What Shoes to Wear With Dresses of Every Color, According to a Stylist

While certain clichés like "never wear white after Labor Day" and "horizontal stripes will make you look wide" may have led you to believe otherwise, there aren't really any rules when it comes to fashion. That said, it's still helpful to have some sartorial guidelines to live by every once and a while. Knowing what shoes to wear with dresses of every color, for example, is something that can make getting dressed for an event much simpler and less time-consuming in the long run.

If you've found yourself wondering just that, you've come to the right place. We tapped New York-based stylist Anny Choi for her top tips on how to pick out the perfect pair of shoes for any dress, from short and simple to full-length and floral. Ahead, take a look at our styling recommendations for every dress color and shop a range of shoe options for each.

3 Tips for Choosing Shoes to Wear With Dresses

Before we dive into each color, here are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing a pair of shoes to wear with a wedding guest dress. From what styles work best with what lengths to how to navigate styling dresses with florals and intricate patterns, look to these three pointers for guidance.

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How to Choose Shoes for Short, Midi and Maxi-Length Dresses

When it comes to picking out the perfect pair of shoes to wear with your dress, Choi says not to get too hung up on length. "You'll very rarely see the shoes underneath a full-length dress, so prioritize comfort and go with a block heel or platform heel," she says. While you'll want to be more mindful about the shoes you pair with a short or midi-length dress since they'll be visible, your choice will likely depend more on the color and style of the dress than its length.

How to Choose Shoes for Patterned and Floral Dresses

If you're looking for a solid-color shoe to pair with a printed dress, choose one that coordinates with one of the colors found in the pattern. This doesn't have to be the most prominent shade—it can be anything from a neutral to a bold, statement-making hue.

You might think that patterned and floral dresses always call for simple shoes, but Choi says you shouldn't be afraid to try a more maximalist combo. "If you're drawn to florals and patterns, it's also fun to do a mix-and-match situation and incorporate similar prints through your accessories," says Choi.

How to Choose Shoes for a Variety of Dresses

When you feel lost about which direction to go with your shoes or purse for a wedding guest look, you can almost always count on neutrals. Choi emphasizes that this means metallics, too. "Everything from skin tones to black, gold, champagne and silver are staples you'll easily be able to rotate," she says. With that in mind, it's a good idea to have a few pairs of neutral wedding guest shoes you love and can always fall back on no matter what your dress looks like.

What Shoes to Wear Based on Dress Color: Black | Navy | Red | Green | Blue | Purple | Pink | Yellow | Orange | Brown | Burgundy | Gold | Sparkly | Champagne | Silver

What Color Shoes to Wear With a Black Dress

A black dress is the perfect canvas for a variety of shoe colors. While black, neutrals and metallics will always work, you can also have a little fun and opt for a bolder, trendier choice like burgundy.

Black Dress With Black Shoes

Photo: Nordstrom

Black Dress With Nude Shoes

Photo: Dolce Vita

Black Dress With Burgundy Shoes

Photo: Reformation

What Color Shoes to Wear With a Navy Dress

Navy dresses work especially well with metallics like silver, gold and champagne, but Choi emphasizes that dark shoes aren't off limits here. "People have this mindset that you can't wear a navy dress with black, but I strongly disagree," she says. "Navy and black and even navy and brown are great combinations."

Navy Dress With Silver Shoes

Photo: Dolce Vita

Navy Dress With Black Shoes

Photo: Lulus

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Navy Dress With Nude Shoes

Photo: REVOLVE

What Color Shoes to Wear With a Red Dress

Given the bold nature of a red dress, black or neutral shoes will always be a great match. But if head-to-toe drama is what you're after, you can opt for metallics, animal prints or even another shade of red instead. If you go the metallic route, just be mindful that the combo can easily come off more holiday party guest than wedding guest.

Red Dress With Black Shoes

Photo: Quince

Red Dress With Red Shoes

Photo: Steve Madden

Red Dress With Gold Shoes

Photo: Dolce Vita

What Color Shoes to Wear With a Green Dress

Green dresses go well with a variety of shoe colors, from whites and neutrals in the spring and summer to black and festive metallics in the fall and winter. If you're looking for a bolder shoe choice, try a fun green-on-green look or a colorful floral print.

