The right shoes have the ability to make or break an outfit. Choosing the wrong shoes can mean your carefully chosen outfit will look complete, rather than complimented. My rule is that shoes need to be fun. And, this means you can play around with different textures and styles to bring a personal flair to even the most ordinary outfits. I like to play around with busier shoes for simple outfits and also elegant shoes for casual clothing choices.

But, having said that, when pairing shoes with an outfit goes wrong, your clothing selection can look unbalanced and out of sorts. The easiest way to see if your outfit is going according to plan is to take a look in the mirror. If your outfit seems a little too chaotic then you need to re-look your choices. Remember the perfect clothing choice is all about balance.

“You can never take too much care over the choice of your shoes. Too many women think that they are unimportant, but the real proof of an elegant woman is what is on her feet” – Christian Dior

Choosing the right shoes is more of a balancing act than an actual science but I can help you. Here are a few of the most important things you need to keep in mind when choosing the right shoes for your outfit

The Occasion

The first step to finding the right shoes is to think of the occasion. Always remember that even the prettiest of shoes might not be right for every occasion. Evening shoes which feature delicate embellishments or which have bold features do not fit into the office workspace. The same can be said for flip-flops at a formal event.

A great rule of thumb for choosing the right shoes is that ballet flats or casual loafers work perfectly with outdoorsy events and family days. Evening dinners and work functions call for simple pumps or a pair of plain comfortable heels. When putting the outfit together you need to keep in mind what the day’s event will entail. Family picnic day in the park is probably not the right time to show off your new heels.

“A woman can carry a bag, but it is the shoe that carries the woman” – Christian Louboutin

Seasonal Shoes

Just like fruits and veggies, shoes are seasonal. Summer sandals won’t be the best choice when going out for dinner in winter. Similarly, your winter knee-high boots may not be the best choice for summer cocktails with the girls. I always tell my clients that their wardrobe choices would need to evolve with the weather. Choosing a few classic clothing items can make this even easier. If you’re dressing for a night out in summer, a classic Little Black Dress can be paired with pretty summer sandals. The same dress can be paired with ankle boots or closed pumps when the weather turns cooler.

Shoe Colours

Your shoe colour is just as important as the choice of shoe. If you’re looking for versatility, then you cannot go wrong with a pair of plain black shoes. But, if you’re looking to add a pop of excitement to your wardrobe choices then colourful shoes are the way to go. Here’s my simple guide to shoe colour choices:

  • Black shoes work well with most colours barring a few earthy tones and pastels. To make black shoes work with these colours, make sure that the outfit features black elsewhere.
  • Cream shoes are always a winner with pastels, whites and neutral colours.
  • Tan shoes will bring any beige and light earthy toned outfits to life instantly.
  • Silver shoes are perfect when paired with purples, whites, and blacks.
  • Brown shoes work best with oranges, browns, greens, and beiges.
  • Grey shoes are best paired with reds, yellows, and blues.
  • Gold shoes look stunning with reds, whites, and greens.
  • White shoes are perfect for pairing with bright clothing choices as well as pastels.

When you book a fun one-on-one consult with me we take a look at the perfect outfit choices for you from head to toe, and this includes shoes. Don’t hesitate to contact me today.