No matter the season, a colorful shoe can create a statement with any outfit. They’re fun and interesting and they make your outfit feel new and exciting. I find myself leaning into colorful shoes come spring and summer the most.
But my fall and winter shoe collection is definitely growing and in colorful ways. Choosing a more colorful shoe for your outfit can definitely make getting dressed and putting an outfit together a tad more challenging. Neutral shoes just make it so much easier.
However, it can be a fun way to freshen up your looks and add a pop of color to your outfit. Sharing some of my favorite tips and tricks on how you can wear colorful shoes and create fashion-forward outfits with ease.
How To Wear Colorful Shoes
If You’re Nervous, Go All Over Neutral
I think the BEST way to try this trend out is to let the rest of your outfit be more neutral. No matter if it’s summer or winter, this trick works. Want to wear red shoes but not sure what to pair with them? Any neutral would work. A white dress, all black, a cream ensemble. Let the shoes do the talking! This is a favorite look from summer in red shoes.
Let Denim Be A Neutral
I really can’t think of any color that wouldn’t work with denim. And really any wash. Light, dark, whatever, denim can be neutral. So take your above tip and add in denim and you’re good to go with a colorful shoe. Purple shoes? Great, add them with your favorite denim and a cream sweater, done!
Use The Colorwheel Trick
This trick is one I use often and swear by. There are two rules of thumb for coordinating colors when it comes to looking at a color wheel. The first is to choose colors opposite or across, if you will, from the color you’re trying to coordinate.
If you look at a color wheel and let’s say we look at blue, you’ll take the color directly across from it or the opposite on the wheel, which is orange. This means you can wear orange, tans, cognac, anything in that realm would work!
The second method is going to the left and right of that color to find color-coordinating ideas. Using blue again, you can lean into lighter or darker blues, greens or purples. This will give you more of a color blocking or monochromatic effect.
Haven’t looked at a color wheel as of late? Just Google it! When thinking of the color wheel tricks, a few examples could include wearing red shoes and pairing them with a hot pink dress. These are next to each other on the colorwheel and make a bold statement when worn together.
One of my latest color obsessions has been a light blue paired with a warm brown which is exactly how I would use that first method of going across the wheel. You can see that combination in action here.
Today’s Look
Today’s look is a great example of keeping things neutral. I went with my straight leg jeans paired with a hunter green snakeskin bootie. They are so fun and different, but since they’re a bit darker they’re less scary to style! Added a graphic tee and blazer.
The blazer itself has some earthy tones running through along with a bit of purple (opposite the color wheel from green!) so it works nicely with the green boots.
Another way I’d style these fun booties is by pairing them with purple. I think this could be so fun with a purple sweater and denim, or even a purple dress.
This is opposite the color wheel of green and would be a fun combo to try. Don’t believe me? Look at the queen of colorful outfits, Blair Edie, wear this combination here.