Another day, another fashion emergency. Are you a female who struggles to decide what color shoes to wear with black pants? If your answer is yes, then this article was made for you to read!
Deciding what colors to pair can be a real struggle. I am sure we have all been in that situation when we were standing in front of our closet, pulling out t-shirt after t-shirt and pants after pants, and tossing them on the floor.
And our mind was racing with thoughts!
“If I wear these black washed jeans, can I wear my emerald green top? But then I obviously cannot wear my new yellow Nikes. Should I wear a black t-shirt instead? But then I’ll look like a bumblebee! Maybe it would be best if I just stayed at home in my three-day-worn sweatpants!”
I’m one hundred percent sure I’m not alone in this struggle and that plenty of other females rack their brains trying to come up with the perfect outfit. What makes it even more nerve-racking is that once you do come up with the go-to combo, tomorrow is a new day, and you have to do it all over again.
Because, of course, Instagram does not tolerate when you recycle looks too many times in your photos. The feed has to be immaculate and that’s just it, right?
Ah, First World problems!
But all jokes aside, if you do wish to know what color shoes to wear with black pants, keep scrolling to find out! This article brings you 8 different color options and different shoe options. So, no matter the occasion, you’ll find the shoes to pair with black pants.
What things to consider when choosing shoes to wear with black pants?
We all know that black pants can pretty much go with any footwear and any color. They are one of those staple wardrobe pieces everyone has precisely because they are so versatile and easily paired. However, there are many factors that affect your decision of what style and color shoes to wear with black pants.
First of all, it’s the occasion. I’m sure you’re not going to wear the highest heels in your closet with your black pants to your son’s soccer match. No matter how good the shoes you’re wearing look, if they are inappropriate – the whole outfit is ruined.
Second, you have to consider your personal style. It doesn’t matter if something is trending, if it doesn’t align with how you usually identify through fashion, coming up with a perfect outfit will be a nightmare. Because how on earth will you wear bright orange stilettos if even kitten heels are a problem for you?
The same thing applies to pairing the shoes with the rest of your outfit. If your closet is full of joggers and casual wear, it will be hard for you to pair that with something other than sneakers, right? Don’t buy shoes for the sake of shoes. They will be collecting dust in your closet, for sure.
Lastly, think of the season. There are some exceptions when you can wear heels in the middle of the winter (and that ties to our first factor, the occasion); but you won’t go out in the snow wearing flip-flops, I’m sure.
Now that we’ve covered that, we can finally move on to the main reason why we’re here. Let’s see what colors go great with black pants!
Female fashion: what color shoes to wear with black pants?
1. Black
Black on black is always a good idea. Some people might think it’s very plain and boring, but dressing in all black everything can be so empowering.
This color is amazing because it’s appropriate for pretty much any occasion. When you’re wearing black, your outfits can range from casual to formal. That’s the main reason why we love black pants so much!
What’s good about shoes in this color is that no matter what other colors you’re wearing – whether it’s a colorful shirt, jacket, or bag – it’s like a match made in heaven when paired with black pants. It’s a safe option that doesn’t seem to go out of style.
So, depending on the occasion and your personal style, pair your black pants with either stylish black loafers, black leather boots, black strappy sandals, or black stilettos. Anything you choose, one thing is certain: this color will never steer you wrong!
As you could tell, we prefer these classic pointed-toe stilettos from Elisabet Tang. They’re simple and work great for different occasions so you can be sure they won’t end up somewhere at the back of your closet, in their original box.
2. White
White is another timeless color. It is a color that many people usually associate with purity, cleanliness, and simplicity. It also evokes a sense of calmness and minimalism.
White color has a special place in fashion, and it is very much appreciated. Because it reflects the light so well, it is often worn in the summertime to help stay cool. And because it’s so simple, it serves as a great canvas for other outfit pieces to dominate and shine.
This color is a strong contrast to black. So, it’s no wonder they are frequently paired together. When worn together, black and white get to stand out together. In a way, they also make each other pop.
Therefore, if you wondered whether you can pair your black pants with some white shoes, the answer is – yes! For your everyday outfits, try pairing your pants with regular white sneakers. Top it off with a cool leather jacket and a bag, and you’re ready to run some errands.
For more formal occasions, pair your black pants with your white strappy sandals or white pumps. Add a few accessories like some golden hoops, and you’ll be good to go.
3. Neutral colors
This category includes colors like beige, brown, and taupe. Similarly to black and white, these colors also go with pretty much everything!
When pairing neutral-colored shoes with black pants, make sure to include other neutral-colored pieces in your outfit. It can be something as simple as a silk scarf, a bag, a jacket of some kind, or even a specific detail such as the strap of the watch on your wrist.
