Style Guide: What Color Shoes To Wear With A Red Dress
Striking and elegant, fierce and alluring — the red dress has always been, and will remain, a classic choice for making a bold statement. This enduring appeal stems from red’s rich history and timeless quality — representing power and passion, the hue possesses a universal allure.
While generally easy to wear, red is — at the end of the day — a bold color. Styling it requires a bit of extra thought, especially when it comes to accessories. The right pair of shoes can enhance the dress’s striking beauty, while the wrong choice can distract or clash. In this article, we focus on how to choose the perfect shoes to complement a red dress, along with extra styling tips.
Understanding The Red Dress
The red dress is a broad term that can refer to any type of dress in any shade of red. To better navigate the red palette and find the shade that suits you best, we can classify red into two main categories: cool reds and warm reds.
Cool reds have blue undertones, which give them a slightly purple tint. These hues are rich, deep and often associated with sophistication. Shades like burgundy, crimson and wine-red fall into this category and work well for individuals with cool skin tones.
Warm reds, on the other hand, have orange undertones that give them a more vibrant appearance. These fiery shades, such as tomato, scarlet and maroon, are bold and eye-catching, complementing those with warm skin tones.
This classification can help you choose the right shade of red to wear throughout the year. For instance, warm reds tend to stand out beautifully in spring and summer, while cool reds are more suited for fall and winter, aligning with the season’s darker mood.
The same principle applies when dressing for different occasions. A bright red dress might be perfect for a weekend brunch, while a deeper tone like burgundy lends itself well to a fancy evening. If you are attending a wedding, it is important to keep cultural sensitivities in mind — red can carry different meanings across various cultures and traditions.
Classic Shoe Colors That Always Work
Classic neutral shoes will always complement a stunning red dress, though the effect can depend on your skin tone and the exact shade of red. Here are some of the most common options.
Black Shoes
Arguably the most versatile neutral in existence, black shoes will complement a red dress in any shade. Since a red dress makes a powerful statement on its own, black shoes help anchor the look. Their sophisticated aura lends them well to both casual and formal evening wear.
Nude/Beige/Off-White Shoes
Keep the attention on your dress by choosing beige, nude or off-white shoes. Less striking than black footwear, they are just as versatile and flattering on a wide range of skin tones. Suitable for both day and night, they are a foolproof option that pairs well with most shades of red — a timeless combination that works all year round.
White Shoes
The crispness of white shoes goes surprisingly well with bright shades of red, like cherry and tomato. They add a refreshing touch to an already-vibrant look, creating a combination that is especially perfect for spring and summer.
Silver Shoes
Silver shoes are another versatile option. As a cool-toned metallic, they pair beautifully with cooler reds, such as burgundy and crimson. The understated elegance of silver shoes helps accentuate the striking quality of a red dress, making them an appropriate pairing for soirées, weddings or any occasion where you want to leave a lasting impression.
Gold Shoes
In contrast, gold shoes with their warm undertones complement warmer reds more naturally. This regal combination is ideal for special occasions, girls’ nights out and formal dress codes.
Unconventional Color Pairings
If you’re feeling bolder, there are other ways to style a red dress too. Whether it’s a monochromatic look or unexpected color combinations, you can experiment to find out what feels and looks right with your red dress.
Red Shoes
Go full monochromatic by pairing your red dress with matching red shoes. The shades don’t need to be an exact match — lighter or darker tones, or even textured red footwear, can add depth to the overall look, creating a distinctive ensemble that still feels cohesive.
Brown Shoes
This neutral hue may not be the first that comes to mind when styling a red dress, but it works surprisingly well. Red and brown form a harmonious combination that exudes luxury and sophistication. Opt for darker shades of brown to add depth and gravitas to your red dress.
Animal-Print Shoes
Switch up your red dress look with animal-print shoes. Leopard and snake prints match up to the bold, powerful aesthetic of red perfectly. To avoid visual clash, stick to a solid-colored red dress without additional prints or patterns.
Pink Shoes
Both pink and red are often associated with feminine, romantic energy, which makes them complement each other perfectly. Experiment with this bold combination by choosing pink shoes to make an impression, or simply embrace it when you are feeling playful with your ensemble.
