I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a little over jeans. And now that summer is on its way in, the need to switch up my staple pants is strong. We’ve seen capri pants start to take over, so might I suggest their feel-good cousin, gaucho pants, for your consideration. They’re a quintessential pant to choose when upping your fashion sense, and the right shoe can take it to the next level. So, as you prepare to tap into the latest trend, I’m here to make your styling journey even easier with a few footwear and gaucho pant combinations that’ll have everyone complimenting you.
If you’re thinking this silhouette looks familiar, you’re not wrong. Gaucho pants were a staple of the 2000s and 2010s, but would you believe me if I said that their origins go way back to 18th-century South America? What was once worn by cowboys to provide comfort and mobility while horseback riding has now been co-opted by fashion people, serving as an alternative to skirts and long pants.
And now they’re having a major return that I can’t get enough of. Come right this way for what shoes go best with gaucho pants.
Pointed-Toe Kitten Heel
A really good kitten heel, in my personal opinion, goes with everything. And these gaucho pants are no exception. Try pairing the look with a pointed-toe kitten heel (extra points if it’s a bright, neon color like this one) to create a strong staple look.
Penny Loafers
There’s something to be said about a good loafer, especially a leather one. It adds a certain charm and academia vibe to any outfit. Pairing your gaucho pants with a leather loafer is a chic way to wear these pants.
Black Boots
Now, not everyone is adventurous with their silhouettes, when playing around with a good gaucho pant. But if you’re feeling brave, pairing your pants with a tall black boot is a cheeky way to add some height and edge to your outfit.
Mesh Ballet Flats
With gaucho pants rising as a new fashion trend, and mesh ballet flats being a current popular trend, bringing the two moments together is a sure-fire way to let the world know you’re tapped into the latest and greatest fashion hits.
Peep-Toe Heels
Similar to the kitten heel, a good peep-toe heel with your gaucho pants is a way to tap into that nostalgia fashion we’re all loving right now. Bonus points if your heels have a little freaky shoe element like the ones above.
Platform Sneakers
If you’re into eclectic fashion moments, then pairing your pants with a staple platform sneaker will not only elevate your look but also turn heads. Fashion should be fun and this is how you make the most of your outfits.
Simple Heel with a Sheer Sock
Because it can sometimes be intimidating to figure out the awkward space between where your gaucho pants end and your heels begin, if you’re feeling bold add a pair of sheer socks or stockings to your outfit. It’ll make your entire look stand out.
Contrary to the haters, I believe in wedges supremacy. These fun, throwback shoes are the perfect footwear to pair with another throwback staple like the gaucho pants.
Aiyana Ishmael is the style editor at Cosmopolitan magazine. In her work, Aiyana focuses on the culture of fashion and how it intertwines and shapes the zeitgeist. She is an award-winning journalist from Miami, Florida, and a graduate of the historically Black university, Florida A&M. She is a 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30: Media honoree, and her debut romance novella PASSING GAME is set to release March of 2027 (831 Stories/Simon & Schuster).