It doesn’t have to be the same neutral color or shade. As long as it’s similar, your outfit will look more put-together.
For example, the perfect fall outfit can include black pants, beige UGGs, a neutral-colored top, and a brown jacket. All that’s missing is a pumpkin spice latte, am I right?!
And when it comes to heels, neutral-colored ones paired with black pants form more of a formal combination, although not as extremely formal as black on black. So this color combination is perfect for an everyday office environment when you don’t have a super important meeting coming up.
4. Pastel colors
Pastel colors, also known as tints, are pale versions of colors, and they’re made by mixing a significant amount of white with the original color. These colors have high brightness levels and low saturation. Because of that, they are often associated with calming and peaceful vibes.
These colors are very soothing and easy on the eyes and therefore represent a strong contrast to the color black. So, similarly to white, these colors are great when paired with black pants.
Because of such a stark contrast, pastel-colored shoes combined with black pants will not go unnoticed. So, if you decide to opt for pastel-colored shoes, make sure you apply the same rules as we mentioned with neutral-colored shoes. Also, make sure to include other pastel-colored items in your outfit.
You want your outfits to look cohesive and well-thought-about, and not like you just randomly threw some things you’ve found in your closet together.
So, if you combine your black pants with pale yellow sneakers like these ones from Soda, make sure to add similarly colored accessories, like a funky pale yellow bracelet or earrings. By doing so, you’ll tie everything together and end up with the perfect outfit that will most definitely catch many people’s eyes.
5. Dark colors
If you are a fan of dark colors, there’s no need to always go for black on black. You can pair your black pants with any other dark-colored shoes.
By combining dark-colored shoes with black pants, you’ll achieve a bit of a contrast, which is not so strong as with whites, neutrals, or pastels. This will add some fun and dimension to your outfit, while at the same time remaining toned down and not so “out there”.
The golden rule when pairing dark-colored shoes with black pants is to make sure the rest of your outfit is in the same tone range. This means that if your shoes have a warm undertone, other pieces of your outfit align.
So, if you go for burgundy pumps and black pants, you can have burgundy lipstick, for example, and a warm-toned bag to tie everything together.
6. Bright colors
I think we can all agree that black is such a perfect backdrop for bright colors. As our favorite legend, Bob Ross says, “You have to have dark in order to show light,” since darkness truly makes bright colors pop.
So, if you have a perfect pair of bright-colored shoes waiting in your closet, just know that black pants were made to be paired with them. When paired with black pants, your statement shoes can get the spotlight they deserve.
There’s one thing to keep in mind, though. If you decide to pair your black pants with brightly colored shoes or boots, make sure the rest of your outfit is fairly simple. You can wear all black or go for a monochromatic look. You want your shoes to have the main word.
7. Clear shoes
What color shoes to wear with black pants and look like a put-together female? How about no color at all?! Clear shoes act almost identically to neutral-colored shoes. They go with pretty much anything, and they do a good job of elongating your legs.
If you decide to pair clear shoes with black pants, you don’t have to worry about matching accessories. What you do have to worry about is the fact that these shoes are not the best option to wear for extremely formal events. If you have an important meeting, skip these ones and opt for black or nude heels.
However, if you have an informal event, like a birthday party or a wedding, and you want to wear your stylish black pants and a nice top – clear shoes can add a bit of spice to that party outfit.
There are many options to choose from as transparent heels have taken the world by storm but we’re huge fans of these from Wetkiss. They’re on trend and we appreciate the rhinestone detail which makes them pop.
8. Metallic
Last but not least, we have metallic shoes which are great for New Year’s Eve parties, a wedding, a date, or a girl’s night out. When paired with black pants, they elevate the seemingly formal look to another level!
However, like clear shoes, these ones are also a big no-no for more formal events. Don’t take them to the office, rather take them to the dance floor.
If you are wearing an all-black outfit, or black pants and a white or nude top, make sure your metallic shoe match the accessories you’re wearing. For example, if you go for golden, strappy sandals, wear gold jewelry.
And if you opt for black pants and a colorful top, make sure your metallic shoes are in the same tonal range. This means that warm-toned tops will go best with gold or copper shoes, and cool tones with silver or rose gold.
Is it really a fashion crime to pair black and brown?
For some reason, there is an established opinion that black and brown should never be combined. But, contrary to that popular belief, you can most definitely pair these two colors together.
Fashion is constantly changing and some fashion rules are totally outdated today. So, if you have a pair of brown heels, and you’re contemplating whether or not to pair them with black pants, just know that there’s no need to why you shouldn’t do it.
There’s no fashion police to lock you behind bars if you break these infamous rules. Wear whatever you like! Just make sure you feel comfortable and confident in it because confidence is the best accessory you can wear!
