To style slides, match the slide to the trouser hem. Straight-leg and cropped jeans show the whole shoe, so almost any slide works. Flared jeans cover the foot, so a platform or heeled slide keeps it visible. Leather or cork slides dress up skirts and dresses, and sporty rubber slides suit sweatpants. Skip slides with formal dress codes and for long walks.
Key Takeaways
- A slide is a backless, open-toed sandal, usually with one wide strap across the top of the foot.
- The hem decides the slide: narrow hems show the shoe, wide flared hems need a platform or heel to stay visible.
- Leather and cork slides read dressier; molded rubber or foam slides read sporty.
- Slides started as after-sport shoes: the Adidas Adilette, conceived in 1963, went on sale in 1972.
- The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) advises avoiding prolonged wear of flats and slides.
Slides are a popular casual shoe. Slides are easy to slip on and come in a wide range of materials and prices. The practical question is how to wear them, and whether they really go with everything.
Slides do not go with everything; formal dress codes are the main exception. Aside from formal wear, where the expected shoes are dress shoes, dress boots or heeled pumps, slides work for most casual settings.
Slides can be worn in any season, with socks in cooler months, so there are many ways to wear them. Below are three clothing categories, with practical ways to style each one with slides.
Jeans/Denim
Jeans are a timeless classic and just like slides, pair well with most things. There are several different cuts and styles of jeans though, so navigating them can be a bit daunting.
Here are three widely worn cuts, with practical tips for pairing each one with slides. For the sake of the shoe tips, these jeans cuts are mainly focused on the different types of pant legs.
Straight leg
Straight-leg jeans are one of the most widely worn cuts for both men and women, and slides pair easily with them.
Since they’re straight, and usually a little tighter around the ankle, they can show off your shoes even more. That is why bolder slides, in bright colors or with a logo strap, work well with this cut: nothing hides the shoe.
Flare jeans
These jeans are pretty much the opposite of the straight leg jeans. Flares, also called bell-bottoms, widen from the knee down. According to Wikipedia, they became fashionable for men and women in the 1960s and were often made of denim.
Even though there’s more material covering the ankle, a good way to show off your slides with these is by wearing either platform or heeled slides. This way your shoes can be better seen from the sides.
High-waisted
These are an interesting style, as they can have any type of pant leg: skinny, straight, baggy, flared, etc. That can make choosing slides look confusing, but the rule is simple: style for the leg shape, not the waist.
Just keep the other two basic cuts in mind (flare and straight) and go from there. High-waisted jeans are actually fantastic because they give you a lot of stylistic creativity.
Skirts/Dresses
Dresses and skirts, usually worn in warmer months, pair naturally with slides. They really help your feet breathe and are especially great if you wear them while on the beach.
The best way to wear slides with either skirts or dresses is to wear a dressier slide. In practice, that means a leather or cork slide. These materials look more polished than molded rubber and lift the outfit with no extra effort.
Athletic Wear
Slides began as after-sport footwear. According to the Adi & Käthe Dassler Memorial Foundation, the Adidas Adilette was conceived in 1963 as a shower sandal for footballers and went on sale in 1972, shortly before the Munich Olympics, so slides naturally suit athletic gear.
Sweatpants
Slide sandals and sweatpants are a long-established casual pairing. Almost any sporty slide works with sweatpants.
Because they have become so popular too, many people have adopted this look for everyday wear, instead of just for after athletic activities.
One widely copied relaxed look is a pair of grey slides and Adidas sweatpants, an outfit that is quick to put together and comfortable.
Which Slides Go With Which Pants?
The table below matches common bottoms with the slide styles that suit them.
| Bottom | Best slide type | Why it works | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight-leg jeans | Any slide, including bold colors | The narrow hem leaves the whole shoe visible | Hems that drag on the ground |
| Flared jeans (bell-bottoms) | Platform or heeled slides | Extra height lifts the foot out from under the wide hem | Flat slides, which disappear under the flare |
| High-waisted jeans | Depends on the leg: follow the straight or flared rule | The waist does not change how the hem meets the shoe | Choosing by waist rise alone |
| Skirts and dresses | Leather or cork slides | Natural materials look more polished | Chunky sports slides with dressy outfits |
| Sweatpants and joggers | Rubber or foam sports slides | Matches the athletic origin of both garments | Delicate heeled slides |
How Do You Wear Slides With Jeans Step by Step?
