What Trouser Length Works with Elevator Shoes? The Right Hem Length and Silhouette
Styling Basics | Elevator Shoes × Trousers
Works with Elevator Shoes?
The Right Hem Length and Silhouette
The key to making elevator shoes look natural is not the shoes themselves but your trouser length. Get three things right, hem length, hem width and waist position, and 5 cm to 8 cm elevator shoes stop looking like you are trying too hard. Here are the guidelines by lift height and the common mistakes to avoid.
"I bought elevator shoes, but somehow my feet look out of place."
In most cases the cause is not the shoes but the trouser length. Elevator shoes gain their height from an internal insole structure, so the heel sits several centimetres higher than on ordinary shoes. If the hem is short, that raised heel is fully exposed and the bulk of the shoe is emphasised.
Put the other way round, simply getting the trouser length, hem width and waist position right makes even 7 cm or 8 cm lifts look natural. This article covers the recommended trouser length for each lift height, the silhouettes that suit each shoe type, and the mistakes people commonly make.
What this article covers
- The three conditions for trousers that work with elevator shoes
- Trouser-length guidelines by lift height
- Silhouettes that suit each shoe type
- Three common mistakes
- LEVANO trousers designed for elevator shoes
POINT 01
The short answer: a hem that rests lightly on the heel, a hem width matched to the shoe, and a high waist
To start with the conclusion, trousers that work with elevator shoes meet the following three conditions.
1. A hem that rests lightly on the heel (a single break)
The basic rule is to hide the heel of the shoe with the hem. When standing, the hem should rest lightly on the top of the heel so the ankle is not visible. Too short and the height of the heel stands out; too long and the hem touches the ground and gets dirty.
2. Match the hem width to the bulk of the shoe
The chunkier the shoe, as with sneakers or boots, the more natural a slightly wider hem looks. A hem that is too narrow makes the shoe look bigger and leaves the feet looking heavy. Use the hem width of straight or tapered trousers as a guide rather than skinny cuts.
3. Make the waist sit high
High-waisted or true-waist trousers visually lengthen the legs. Even if elevator shoes raise your feet, low-rise trousers with a low waist position cancel out the effect.
POINT 02
Trouser-length guidelines by lift height
The higher the lift, the more the heel is exposed. Here is a guide to how much the hem should cover for each height. These are only guidelines, so the surest way is to set the length while actually wearing the shoes.
By height: hem length and hem width guide
POINT 03
Silhouettes that suit each shoe type
Sneaker type (no01 to no13, etc.)
Sneakers already have thick soles, so a standard to slightly wide hem looks natural. Straight denim or chinos and relaxed tapered trousers go well. Avoid rolled-up hems, which expose the heel and make the height obvious.
Leather shoe and loafer type (no20, no21, etc.)
For business and formal wear, centre-creased slacks are the standard choice. Use a single break to hide the top of the heel. Loafers show a shallow vamp, so a short hem makes the height of the shoe stand out. Avoid a no-break length.
Sandal type (no15, no16, no30, etc.)
Summer sandals easily expose the heel. A length that shows just a hint of ankle looks more natural than an ankle-length cut. A straight leg that is not too wide works best.
POINT 04
Three common mistakes
Mistake 1: Trousers that are too short (ankles showing)
Trendy ankle-length trousers are sometimes a poor match for elevator shoes. The height of the heel is fully visible, so the shoes become far more conspicuous.
Mistake 2: A hem that is too narrow
With a narrow hem like skinny jeans, the shoes look bigger by comparison and the feet look heavy. Choose a hem width that matches the bulk of the shoe.
Mistake 3: Low-rise trousers with a low waist position
Even with 5 cm to 8 cm of extra height at the feet, a low waist makes the legs look short and weakens the styling effect. High-waisted or true-waist trousers are recommended.
POINT 05
LEVANO trousers designed for elevator shoes
LEVANO Style-Up trousers are made specifically to be worn with elevator shoes. The range has two denim and two slacks styles in sizes S to XL, and no33 and no34 are high-waisted to raise the waist position. Trouser length, waist and hem width are listed in the size chart on each product page, so you can choose to suit the elevator shoes you own.
Comparison of the four trousers (size M measurements)
Hem width is the circumference. See the chart on each product page for details by size (S to XL).
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Q. Do I need to have the hem taken up?
It depends on your height and the shoes you own. If you do hem your trousers, always set the length while wearing the elevator shoes themselves. If you set it with ordinary shoes, the trousers will be too short once you switch to elevator shoes.
Q. Which looks more natural, sneakers or slacks?
Either can look natural. What matters is not the shoes but the length and hem width. Remember a slightly wider hem for sneakers, and centre-creased slacks with a single break for leather shoes, and you are unlikely to go wrong.
Q. What about shorts and sandals in summer?
Shorts expose the whole heel, so a lower model (5 cm to 5.5 cm) looks most natural. With sandals, pair them with trousers that show just a hint of ankle.
LEVANO STYLE-UP PANTS
For those who want to coordinate shoes and trousers as a set
LEVANO offers denim and slacks made specifically to be worn with elevator shoes. Check the length and hem width in the size chart, and style up naturally from your feet to your waistline.
Summary
To make elevator shoes look natural, three things matter: hem length, hem width and waist position.
The basics are a single break with the hem resting lightly on the heel, a standard to slightly wide hem matched to the bulk of the shoe, and a high waist to raise the waistline.
The higher the lift, the longer the hem; centre-creased slacks suit leather shoes, while straight or tapered trousers suit sneakers.
If you are unsure about length, set the hem while wearing your elevator shoes, or choose the dedicated trousers whose length and hem width you can check in the size chart.
Products featured in this article
Style-Up 100% Cotton Denim no32| 100% cotton. A basic denim that works with sneakers and loafers alike
Style-Up High-Waist Slacks no33| Centre-creased slacks that pair well with leather shoes and loafers
Style-Up High-Waist Straight Denim no34| A wider hem that matches the bulk of sneakers and boots
Style-Up Striped Slacks no35| Stripes that work from smart casual to the commute
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