Having tackled A Springtime Reflection on Going Forward, it’s time for really serious questions. Such as the best color of shoes to wear with the little black dress. This is a problem with many correct answers. The canonical answer is going to be black shoes. First image is form instyle.com.
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The reason is maintaining the same color of shoe and hem is going to make your legs look longer and you skinnier. Any break or line along your leg shortens the appearance of the leg and changing color is such a break. Assuming your little black dress is a mini dress, longer legs are the preferred look. Therefore black shoes and in particular black pumps with a low instep are ideal. The open instep of the pump makes the leg look longer still.
That said rules are made to be broken and there are plenty of ways to wear colored shoes with a black dress. In addition, it is currently fashionable to wear short boots with a short dress, or for that matter long boots. These ideally would also be in black. But there are other alternatives. Image is form instyle.com.
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Red shoes with a black dress draw the eye and give a sense of excitement. Because you are breaking the line of the leg with the color change I would not recommend hugely flamboyant red shoes such as boots with big gold buckles or shoes that lace up the leg (shortens the leg again) but red shoes can be a great look with a little black dress. Image is from Skunkboyblog.com.
Next good choice would be green shoes. The cool green shoes give a grounding effect. Little green booties might be ideal, particularly if you have long legs to begin with. And because green is not a bright color the shoes might have some detailing such as tassels, super high heels, or fancy toes. Image is from www.merricksart.com.
So now you ask: “What color shoes to wear with black lace dress?”
I would have to say the same principles apply. The black lace dress has a more complicated texture, so you might want to avoid strappy sandals. Avoid confusing the eye. But color? Use your judgement. A pump is probably best. Below, cloth pumps with a little frill on the toe set off this black lace dress just right.
You could wear yellow shoes with a little black dress. But they will really stick out so you better make sure they are really good looking shoes. I remember our assistant principal back in Fort Worth had a pair of 4-in high yellow patent leather pumps they were the sharpest shoes in the school. When she came walking down the hall, clicking her way, believe me everyone noticed. You could wear shoes like that with a little black dress. But it’s going to clash just a little bit so you might want to accessorize with a yellow purse, yellow earrings, yellow hair band, yellow belt or whatever is available. That would also probably be a better look if you are a brunette because bright yellow shoes with your blonde hair might cause color confusion. The fabulous below image is from Heroine in Heels.
You could wear cool blue shoes with your little black dress but it’s not an obvious choice. There are many many shades of blue and I think it would be best to try the shoes and dress on together and look at yourself in a full-length mirror to check for how your legs look how your feet look and how you feel about it. I won’t say you can’t do it but I think it’s less likely to work then red green or yellow. Image is from theMillenialMe.com
You could wear white shoes but I’m thinking it’s not going to look as good. The white shoes will likely clash with the dark hem of the dress and, not to sound like a broken record, but that’s going to shorten the leg’s appearance.The dramatic black of the dress could wind up being lessened by the clash with the shoes. I’m not saying you can’t do it but, like with the blue shoes, check the look in a full length mirror and chances of success are better. The photo below illustrates very clearly what I’m talking about with the color change making legs look shorter. Then again, the lateral sewn-down flounces of this dress shorten the look of the leg as well. Image is from PoorLittleItGirl.com.
On the other hand I think purple shoes with a little black dress could work quite well, especially if they were light purple shoes almost lavender. You want a contrast in value, or depth of color, so the shoes don’t look like they’re purple trying to be black. If the little black dress is a very simple one without a lot of frills and lace or straps, I think a medium purple pair of shoes might add just the right layer of detail and cleverness to pump up the outfit. Check in the full length mirror but this one seems more promising. Selena Gomez, below, is in black shorts and lavender pumps. Not my fave outfit but it really shows how pumps, with the low topline showing the instep, makes your legs look longer. Image is from Just Jared Jr.com.
There aren’t many orange shoes running around literally or figuratively but I think orange shoes would be up there with red shoes as one of the most desirable color contrast choices. If you can find them I think it would work especially well accessorized with a matching orange bag. Image is from Looktastic.com.
And then you might ask: “what color shoes with black cocktail dress?”
It’s still the same thing: could be any color, but with shoe type I do have a couple of thoughts. The cocktail dress is defined by two basic details: 1) short skirt, and 2) tight, revealing bodice. With these two things operating, the shoes can be showy or quiet, but probably not in the middle. You could use classic pumps; you could use Barbie-type strapless slides; you could use silver sandals, but I would not wear boots of any color or anything that rises above your ankle. And in the end, simple is best. That’s what Tolstoy wrote in his famous novel of manners and adultery, Anna Karenina: The simple dress, the simple shoe, that is the most stylish, the most elegant. Below, a simple cocktail dress and shoe in orange.
As for pink shoes with a little black dress, it would depend on the occasion. At a valentine’s party, for example, it might just seem so clever, but at a black tie event where everyone is dressed very conservatively, it might look like you don’t have the right color shoes and decided to cheat. The below outfit, from Fabulously Overdressed, is a good effort at the combination.
Final Thoughts on What Color Shoes to Wear with a Little Black Dress
The biggest advice I can give is always check your choice in a full length mirror. If you don’t have a full length mirror, buy one and put it up in your bedroom. You’ll be glad you did. It’s just better to know how you look before you walk out the door.
And that’s my little blog post on what color heels you might wear with a little black dress. Check in your mirror, and think it through. I know you’ll make the right choice. And thanks for reading.
Related Reading
From Footwear News: Anatomy of a high heeled shoe and all the parts you need to know.
From Wikipedia. The History of the Little Black Dress, or LBD. Invented by Coco Chanel in the 1920’s, the LBD changed fashion forever … and the rest, as they say, is history.
