So, you’ve treated yourself to your dream pair of statement shoes. Now, you’re faced with a dilemma: how to make them work with what you already own. If you’ve ever wondered what shoe color goes with what sort of outfit, we’re here to offer some ideas to help get you started. Since you’ll be building an outfit around your shoes, you want to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward, so to speak.
At the end of the day, there are no hard and fast rules that you must abide by. Style is personal, and wearing what makes you happy is priority one. In case you’re stumped on where to start, though, we’ve rounded up a few colors that really lend themselves to being paired together. So, if you’re ready to break out those blue suede shoes, we’ve got some ideas to help you figure out the rest of your ensemble. Check them out below and shop a few of our favorite statement shoes worth showing off along the way.
Goes best with pink, orange, black and white, neutrals, and navy blue. Pro tip: Red shoes are a great way to add a punch to a more casual outfit, but consider avoiding an outfit that feels too racy; fire-engine footwear offers enough sizzle factor on its own. Stay away from monochrome too; red on red can feel like overkill.
Goes best with blue, white, earth tones, red, and yellow. Pro tip: Orange shoes look great with tawny neutrals, tans, and beiges—they provide a warm canvas from which the orange can really pop. If you’re wearing lighter shades, mix in some brown accessories for a cool ’70s vibe. While color-blocking may feel like overkill for some, if you’re up to the challenge, try power-clashing by styling them with green or purple.
Goes best with any shade of blue, black and white, and green. Pro tip: Although purple and yellow are complementary colors, the two together can be a bold move (shoutout to the L.A. Lakers). More buttery tones look great with other warm colors such as red or orange. For neon yellow, consider cooler colors or a simple black or white.
Goes best with brown, black, blue, neutrals, and yellow. Pro tip: Green shoes are surprisingly versatile. Just try to keep red and orange out of the equation, unless you’re invested in making a high-saturated statement.
Goes best with yellow, red, neutrals, brown, and white. Pro tip: Skinny jeans with a pair of blue shoes a shade lighter or darker than the denim is a no-fail look. (This time of year, finish it off with a fisherman’s sweater in ivory or beige.) It’s also worth noting that navy is like black’s punchier cousin; it adds a bit of color but at minimum risk.
Goes best with neutrals, navy, pink, and green. Pro tip: For a surprisingly chic combination, look to pink and red. Try a pair of fuschia-colored pumps with a red blazer and pink button-down. Since pink is a rich hue, it also pairs well with simple neutrals.
Goes best with white, red, purple, neutrals, indigo, and black (for silver). Black, red, white, emerald, royal blue, and burgundy go best with gold. Pro tip: Whether you opt for silver or gold shoes, it’s best to stay away from bold prints and colors for the rest of your outfit and let the footwear, ahem, shine.
