Stiletto heels, sandals, biker boots, spool heels, ballet flats… women have an amazing variety of footwear to play with and experiment with. With so many options though, it can be difficult to figure out which shoes best enhance an outfit. To determine the perfect footwear choice and complete your next outfit, start by examining the color and style of your clothes. Also, consider the context in which you will show off your new look, as some shoes can make an outfit more elegant, while others make it lose its value.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Think about Color
Step 1. Choose neutral colors
Some neutral-toned outfits are ideal when combined with shoes of the same shade. For example, a little black dress can look fabulous with the right pair of black heels. If you plan on wearing the same color from head to toe, however, you should be ready to add accessories that add a pop of color or brightness to your outfit, to prevent it from looking too dull.
Step 2. Make a muted color outfit stand out with bright colored shoes
Sometimes, an excess of neutral shades can make your look look sloppy. A lively shoe is a quick way to remedy the situation. Try some bright red pumps with a white shirt and a black pencil skirt, or a pair of light green pumps with brown pants and a beige shirt.
Step 3. Dull a bright outfit with a neutral shoe
If your clothes are already flashy enough on their own, avoid footwear that will compete for attention. Next time you're wearing an electric blue sundress, pair it with a pair of white sandals instead of adding more blue pieces.
Step 4. When in doubt, opt for nude color
In order not to have second thoughts, choose a shoe in a nude tone, which is neutral because it blends with your skin tone. As it mimics the hue of the skin, it is also relatively easy to combine with other neutral colors, and more.
Step 5. Mix various shades of the same color
If you like the monochromatic look, you can wear it without problems, provided that its shades are different from each other. Try wearing pink pumps next time you're wearing a fuchsia t-shirt and jeans or chocolate brown boots with a long beige sweater.
Step 6. Combine the shoes with a soft color already present in your outfit
If you have a shirt, a pair of pants or a dress that is characterized by a geometry, choose a color from this piece of clothing and find the right shoes to match. For example, if you have a geometric patterned skirt that includes navy, sky blue, and teal, try wearing it with a pair of teal ballet flats or navy wedges.
Part 2 of 3: Consider the Outfit as a Whole
Step 1. Wear light shoes with light clothing
Choose sandals, pumps and thin heeled shoes next time you put on an airy sundress or decide to go out with a sleeveless blouse and a pair of Capri pants. Sturdier shoes, like boots or platform shoes, often feel heavy and disproportionate when paired with lighter fabrics and more airy styles.
Step 2. Fit heavier shoes with heavier materials
Throw on a pair of boots or chunky heeled shoes and pair them with warm winter sweaters and tweed jackets. If both the material and the structure of a dress are bulky, a strong and solid shoe will fit the garment better than a noticeably lighter shoe.
Step 3. Choose decorated shoes to liven up a simple outfit
The footwear features a variety of textures, geometries and adornments. A quick way to add a bit of visual interest to a simple look is to find a shoe with an extra decorative touch that acts as a focal point. A pair of floral print ballet flats can add a lively touch to a combination of a pair of very common jeans with a top while a pair of wedges with a ruffled front can add an air of playfulness to a simple sundress.
Step 4. Make an eye-catching outfit more subtle with a simple pair of shoes
If your look already includes lively geometry, such as polka dots or a leopard print, don't wear shoes that will compete with clothes. Rather, opt for a solid color shoe and gravitate towards styles lacking extra adornments.
Step 5. Resist the urge to overdo the accessories
A good match appears coordinated and well organized, but too much cripples quickly. For example, a pair of blue pumps matches perfectly with a blue bag, but you should avoid adding a blue belt, heavy blue jewelry and a blue hat. Similarly, you can wear pink beaded earrings if your shoes are decorated in the same color, but you should think twice before adding a bag, hat and large ring with the same pink decoration.
Step 6. Find out where to draw the line between being sexy and being vulgar
If your outfit sports several inches of leather, you should choose a discreet shoe and opt for something moderately sexy instead of overly flashy. A look consisting of stiletto heels closed with a strap and 10 cm high and a strapless minidress is excessive, while the same minidress can look appropriately sexy with an open front shoe with a very low heel.
Part 3 of 3: Know Your Context
Step 1. Take a look at the calendar
Most shoes can be worn all year round, although some are appropriate for specific seasons.
-
The boots are perfect in the fall and winter, with some "appearances" in the spring. They are not good at all for the summer though.
Complement Your Outfit With the Right Shoes Step 13Bullet1 -
Sandals are ideal in spring and summer. You could also wear them in early autumn, when temperatures still allow it, but you should put them aside once winter makes its appearance.
Complement Your Outfit With the Right Shoes Step 13Bullet2
Step 2. Put classic shoes in the office
Thin high heels and strappy shoes are usually considered sexy and are not suitable for professional environments. Closed front heels, low heels, ballet flats, and boots are better options.
Step 3. Try to live up to events
If you have a versatile outfit, like a little black dress, and decide to wear it for a reception or other formal event, make sure the shoe makes it elegant. Avoid casual shoes, like cute adorned ballet flats, and opt for grown-up shoes, like black or silver pumps.
Step 4. Also avoid dressing too finely in certain environments
In fact, you shouldn't wear a decidedly elegant shoe in a casual context. For example, if you want to make a brown pencil skirt more informal, choose plain sandals or ballet flats instead of stilettos.
Advice
- Know your limits. If you stumble every time you wear shoes with heels that exceed 3 cm, do not wear higher-heeled shoes, even if they are perfect for your outfit. There are always alternatives. While you can't create the exact look you want, it's still better than spending the whole day or evening without stability on your own feet.
- The choice of color is the main factor when it comes to choosing the right shoe. Avoid color combinations that make one color of the outfit stand out too much. Instead, try to balance the look by mixing neutral shades and more vibrant colors.
- Buy shoes at the end of the day, when your feet are already a little swollen. If a pair of shoes makes you comfortable even if your feet really hurt, you know they will be comfortable even after wearing them for a whole day.
- In order to match the right shoes to your outfit, you need to have a solid understanding of the overall style of the look. Flashy footwear can spice up a match and make it look too loaded and messy, but it can spice up a simple one. A chunky shoe looks chunky and out of place with a spaghetti strap dress, but it might be ideal if you plan on pairing it with a chunky sweater.
