5 Of The Most Stylish Shoes To Wear With Black Pants In 2025

If the little black dress is the classic you turn to for finesse, the little black pant is her cooler, less predictable younger sister. They're endlessly adaptable — a blank canvas for your outfits to build upon. One minute they're elevating a look for a rooftop party or gallery opening; the next, they're bringing intention to airport dressing. Black pants work in the office and for off-duty, too. They can set the tone for low-key brunches, spontaneous errands, or even wandering through the farmers market on a Saturday morning. Their function and intrigue depend entirely on how you style them.

Black pants don't need a big cocktail-party entrance — just the right pair of shoes. In 2025, it's the footwear that makes this perennial staple feel fresh again. What you wear with them says more than you might think, and this year, a handful of 2025 shoe trends are setting the pace for the most stylish pairings of all.

Ballet flats have pirouetted their way back into the spotlight in 2025, with zero intention of bowing out of the trend cycle. Kaia Gerber was seen around LA in black pants and classic black Repetto flats, the French-girl favorite that was founded on the barre and has since twirled into every good model's off-duty wardrobes. Kendall Jenner, too, has been spotted leaning into the look, proving that the balletcore aesthetic renaissance (even considering its complicated history) has legs.

Pairing them with black pants is one of the easiest ways to ace the ballet flats revival without making yourself look dated. Go for tailored, high-waisted, wide-leg trousers with a soft, fluid drape to channel that clean, elegant, quiet luxury aesthetic. Or, if you prefer something more relaxed, smart jogger-style pants (as pictured on this Paris Fashion Week guest) contribute a casual twist.

Back in 2024, Puma Speedcat sneakers were primed to replace the Adidas Sambas — the shoe du jour, if you will. A year on, they've more than held their ground. Their staying power points to a shift in the fashion undercurrent: The reign of the chunky sneaker is over, and in its palace, a return to the slim and sleek.

Worn with black pants — either tailored, slouchy, long, or short — these slim sneakers can infuse your style with an irresistible nonchalance. Not that the Speedcat is your only option, though. There's a whole roster of slim retro kicks that can take your black pants to the territory of effortlessly cool. Onitsuka Tiger's Mexico 66 ticks all the boxes, while Alohas' leather low-tops add a considered edge. If you're looking for something with a little more intention than your average trainer, consider Clarks' Original Wallabees — a cult classic and the thinking It Girl's choice, thanks to its hybrid shoe-sneaker status.

Loafers, too, have gone on a diet. Just like sneakers, they are slimmer and sharper in 2025, offering a subtler silhouette that plays especially well with black pants. In adding just enough structure to keep things feeling pulled together, they have the subtle power to ground a look without dragging it down. And because they don't add visual weight, they let the lines of your trousers do the talking. For the minimalist, their wearable refinery is a dream. For anyone else, they're a shortcut to looking chic.

Twee lovers of the world, rejoice! The Mary Jane is one of the formerly outdated shoe trends that's back in style in 2025. The buckle, strap, and vintage charm are all still there, but they've been reimagined for stylish wardrobes, swapping their schoolgirl innocence for smart, subversive sophistication.

When styled with black pants, the Mary Jane feels fresh again. A cropped hem or slim fit will allow your strap detail to peek through. For those flirting with coquette-core, or anyone just trying to make their black trousers feel less predictable but still functional, the Mary Jane delivers in spades.

Slingback heels stepped in to replace the prominence of sky-high stilettos in 2025, but in actuality, they never really went out of style. With their flattering pointed toe and subtle heel, they tease just the right amount of lift but remain far more forgiving than their higher-heeled counterparts. The casual sophistication they deliver sounds paradoxical but makes sense in practice, meaning you can dress up without slowing down.

With black pants, the options are endless. These shoes are guaranteed to look elevated, whatever the style. Try them with slouchy tailoring for a relaxed elegance, cigarette pants for a sharp, retro-leaning silhouette, or cropped flares to really show off the shoe. You don't have to overthink this livable heel — it does the work for you.