(Related read: Bag Colors That Match Well With Everything)
Seasonal & Occasion-Based Recommendations
Spring/Summer
Bold and vibrant, a red dress is perfect for the warm, sun-filled months. To reflect the cheerful, carefree and light-hearted spirit of the season, pick bright reds with orange and pink undertones over their deep jewel-toned counterparts.
From a casual sundress to a glamorous maxi-dress, a wide range of dress styles would work well for spring and summer. To stay comfortable in the heat, choose lightweight and breathable materials like cotton jersey and linen. When it comes to the design of the dress, opt for loose, flowy silhouettes that will keep you feeling cool throughout the day.
Classic summer footwear, like strappy sandals, slip-on mules and platform heels, are effortlessly stylish matches for a red summer dress. More refined options, such as pointed-toed pumps, ballet flats and leather loafers, will work well for both work and play. Mesh shoes are both trendy and practical on hot days, while sneakers will bring a relaxed playfulness to an impactful scarlet dress. To stand out, pair your red dress with shoes of an outstanding, contrasting color — for instance, red and lime green is a surprising yet delightful combination.
Fall/Winter
Wearing a red dress during the fall and winter months can feel like an act of rebellion against the cold and the gloom. While bright chili and cherry reds would still work well for cold-weather dressing, deeper reds with purple undertones would better bring out the mood of the season. Burgundy and maroon are understated and sophisticated, subtly reflecting the power and vibrancy of red. A rich jewel-toned red is refined and statement-making at the same time.
Most sensible, winter-friendly shoe styles — including lace-up leather shoes like Oxfords and Derbys, loafers and boots — would match well with red dresses. Versatile and feminine ballerinas, Mary Janes and pumps are also fabulous options when styling a red dress. Simply wear them with socks and leggings to keep out the cold.
When it comes to picking a shoe color to go with your red dress, black is undoubtedly the most failproof and effortless choice. To add subtle visual interest to your look, consider brown shoes as their warm tone will complement a red dress beautifully. Brown suede shoes, with their earthy hue and soft texture, are an especially great match for a red dress. If you want to make an impression, go bold with floral-print or animal-print shoes — they will certainly brighten up the dark winter days.
Holiday Season
Associated with festive cheer, the red dress is a style staple of the holiday season. The rule of thumb when styling a red dress for the holidays is to strike a balance. The goal is to create an outstanding look that captures the celebratory mood of the season, not to go over the top with attention-grabbing shine and statement details.
An elaborate red dress — such as a crystal-embellished or fully sequined piece — should be complemented by understated classic shoes, such as black stiletto pumps. Conversely, if you are wearing a red dress with no or minimal embellishments, you can pair it with striking statement shoes that are designed to catch eyes and turn heads.
Common Style Mistakes To Avoid
While the red dress is a timeless classic that is generally easy to style, it is still important to take note of some common mistakes that are often made when one tries to accessorize it.
Wearing head-to-toe red
As red is already a strong color to wear, dressing in red from head to toe can come across as too much. If you want to create a monochromatic look, be sure to choose shoes in a different shade of red than that of your dress. The result is a chic tonal look that is cohesive yet visually striking.
Mixing too many bold colors
Mixing bold colors is a recurring trend, but don’t go overboard. Stick to the 3-color rule, which states that your outfit should be made up of a dominant color, a secondary color and an accent color. Let your red dress be the dominant piece — choose a softer hue for your shoes and add color accents via your jewelry.
Mixing too many textures
Aside from colors, you should consider the texture of your shoes and whether it complements the texture of your dress. Incorporating too many textures into your outfit can have a jarring effect. Choose shoes and accessories with finishes that contrast with your dress but do not clash with it. For instance, crisp cotton will pair well with suede, but tweed and ruffles can look fussy when worn together.
Both classic and bold shoe colors can complement a red dress beautifully, but a few key considerations — such as the shade of your dress and the occasion you are dressing for — can help you make better choices. Breaking it down into warm reds and cool reds can make the decision-making process easier and more intuitive. It is also important to avoid common styling pitfalls, such as mixing too many bold colors or clashing textures. Steering clear of these will help you master the art of styling a red dress with ease.
We hope this guide has helped you gain a better understanding of how to navigate the bold and powerful red palette. If you are ready to put these tips into practice, start shopping for the perfect pair shoes to go with your red dress here.