Oh, there’s nothing quite as radiant, eye-catching, and elegant as a red dress. Whether you’re wearing a vermilion red frock to a friend’s wedding or rocking a cherry red number to a girls’ night out, you might be wondering what color shoes to wear with a red dress.
Whether you opt for the effortless nudes, blacks, and whites, the eye-catching reds, golds, and silvers, or the unexpected pops of color, you’re guaranteed to turn heads wherever you go.
1. Nude shoes for a simple, subdued effect
When you’re wearing a gorgeous red gown, chances are you want everyone’s eyes on the gown rather than the shoes, the accessories, or the makeup.
We’re pretty sure you’re not the only one because why would you want something to take away from the very, very expensive ensemble you’re wearing for the night?
We suggest you combine your dress with nude stiletto pumps such as Christian Louboutin Kate pointed-toe pumps or Jimmy Choo Romy pointed-toe pumps. Not only do these two options (and similar styles) make your legs look longer, but they’re also a surefire way to appear more polished and put-together.
Now, you can also opt for nude kitten heels, nude strappy sandals, or even nude mules, depending on the style of the dress and the event you’re attending.
2. Black shoes for timeless elegance
What color shoes to wear with a red dress when you’re going for a classic, timeless ’90s supermodel look? We’re positive you can’t go wrong with black shoes and black accessories, as long as you know how to style them (and wear them) with confidence.
We know that red and black tend to appear outdated, out of style, and (dare we say?!) old. But, we would argue that the “old-fashioned” energy doesn’t come from the colors you wear but rather the style.
When you wear a fiery red dress with black combat boots and a black leather jacket, we’re sure you can’t appear anything but on-trend. Also, when you wear a formal red frock with black strappy stilettos and a shimmering (or even patent leather) black bag, you’re bound to look like a Bond girl.
3. White shoes for a dash of summer
Red and white go together, whether we’re talking about fashion preferences or wine tastings.
When you’re wearing something as daring as a red dress, you don’t know how to keep everyone’s eyes off of you (white might sound strange, but not everyone wants the spotlight).
We’re bringing you a few tips and tricks, though! Wear your flowy, summery red dresses with white shoes.
Wear your floor-length red dresses with white strappy sandals, gold accents, and s straw hat for that “I own a boat!” moment.
4. Clear shoes for an on-trend ensemble
Whenever you’re wondering what color shoes to wear with a red dress because you’re bored of classics, opt for transparent stilettos or sandals such as the TikTok famous Amina Muaddi ones that are guaranteed to give you that Cinderella moment you’ve been dreaming of.
Transparent shoes are a great way to prevent choosing the wrong shade of nude when you’re going for that elongated look. When you choose the wrong foundation shade you end up looking like you don’t even know how to wear makeup. That’s the same thing that happens when you’re wearing the wrong shade of nude stilettos.
Other than the Amina Muaddi ones, you can also go with Aquazzura, Gianvito Rossi, or Christian Louboutin (or even Zara for a cheaper option).
5. Gold shoes for a red carpet-worthy attire
Whenever you catch a glimpse of celebrities’ red-carpet appearances, you can’t help but notice that most celebrities appear shiny, sparkly, and luxurious every single time.
While your favorite celebrities have an array of makeup artists, hairdressers, and stylists to thank for that, you have the world wide web to thank for bringing you their secrets on a… Gold platter!
What a segue to the color we’re talking about right now, right? Gold strappy stilettos, pointed-toe pumps, or even platform pumps are guaranteed to make your red dress red carpet-worthy.
And, when you’re not looking forward to breaking your ankles for an event, you can always opt for kitten heels or ballet flats.
6. Silver shoes for a sparkling vesture
Silver stilettos have the same history on the red carpet – from Hailey Bieber, the Hadid sisters, and Kendal Jenner, to Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, and Vanessa Hudgens, everyone’s rocking red and silver together.
Whether you’re attending an event, a wedding, or even a work thing, you’re guaranteed to wow everyone with something as simple as a red dress styled with silver stilettos and silver accessories.
While you can get silver shoes from pretty much every store, we have to suggest Badgley Mischka
Ultima crystal block-heel sandals or Prada Plateau metallic peep-toe platform pumps because they’re to die for.
7. Red shoes for a monochromatic moment
Who better to turn to for a monochromatic moment than our favorite fashion icon, Kate Middleton?
While Kate does style her red ensembles with nude or tan pointed-toe pumps, we haven’t forgotten about the time she wore a striking red Preen dress and red Gianvito Rossi pumps for a reconciliation ceremony with Canadian First Nations groups. Why wouldn’t you do the same?
Red-on-red can appear even more elegant and effortless than you might think, and monochromatic moments have been the talk of the town for quite some time.
Whether you go for red pumps (like Kate) or choose something even more daring, we’re sure you’re going to leave a mark on the event you’re attending. Whatever color of shoes you decide to go with, we hope you enjoyed our savvy suggestions.