Wide-leg trousers – whether palazzo cut, long culotte, elephant leg style or in flowing fabric with lots of drape – have established themselves as a must-have piece. Autumn and winter bring with them not only a drop in temperatures and the change of colours in nature, garments also acquire more volume and texture: coats, chunky knit sweaters, scarves, and of course, more structured and enveloping trousers.

These pants offer comfort, allow freedom of movement and at the same time project a sophisticated, modern and versatile aesthetic. But for this type of trouser to look elegant in the cold months, it is essential to choose the right footwear: not all shoes pair well with width in the lower silhouette. In autumn/winter 2025, new footwear trends are emerging that not only make a statement, but also play strategically with proportion, texture and contrast.

Below, we’ve broken down the main wide-leg trousers trends and the hottest shoes to pair with them for a balanced, stylish look.

Getty Images

Wide-leg trousers: styles, advantages and challenges

Before we talk about footwear, it’s worth briefly reviewing what types of wide pants are trending and what challenges they pose:

• Palazzo and very wide-leg pants: open from the hip or thigh, with a flowing drape and often a length that skims the floor.
• Long culottes: a medium version that stops just above the ankle.
• Structured, thick fabric trousers (wool, gabardine, crepe): the thicker fabric gives them a stiffer drape, ideal for colder climates.
• Flared pants: less extreme than palazzo pants, but flaring out from the knee.