- Check the hem first. For straight and slim cuts the hem should sit at or just above the ankle; cuffing or cropping the jeans shows more of the slide.
- Match slide height to leg width. The wider the leg opening, the more height the slide needs. A flat slide suits straight legs; a platform suits flares.
- Pick a material for the setting. Rubber or foam for errands and the gym, leather or suede for dinners and casual offices.
- Balance the colors. Neutral slides (black, white, tan, grey) work with any denim wash; bright slides look best with plain jeans and tops.
- Look after the feet. Slides leave toes on show, so trimmed nails and clean feet complete the look.
Where Did Slides and Sweatpants Come From?
Both garments started in sport. According to Wikipedia, the first sweatpants were introduced in the 1920s by Émile Camuset, founder of Le Coq Sportif, as knitted grey jersey pants for athletes, and Adidas introduced a tracksuit combining sweatpants with a track top in 1964.
The modern sports slide followed a similar path. The Adi & Käthe Dassler Memorial Foundation says the idea for the Adidas Adilette arose in 1963, when a football manager raised a problem players faced in the shower after the final whistle; the sandal, with suction pads on the sole to stop slipping, reached the market in 1972. Wikipedia’s Adidas article notes that the Adilette was designed as an after-sport slide but was quickly adopted outside sport.
Which Slide Materials Should You Choose?
- Molded rubber or foam: water-friendly and easy to clean, in the spirit of the original after-sport slide. Best for pools, gyms and sweatpants.
- Leather or suede: the dressiest option, suited to skirts, dresses and smart-casual jeans.
- Cork footbeds: according to Wikipedia, cork is buoyant, elastic and impermeable, and Birkenstock is known for contoured cork footbeds that conform to the shape of the wearer’s foot.
- Platform or heeled soles: add height, which matters most with flared or wide-leg trousers.
When Should You Not Wear Slides?
Slides are not appropriate for formal dress codes. According to Wikipedia’s entry on formal wear, the expected shoes for formal occasions are dress shoes, dress boots or pumps for men and heeled dress pumps for women.
Slides are also not designed for long walks. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) advises people to avoid prolonged wear of flats and slides and suggests cushioned inserts for shock absorption. The APMA also says foot pain is never normal and persistent pain should be checked by a podiatrist. Shoppers who want a supportive pair can look for products carrying the APMA Seal of Acceptance, which is granted after review by APMA podiatrists.
Related Style Guides
For more footwear ideas, see this guide to the best shoes to wear in summer and this guide on how to find the best men’s sneakers. Readers who care about materials can read whether your sandals are truly sustainable, and those planning a trip can browse Birkenstock sandals to pack for a weekend away. For office outfits, see these fashion tips for a minimalist look at work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wear slides with jeans?
Yes. Slides work best with straight-leg, slim or cropped jeans whose hem sits at or above the ankle, because the whole shoe stays visible. With flared jeans, choose a platform or heeled slide so the hem does not swallow the foot.
Can you wear slides with socks?
Yes, slides with socks are a common casual and athletic look, especially with sweatpants in cooler weather. Plain white, grey or black socks keep the look clean, but the combination does not suit dressy outfits.
What slides look good with a dress?
Leather, suede or cork slides look best with dresses and skirts because natural materials appear more polished than molded rubber. Neutral colors such as tan, black or white match the most outfits.
Are slides bad for your feet?
Slides are fine for short wear, but the American Podiatric Medical Association advises avoiding prolonged wear of flats and slides and suggests cushioned inserts. Anyone with persistent foot pain should see a podiatrist.
Who made the first sports slide?
The best-known sports slide is the Adidas Adilette. According to the Adi & Käthe Dassler Memorial Foundation, the idea arose in 1963 as a shower sandal for footballers, and the Adilette went on sale in 1972.
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