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.
Worry not, because we’ve got your back. Though it might sound strange, red dresses seem to be our weakness, our strength, the one thing we can’t function without whenever we’re wondering what to wear to an event.
Actually, celebrities across the world seem to be wearing them (just as much) with Zandaya, Taylor Swift, and Selena Gomez fashioning some of the most iconic red regalia of the season.
As a matter of fact, luxury designers appear to share the same sentiment with Valentino, Salvatore Ferragamo, Schiaparelli, and Givenchy featuring at least one breathtaking red gown during the 2023 runway shows.
And sure, you might not be looking for surefire ways to secure your spot on the best-dressed lists of the season. But, you might be looking to make a statement with a beautifully styled and accessorized scarlet frock.
Because of that, we’re bringing you everything you need to know about how to style a red dress and what color shoes to wear with it to ensure you get your (well-deserved) spotlight.
Baby, what better way to kick off the “new year, new me” mindset than a shopping spree for a one-of-a-kind, better-than-anything-you’ve-ever-worn red dress? Read more down below!
How to style a red dress?
“Red’s a difficult color to wear, don’t you think?” happens to be one of the comments we hear all the time.
Now, women who prefer wearing nudes and neutrals might consider certain shades of red tough to style because they might be trying to subdue the effect of scarlet red, cherry red, or vermilion.
However, even when you’re a woman who doesn’t appreciate the “red power” there are ways you can style red without standing out. Burgundy and crimson, for example, work wonderfully with earth tones.
Depending on the style of the dress, there are different ways to achieve an ensemble that attests to your personality and your preferences.
For example, an elegant, evening, floor-length gown begs to be worn with sky-high strappy stilettos and a shimmering evening bag. A figure-hugging ribbed sweater dress, on the other hand, might be more appropriate for easy-going events styled with combat boots or knee-high, heeled boots.
A flowy, floral dress, of course, works with sneakers for that effortless, streetwear style or with espadrilles and espadrille wedges for a signature summer ensemble (throw on a straw hat and a raffia handbag and you’re good to go).
And, we can’t forget about “matching the unmatchable” and styling a red dress with unexpected footwear shades (pinks, greens, and yellows), eye-catching accessories, and loud patterns.
With that out of the way, we’re over the moon to share what we’ve gathered regarding your question.
What color shoes to wear with a red dress?
We’re definitely not here to preach about what you should or shouldn’t wear because we’re huge fans of women (and men) experimenting with color combinations, patterns, and fabrics, and staying true to themselves.
We are here to offer you a few tips and tricks to make sure you’re making the most out of the clothes you own.
Without further ado, here’s 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 white dress, chances are you’re wondering what shoes to wear with a red dress because you don’t know how to keep everyone’s eyes off of you (white might sounds 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 sneakers such as The Row Marie H. leather sneakers or Nike Air Force 1 ’07 sneakers for the ultimate cool-girl energy.
Wear your floor-length red dresses with white strappy sandals, gold accents, and s straw hat for that “I own a boat!” moment. Don’t forget to choose the right color socks for white shoes, though!
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.
