynthia Nixon, returns on Max. What to shop Work out in style: Whether you're spending weekends on the pickleball court or out running errands, these super cute exercise dresses will keep you comfy and supported. Made-to-measure suits: Our men's style editor knows a thing or two about looking sharp. He tested Suitsupply's custom, made-to-measure suits and got the best fit he's ever experienced. Here's what it's like to order from them, and what to keep in mind. Cloud Couch dupe: We tested a modular sofa from Sundays that's just like Restoration Hardware's famous Cloud Couch, but way less expensive. If you're looking for a comfy couch to sink into, we can't recommend this one enough. More of this week's top reads: I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at 31 despite being fit and healthy. Doctors brushed off my concerns as pregnancy symptoms. Jason Isaacs reveals the " very low price" the "White Lotus" cast was paid per episode. I spent every summer in Greece as a kid. Here are seven places you should visit that aren't Mykonos or Athens. We moved to rural Oregon to save money. It's been great, but small-town life has its downsides. Ten items from your summer wardrobe to get rid of, according to stylists and designers. I spent a night in a brand-new luxury hotel in Seattle. I wasn't familiar with the chain, but now I'll book it worldwide. McDonald's was ranked the biggest restaurant chain in the US. Here are the other chains that topped the list.
