Some women have a bad reputation for being obsessed with shoes. With all the styles and colors that are endless to choose from, who can blame a woman for filling her wardrobe with shoes? This guide will teach you how to choose shoes to wear with an outfit, no matter what color, event, or season. Start with step one below.
Step
Method 1 of 9: Considering Color
Step 1. Choose colored shoes that match the outfit instead of turning them off
- Wear black heels or flats when wearing a brightly patterned, light-colored dress. If you want to wear a more complex shoe, some people will find it overkill. However, you can still wear whatever shoes you like as long as there are no dress codes or health and safety issues to consider.
- Consider neutral or 'nude' heels, or flats if your evening top is sparkling.
Step 2. Add charm to a plain outfit by wearing brightly colored shoes
- Add a touch of color by pairing red heels with a brown or black dress.
- Try funky patterned shoes, like crocodile skin, if you're wearing a simple blouse and neutral pants/jeans.
Step 3. Choose a color for a piece of clothing if you are wearing colorful elements
For example, if you're wearing a geometric patterned blouse with purple and pink tones, consider dark purple shoes.
Step 4. Avoid overly bold color matching
Don't wear one solid color from head to toe. If you're wearing a blue blouse and blue skirt, avoid blue shoes (unless you're doing it on purpose). Remember that fashion cops don't really have the right to fine you!
Step 5. Consider different nuances
If you're wearing a pink blouse, try rose-colored heels or flats instead of going for the same shade of pink.
Step 6. Choose standard colors for professional styles
- Wear brown or black leather shoes in a conservative office environment. You can also wear gray and navy.
- Wear other colored shoes only if your office is not too strict and has a casual dress code.
Method 2 of 9: Choosing the Right Shoes for a Season
Step 1. Be flexible in the spring
You can choose winter and summer shoes throughout the spring.
Step 2. Cheer up appearance in summer
Summer is the time to have fun with sandals and espadrille. Make sure you don't wear socks.
Step 3. Hold yourself in the fall
You can still be a little flexible as you welcome winter, but avoid sandals and espadrille. Both of these footwear don't go well with heavier fabrics and fall colors.
Step 4. Choose practical shoes for the winter
Choose slides, flats and bots. Make sure your heels are wider to prevent slipping.
Method 3 of 9: Choosing Heels
Step 1. Pair your stilettos with clothes that help lengthen your calves, such as pencil pants and slim shorts
Stilettos create the illusion of more length, so your calves look slimmer and more attractive.
Step 2. Choose low heels, such as kitten heels, for a more versatile option
These shoes are perfect for the office while still making sure you're still feminine enough to walk around at night.
Step 3. Avoid heels with ankle straps, or T-straps if your calves are short
Straps also tend to easily make the calves appear shorter.
Step 4. Avoid heels that are taller than ten cm if you have short calves
Very high heels make the calf muscles work more, so the calves look fatter/shorter.
Step 5. Wear oval or square toe heels if you have big feet
Avoid slim heels, which can make your feet look even bigger.
Step 6. Avoid high heels or sexy, lace up in a professional setting (depending on your job)
Low to medium heels are fine, but keep it conservative. The best option is low-heeled shoes with closed toes.
Step 7. 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.
Step 8. Try wearing heels with casual outfits to add style to your everyday outfit
Wear stilettos with jeans and a well-fitting t-shirt to instantly look cool.
Method 4 of 9: Choosing Sandals
Step 1. Choose a pair of low heeled sandals for a feminine yet versatile look
Wear these sandals with a skirt or pants of any length.
Step 2. Consider strappy, high-heeled sandals the next time you wear a little black dress or similar evening wear
High-heeled sandals make your calves look long due to the heel element as well as the extra leather shown at the top of the foot.
Step 3. Wear flip-flops for a short-term casual vibe
Limit it to only when you go to the beach, or, if needed, while doing errands.
Step 4. Wear sandals for a walk in casual clothes
Shorts, capris, and old dresses are effective for sandals like this, but avoid wearing them with longer clothes.
Step 5. Use heeled sandals to make casual clothes look more beautiful
For example, try matching a pair of kitten-heel sandals with a casual denim skirt and a fitted blouse for a cool look.
Method 5 of 9: Choosing Flat Shoes
Step 1. Wear flats with knee-length or above-the-knee skirts, capris, or Bermuda shorts
- Avoid flats with long skirts. In many cases, though not always, flats with a maxi skirt can make a woman look unappetizing.
- If you wear ballet shoes with a mid-skirt or maxi, consider ballet shoes with a slightly higher heel.
Step 2. Choose decorative flats to enhance the look
Choose something less vibrant for casual occasions.
Step 3. Also avoid flats with skinny pants unless your hips are narrow
Otherwise, your calves will look disproportionate.
Step 4. Avoid casual flats in the office or other professional situations
Choose formal shoes, such as simple flats made of black or brown leather.
Step 5. Choose flat shoes for some semi-formal events
For example, try wearing decorative flats with a beautiful sundress for garden parties or other outdoor events.
Method 6 of 9: Selecting a Bot
Step 1. Wear boots only in fall and snow/rain
The boots show a colder picture and prevent air from flowing into the feet, resulting in warmer feet.
Step 2. Wear short-heeled, skinny boots with a boot-cut look or straight-legged pants/dark-wash jeans
The heel of these boots creates a sexy look and helps lengthen the calves, while the style makes them perfect for heavy fabrics.
Step 3. Consider wide-heeled fashion boots when you want to look cool but are afraid of slipping on slippery roads
Even if these boots don't extend your calves like skinny-heeled boots, your outfit will still look cool.
Step 4. Choose a pair of fashion boots that don't cut the calves at their thickest
Knee-high boots are especially effective because most women's calves are narrowest just below the knee. Knee-high fashion boots are also great to wear with skirts and dresses.
Step 5. Wear snow boots for snowy weather and rain boots for rainy weather
Switch to bot mode when you are comfortable in the room.
Method 7 of 9: Choosing Oxford Shoes and Loafers
Step 1. Consider a pair of oxfords or loafers for the office
Loafers are suitable for all professional situations because of their conservative style. Loafers also go well with pants in addition to dresses and skirts.
Step 2. Choose a low heeled loafer to wear with a knee-length or A-line pencil skirt
Step 3. Wear low-heeled flats or oxfords with trousers
Method 8 of 9: Choosing Sneakers and Athletic Shoes
Step 1. Wear athletic shoes designed for your sport
If you are a runner, wear running shoes with a supportive insole.
Step 2. Pair athletic shoes with athletic wear
If you have sportswear, wear sports shoes.
Step 3. Choose low-heeled sneakers for non-athletic outfits
Avoid running shoes or other athletic shoes for everyday use.
Step 4. Wear tucked-in pseudo-athletic shoes with an open back, for everyday errands or gardening
Method 9 of 9: Using the Skippy the Shoe Finder Service
Step 1. Shoot the color you want to match
Step 2. Go to www.skippysearch.com and upload the photo
Step 3. Skippy will search over 30,000 shoes to find the perfect match
Tips
- Always be comfortable with what you are wearing. Be someone who enjoys trying new things and taking risks, but don't overdo yourself in a situation.
- Measure your shoe size and buy shoes when the day is coming to an end. Feet will swell throughout the day, so make sure you choose shoes that fit at all times.
- Seasonal approach: when wearing jeans, wear taller boots; otherwise, wear lower boots for winter, fall and spring. Wear sandals/slippers in summer as well as spring.
- 7.5 cm high heels may look attractive, but if you can't walk while wearing them, this good impression will be lost. Wear shoes that make you look comfortable and confident to enhance any look.
