Yes, full-length, floor-skimming trousers may be everywhere you look right now, but I’m here to play devil’s advocate and argue in defence of the timelessly-chic cropped trouser. The cool-girl trend of the moment might be to have puddles of fabric around your ballet flats or Adidas sambas, but as an editor who tries to focus not on the passing trends right in front of me, and more on which wardrobe items are genuinely flattering and will stand the test of time, I still have a soft spot for showing a little ankle. What can I say?
I know I’m not alone in this opinion, and so I recently took to Instagram to scroll through some of the most stylish accounts I know to find proof that cropped trousers are not only flattering, but extremely versatile too (way more versatile than a tricky dragging hem!) Adding to my conviction, most of the women I found sporting cropped trousers recently were French—a demographic well-versed in eschewing “of the moment” trends in favour of forever buys.
The fact that I’m petite at 5’2″ and find it extremely difficult to find full-length trousers that fit me, let alone look good, may or may not have something to do with my stance (where my fellow short girls at?!). But I stand by my opinion that cropped trousers are universally flattering on everyone, and much easier to pair with shoes, especially for autumn. That little ankle (or sock) flash makes ballet flats, loafers, trainers, heels and even boots just look, well, better.
Keep scrolling and you’ll find examples for nine of the best shoes to wear with cropped trousers—all undeniable arguments for why you should still be proudly wearing your cropped trousers. Whether that’s smarter tailored styles to the office or your beloved cropped straight leg jeans—enjoy!
1. Ballet Flats
Shop the Look:
COS
High-Waisted Tapered Twill Trousers
& Other Stories
Leather Ballet Flats
2. Loafers
Shop the Look:
Mango
Straight-Cut Crop Trousers
Gucci
Jordaan Leather Loafers
3. Mules
Me+Em
Luxe Flannel Wide-Leg Crop Pants
NA-KD Shoes
Flared Block Heel Sandals
4. Chunky Ankle Books
Shop the Look:
Everlane
The Utility Barrel Pant
Arket
Chunky Leather Boots
5. Slingbacks
Shop the Look:
M&S Collection
Leather Block Heel Slingback Shoes
6. Trainers
Shop the Look:
Arket
Rose Cropped Straight Stretch Jeans
Adidas Originals
Samba Og Suede-Trimmed Leather Sneakers
7. Pointed Toe
Shop the Look:
The Row
Thilde Stretch-Scuba Slim-Leg Pants
Saint Laurent
Avenue 95 Leather Slingback Pumps
8. Heeled Ankle Boots
Shop the Look:
& Other Stories
Heeled Leather Chelsea Boots
9. Sandals
Shop the Look:
Citizens of Humanity
Marcelle Cotton Cargo Trousers
The Row
Ginza Leather and Suede Platform Flip Flops
Next Up, The Autumn/Winter 2023 Fashion Trends That Really Matter
:quality(85):upscale()/2025/05/19/981/n/1922564/93076eb0682bb18c994e06.89379902_.png "What to Wear to Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball Tour"){kind=small}
:quality(85):upscale()/2025/05/23/715/n/1922564/1e63d6e168309df259d956.72331408_.png "21 Best Memorial Day Clothing Sales 2025"){kind=small}
