How to Wear Wedge Sneakers

Co-authored by Neepa Sikdar

Last Updated: February 22, 2022 References

Wedge sneakers can be an intimidating look to pull off, but just about anyone can do it with the right outfit. To build your perfect outfit, you’ll need to choose bottoms and tops that compliment your wedge sneakers. Skinny jeans and leggings look great with wedge sneakers, as well as short skirts and dresses. Pair your sneakers with a button up top or a blazer for a more professional look. You can further enhance your ensemble with smart accessories.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing the Right Bottoms

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Wear skinny jeans with your sneakers for a casual outfit. Wedge sneakers can be large and a little clunky, but they can still look stylish when you wear jeans that make your legs look slender and long.^{[1]
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Neepa Sikdar
Personal Stylist
Expert Interview. 11 February 2022.} With skinny jeans, you have the option to cuff the pant or tuck them into the sneakers. Both styles look fantastic with any choice of top.^{[2]
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- Match your sneakers with a white tee for the ultimate casual and sporty look. Throw on a sweater or hoodie in the colder weather.
- Avoid wide leg pants, which will add to the bulkiness of your lower leg, making them appear heavy.
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Throw on a pair of leggings for an edgy look. Like skinny jeans, leggings make the leg line look slimmer, which helps to balance out the wedge shoes on your feet.^{[3]
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Neepa Sikdar
Personal Stylist
Expert Interview. 11 February 2022.} They come in a variety of colors, and some even have stripes and patterns. They are an excellent choice for long tunic tops, dresses, and skirts, though.^{[4]
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- Opt for black leggings and a matching leather jacket for an edgy look.
- You could also try wearing shorter leggings with your wedge sneakers. Full-length leggings can be tucked into the sneaker, but 3/4 or 1/2 length leggings can make your leg look just as sleek and balanced.
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Stick with short bottoms to draw the eye upward. Short capri pants, shorts, and short skirts are all fantastic options for wedge sneakers.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Neepa Sikdar
Personal Stylist
Expert Interview. 11 February 2022.} These bottoms draw the eye upward, limiting the bulkiness that wedge sneakers sometimes create on the bottom of your leg. Since you have a lot of weight on your foot, keeping additional emphasis off the bottom portion of your leg leads a more balanced and well put together style.^{[6]
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- For a cute day look, wear a pair of wedge sneakers with denim shorts and a flowy blouse.
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Try a dress for a feminine look. Dresses are ultra feminine and create an interesting contrast when paired with sporty wedge sneakers. High-low skirts work especially well since they come up in the front enough to show off your legs, helping reduce the amount of perceived bulk toward the bottom of your leg.^{[7]
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- Avoid maxi skirts, which typically do not pair well with wedge sneakers. The more feminine the dress, the riskier the combination becomes. At the very least, dresses and skirts should fall at or a little above the knee.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Choosing the Right Tops

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Try a classic fitted tank top or t-shirt for a casual outfit. You can wear wedge sneakers like you wear normal sneakers in this regard. A fitted t-shirt or tank top paired with a simple bottom and your favorite wedge sneakers makes for an updated take on daily casual wear.^{[8]
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- Wear your wedges with shorts and a crop top for a fun flirty summer outfit.
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Go for a business casual look with a fitted button-down shirt or blouse. If you plan on wearing neutral wedge sneakers and a structured jean, trouser, or skirt, a fitted button-down shirt that nips in at the waist can complete your look, providing you with an appropriate “Casual Friday” type outfit. The same can be said for a fitted blouse.^{[9]
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- Alternatively, you can also pair a plain white button-down with denim skinny jeans and a bright, single-color wedge sneaker to add a pop of color and playfulness to your outfit. This look is best accented with other pops of color in your accessories.
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Add structure with a blazer. A tailored blazer can add just the right amount of structure and form, accentuating your curves without causing them to compete for attention with the wedge sneakers. For a more professional or chic look, stick with neutral colored sneakers and blazers. For something a little more interesting, throw over a brightly colored blazer with muted wedge sneakers.^{[10]
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- For a more professional look, pair all black wedge sneakers with black trousers and a black blazer over a white button-up blouse.
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Wear your wedge sneakers with a matching sports jersey for a bold sporty look. Sneakers were initially intended for active wear, so it’s no surprise that wedges will look great with a jersey from your favorite sports team. Wear your wedges with a jersey on game day to add a feminine touch to an otherwise sporty look.^{[11]
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- For example, if you’re a Los Angeles Lakers fan, pair their jersey with some purple or yellow wedges.
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Balance yourself out with a looser top. While the general idea is to keep your figure looking slim and tall to balance out the additional weight of the wedge sneaker, it can also be appropriate to wear a slightly looser, free-flowing blouse, tunic, or dress over skinny jeans and leggings. This is especially true for women with thicker legs who may feel the urge to draw attention away from their legs and to another part of their body. A flowing top can look feminine, and separating it from the sneakers with a snug bottom can still lead to a balanced look.^{[12]
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- Try an oversized sweater with your sneaker wedges for a sporty feel.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Accessorizing

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Layer accessories on the top half of your body. In order to balance out the weight and bulk of wedge sneakers, you need to add a little weight and bulk to the upper part of your body while keeping it away from the lower half. Avoid flashy belts or bulky dangle bracelets that will bring the eyes down. Instead, opt for colorful fashion scarves, decorative hats, large earrings, and long necklaces.
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Choose a matching bag. Throughout the history of fashion, it has always been very popular to match your shoes with a stylish bag. If you’re going to include a purse with your outfit, find one that is the same color or style as your wedges. It will make your outfit look well planned and put together.^{[13]
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- For example, if you have tan wedge sneakers with studs, style it with a tan studded purse or bag.
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Keep things fairly simple and avoid clashing patterns and colors. While it is generally a good idea to add accessories to the top half of your body, try not to get carried away. Stick with one or two pieces with your outfit, like a scarf with a hat, but do not wear too many accessories at the same time. This is especially important if you opt for shoes that are bright are patterned, since the shoes themselves can act as an accessory. If you do have a pair of wedge sneakers in a color or print, avoid wearing hats or scarves in bold colors or prints that may clash with your shoes.
- If you have a bold leopard print wedge, for instance, you should opt for a solid color scarf instead of a scarf with bold polka dots.

Community Q&A

Question

Why do shirts and pants matter?

Amber100

Community Answer

Because if you wear bootcut jeans/sweatpants no one will be able to see the shoe. You also don't want your shirt/top to clash with your wedges, so it's better to just wear a solid color or have your wedges a solid color with a nice patterned shirt/top.
Question

What if my mom says that I am not allowed to wear hidden wedge sneakers?

Community Answer

Ask her why; you may be too young (because wedges are generally for adults) or she may think that they might hurt your feet.