How to Wear Colored Shoes

June 13, 2017
3 Outfits with Colored Shoes
As much as I love a neutral colored shoe, I also love making an outfit pop with colored shoes.  The simple, small addition of colored shoes can sometimes take a very normal outfit and make it special, give it life, or add a touch more personality.  I also love how colored shoes can allow you to do that without being overwhelming, but they can also make an already bold outfit extra bold.

Today I want to talk about how to wear colored shoes and share three different guidelines you can use to incorporate colored shoes into your outfits!

I saw this pair of yellow heeled sandals at Sole Society (found HERE) and my heart jumped in excitement!  The color is subtler than something like bright red or cobalt, yet it’s still fun and adds life to outfits.  I also really like that the heel is wooden and thicker, as I feel that makes it easier to incorporate into day looks without looking too fancy.  I had so many outfit ideas with them, which is what inspired me to write this post on how to wear colored shoes!

(Sole Society sent me the shoes as a gift, but this post is not sponsored by them, nor was I asked or required to post about the shoes.)  


SIZING + COMFORT
I’m normally size 8.5 to 9 in shoes and wear these in size 9.  I haven’t walked a lot in them yet, only mild walking with mostly standing or sitting.  That said, the thicker block heel and lower height is nicer on your feet, but I think using insoles to provide padding would also go a long way.  Find the shoes HERE.

Onto the outfits!


striped top + grey jeans + yellow shoes
striped bell sleeve top + grey jeans + yellow heels
striped bell sleeve top + grey skinny jeans + yellow shoes
white + grey + yellow

All Neutrals + Pop of Color

Colored shoes are a fun and easy way to add more life to an outfit full of neutrals.  Take any outfit with neutrals and add any color shoe as it suits your taste.  I do this often with outfits full of black and white, such as HERE and HERE (first outfit with cobalt blue pumps).  That pop of color isn’t overwhelming but still allows you to put your own stamp on an outfit.

The look above is one of my favorite neutral combos: grey, white, and tan.  While I could have done a shoe of any color, I like the subtlety of the yellow.  Plus, the white, grey, and yellow combo echoes my blog colors!

Shop for the Look:
Top: Kohl’s (similar, similar)
Jeans: Nordstrom (similar)
Necklace: Nordstrom (exact)
Shoes: c/o Sole Society (exact)
Bag: Nordstrom (exact)

striped tee + printed skirt + colorful shoes
striped tee + floral print skirt + colorful shoes
striped tee + floral print skirt + yellow heels
Color From the Print
Another really easy way to style your colored shoes is to pair them with a print that has that color in it.  You can put it together from two starting places: a) start with the print, choose any color in the print, and wear shoes in that color, or b) start with the shoes and then find a printed item that has that color in it.  The print will do the work for you of tying the look together!

The skirt above has yellow in it and works really cohesively with the yellow sandals.  I could have worn a top in any neutral color or a top in another color from the skirt.  But I wanted to add a little more interest, so I chose a neutral based top with a stripe print for some pattern mixing.

Shop for the Look:
Tee: H&M (exact–wearing S, similar, similar, similar)
Skirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Necklace: c/o Sela Designs (similar)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact–wearing size M))
Shoes: c/o Sole Society (exact)
Bag: c/o Sole Society (exact, exact)

magenta top + turquoise jewelry + yellow shoes
magenta + turquoise + yellow
magenta top + turquoise and yellow accessories
yellow heels + magenta top + turquoise accessories + white
Combining Colors
This last option requires a willingness to experiment with colors, but you can create a really fun outfit by combining two or three or more colors.

If you’re unsure of what colors might look good together or if you want more inspiration for colors you could combine, try some of the color combos in THIS article.

In the outfit above, I combined a magenta top with my yellow shoes.  I could have stopped there and used a gold necklace, but instead I continued my way roughly 1/3 around the color wheel and added a turquoise necklace.  I have LOVED those colors together for years and years and years, and continue to love the combo to this day.  Mixing colors like this creates such fun and vibrant outfits!

Shop for the Look:
Top: Nordstrom (exact–wearing S, similar, similar)
Jeans: LOFT (exact–wearing 28P, similar–I wear size 6)
Necklace: Nordstrom (similar, similar)
Shoes: c/o Sole Society (exact)
Bag: DSW (similar, similar, similar)


Which is your favorite way to incorporate colored shoes?  Which way will you wear next?

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