Q&A: How to Match Shoes to a Dress
December 13th, 2007
Q: I’m planning to wear an all red plain wrap dress with belt. What shoes do I match it with?
A: When matching shoes to a dress, the rule is to match the feel of the shoe with the feel of the dress. Is your dress all about glamour? Find a glamourous shoe to match. Similarly, if you’re looking for shoes for a casual sundress, choose a pair of casual shoes. With your red wrap dress, you’re looking for a shoe that’s as classically sophisticated as your dress is.
What about color? You have a few different choices:
(1) Match your red dress with a pair of red shoes. But don’t match the shades exactly–it looks like you’re trying too hard.
(2) Add some sparkle with a pair of metallic shoes. The beauty of metallic shoes is their versatility, since they pair with outfits of any color. They’re also a smart answer to multicolored outfits without a dominant color.
(3) If you want to experiment, try pairing the wrap dress with a shoe with a shot of bright color, or a shoe with flashy details. Some of the best dress-shoe pairings have been those that are unexpected. Think: Carrie from Sex and the City.
Pictured: Ted Baker Baba Heels in Gunmetal | $150 at Zappos.
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69 Comments
1. Amy | April 25th, 2011 at 11:22 am
I have a wedding in may and I’m wearing a dark Byzantium color dress and I was wondering what color shoes would look good? Maybe a silver or black?
2. GG | May 16th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Hi there – I have a wedding to attend and I am planning to wear a pale -lavender color dress and it has clear and pewter stone-embellished neckline, what color shoe do you think will look good?
3. Amy | July 24th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
I have a tea length red formal dress with a white sash for a military ball. It is in late September, so what color shoes are best to pair with it?
4. eileen | September 10th, 2011 at 10:20 am
Hello, My son is getting married in Oct. Outside, 5:30 pm ceremony and inside reception. I’m 62, 5’4″, 120lbs. I bought a plum colour dress, tee length, it has a crepe jacket, long sleeves, it has a rhinestone closure. I’ve been told to wear silver shoes, but I’m not silver or gold person. I was thinking of black satin with a small rhinestone shoe clip. What do you think of brown satin with clip. Also I know the heel has to be a little thick, (grass).
Thanks for any advise.
5. sowparnika | November 23rd, 2011 at 10:11 am
i would like to knoe what kinda dresses suit high heel shoes!..
6. chinelo | November 26th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Hi, pls I have a dull peach A̶̲̥̅̊₪D̶̲̥̅̊ an olive green dress A̶̲̥̅̊₪D̶̲̥̅̊ don’t know the best colour options for shoes to go with the combibation?
7. Eleanor | December 30th, 2011 at 9:08 pm
I’ve bought a black singlet with ruffles and a high-waisted skirt that is brown but more of a copper colour, can I wear intense purple shoes with the outfit?
Thanks
8. Bose | January 10th, 2012 at 4:13 am
I want to wear a gold pump shoe with a gold bag but i do not know what colour of dress to wear.
9. Ruby | January 22nd, 2012 at 7:43 am
I have a light gray pumps. What color dress other than white can i wear with it? Its for a dinner next month.
10. loyce | January 29th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
hi trisha,
i admire you the u answer questions of us as friend,
keep it up my dear,
like you much with what you are doing
say’s loyce.
11. Dee | January 31st, 2012 at 9:15 am
I am wearing a Taupe dress with gold around the neck line and gold jewelry for a wedding what color shoes should I wear??
12. Trisha | February 3rd, 2012 at 12:26 am
Dee –
How about trying a pop of color with your shoes? Try a shoe in a warm color to complement the warmth of the taupe & the gold jewelry – say, orange or yellow? If you want a more safe option, however, you can always try a warm taupe or brown shoe….or even an exotic skin pattern (snakeskin perhaps?). Hope that helps!
Trisha
13. Evette Payne-Webster | February 10th, 2012 at 11:18 am
please could you help me with the answer to the colours
14. Duffy | March 29th, 2012 at 9:01 am
I am having a wedding in July. My bridesmaids dress is orange with lime green belt. What color shoe can I use to match.
15. Julia | April 9th, 2012 at 8:53 pm
Am wearing ablack and khaki coloredstriped maxi dress and was wondering about the color shoes to wear? was wondering if I could wear wedges in a warm coral almost a cross between red and orange? Too much pop?
16. phie de la | April 25th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
hi. i’m attending a wedding soon and i had a dress made based on the color scheme which was ash-gray knee length dress. it’s a lacey dress. my question is what shoes should i match with this dress? i’ve been trying to look the perfect shoes to match the dress.
17. Julie | May 7th, 2012 at 8:29 am
Hi, I have brought a gold metalic (H&M) dress for a july wedding reception. Please help me as to what colour shoes/sandles I can wear with it? The dress is knee length and has a pleated effect. I’m really struggling with a colour!
18. Janice | October 18th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
I have a navy dress with red and burgundy flowers with gold/brown leaves. What shoe should I wear with it?
19. Jessica | February 5th, 2013 at 4:24 pm
I was wondering how can you pair up converse with a white kind of Taylor swift dress.
I didn’t want to make the shoes SUPER fancy you see I am a Tom boy/Girly girl so why not live both worlds?