Some women get a bad rap for having shoe obsessions. With all of the endless styles and colors of footwear, to choose from, who can blame a woman for having her closet stacked from top to bottom with shoes? This guide will teach you how to select shoes to wear with an outfit no matter what the color of the outfit, the occasion or season it is.
CONSIDER THE COLOR
- Wear simple black heels or flats when wearing a dress with a bright, bold pattern. If you were to wear a more complex shoe, it would be too overwhelming in the opinion of some. Obviously, you can wear whatever shoes you like provided there is no dress code to obey or health and safety issues to consider.
- Consider neutral or ‘nude’ heels or flats if you have on a sparkly evening top.
- Try a dressy shoe with a funky pattern, like alligator skin, if you have on a simple blouse and neutral trousers or jeans.
- Home in on a color found in your clothing if you’re wearing a multi-colored outfit. For instance, if you have on a blouse with a geometric pattern including the colors purple and pink, consider a deep purple shoe.
- Select standard colors for professional settings. Wear brown or black leather shoes at a conservative office. Grey and navy a red good choices for the office too.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHOES FOR THE SEASON
- Be flexible in the spring. You can choose both winter shoes and summer shoes as your wardrobe evolves through the spring.
- Lighten up in summer. Summer is the time to enjoy your sandals and espadrilles. Just be sure to enjoy them without socks.
- Pull back in the fall. You can still be somewhat flexible as your wardrobe transitions to winter, but avoid the sandals and espadrilles. They don’t match with the heavier fabrics and colors of autumn.
- Choose practical shoes for winter. Choose loafers, flats and boots. Make sure that your heels are wider to avoid slippage.
SELECTING HEELS
- Pair stiletto heels with clothing that already helps elongate your leg, such as pencil skirts and slim pants. The stiletto creates the illusion of further length, making your legs look even more slender and attractive.
- Choose low heels, like kitten heels, for a more versatile option. Kitten heels look appropriate for the office while still looking feminine enough for a night out.
- Avoid heels with ankle straps or T-straps if you have short legs. Straps also have a tendency to cut off the leg, making it look short.
- Avoid heels that are more than four inches tall if you have short legs. Ultra high heels make the calf muscle flex more, which leaves your leg looking less slender.
- Wear oval-shaped or square-toed heels if you have large feet. Avoid tapered or pointy heels that may end up making your feet look even larger.
- Wear heels for formal and semi-formal events. Go with closed-toe or open-toe pumps for banquets and other formal events. Opt for closed-toe, open-toe, or strappy heels for semi-formal occasions like cocktail parties.
- Try wearing your heels with casual clothes to add a touch of style to your everyday wear. Throw on a pair of stilettos with your jeans and fitted t-shirt to give the outfit an automatic style boost.
SELECTING SANDALS
- Select a pair of low-heeled sandals for a versatile, feminine look. Wear low-heeled sandals with virtually any skirt length or pant length.
- Consider a pair of strappy, high-heeled sandals the next time you wear your little black dress or similar evening wear. Higher heeled sandals make your legs look especially long, thanks to both the heel height and the extra skin showing on the top of your foot.
- Save flip-flops for short-term casual settings. Limit them to the beach or, if necessary, for running errands.
- Wear walking sandals with casual outfits. Shorts, capri pants, and some dress-down sundresses work with walking sandals, but avoid wearing them with dressier clothes.
SELECTING FLATS
- Wear flats with knee-length or above-the-knee skirts, capri pants or Bermuda shorts. Avoid flats with long skirts. In many cases, though not all, flats worn with maxi-skirts can make a woman look dowdy. If you do wear ballet flats with mid- to maxi-skirts, consider a less-than-flat ballet flat with a slightly elevated heel.
- Select a pair of decorative flats to dress an outfit up. Select a pair of less decorative flats for casual occasions.
- Also avoid flats with skinny pants unless you have narrow hips. Otherwise, you risk making your legs look disproportionate.
- Avoid casual flats at the office or in other professional settings. You may choose a formal style, such as a simple flat made of black or brown leather.
- Consider flats for some semi-formal occasions. For example, try matching a decorative pair of flats with a nice sundress for a garden party or other outdoor dress-up occasion.
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