Green Dress With Brown Shoes

Photo: Anthropologie

Green Dress With Cream Shoes

Photo: REVOLVE

Green Dress With Green Shoes

Photo: Reformation

What Color Shoes to Wear With a Blue Dress

Black shoes are a foolproof choice for a blue dress of any shade, whether it's a powdery pastel or classic navy. Metallics like silver and gold will also almost always be a great match, as will skin tones and lighter neutrals.

Blue Dress With Black Shoes

Photo: Vince Camuto

Blue Dress With Silver Shoes

Photo: DSW

Blue Dress With Beige Shoes

Photo: Zappos

What Color Shoes to Wear With a Purple Dress

Purple dresses pair well with black, neutrals and metallics like silver and gold. But if you want to make a bolder statement, go for a tone-on-tone look with shoes of a similar shade or reach for a fun floral print.

Purple Dress With Gold Shoes

Photo: Lulus

Purple Dress With Purple Shoes

Photo: Sam Edelman

Purple Dress With Floral Shoes

Photo: Steve Madden

What Color Shoes to Wear With a Pink Dress

No matter the season, pink dresses always pair well with black, light neutrals and skin tones. For a more festive touch, opt for a metallic like gold, champagne or silver.

Pink Dress With Silver Shoes

Photo: Charles & Keith

Pink Dress With Nude Shoes

Photo: Anthropologie

Pink Dress With Ivory Shoes

Photo: Soludos

What Color Shoes to Wear With a Yellow Dress

Darker shades of yellow pair perfectly with black and deep neutrals, while lighter shades are just right for subdued metallics, creams and ivories. (Yes, you can wear white shoes to a wedding.)

Yellow Dress With Cream Shoes

Photo: REVOLVE

Yellow Dress With Nude Shoes

Photo: Zappos

Yellow Dress With Gold Shoes

Photo: Lulus

What Color Shoes to Wear With an Orange Dress

Tans, browns and creams will always be an excellent choice for an orange dress, whether it's a deep, rusty hue or bold coral. Just be sure to pick a pair that's a few shades darker or lighter than your dress color in order to create contrast. If you're dressing for a spring or summer destination wedding and want a bolder look, try a bright green or tropical blue instead.

Orange Dress With Nude Shoes

Photo: Anthropologie

Orange Dress With Gold Shoes

Photo: Margaux

Orange Dress With Cream Shoes

Photo: Sam Edelman

What Color Shoes to Wear With a Brown Dress

Because brown is a neutral, you'll find that it works well with a wide variety of shoe colors. The most classic choices are black, metallics and skin tones, but you can easily play up your look with an animal print or another dark shade like burgundy or deep purple.

Brown Dress With Black Shoes

Photo: Macy's

Brown Dress With Leopard Print Shoes

Photo: Reformation

Brown Dress With Gold Shoes

Photo: Anthropologie

What Color Shoes to Wear With a Burgundy Dress

You can never go wrong with black or neutral shoes for a burgundy dress, but something silver or gold will add a festive touch for a formal occasion. A burgundy dress with burgundy shoes also makes a chic statement, and you'll find it's a less complicated color to find a close match for.

Burgundy Dress With Black Shoes

Photo: Larroudé

Burgundy Dress With Nude Shoes

Photo: DSW

Burgundy Dress With Burgundy Shoes

Photo: Vince Camuto

What Color Shoes to Wear With a Gold Dress

For a statement-making gold dress—perhaps one with sequins or other eye-catching embellishments—opt for shoes in a subtle neutral or similar shade of gold. On the other hand, create contrast with a simpler gold dress by opting for black or a bold jewel tone.

Gold Dress With Nude Shoes

Photo: Lulus

Gold Dress With Gold Shoes

Photo: Nordstrom

Gold Dress With Black Shoes

Photo: REVOLVE

What Color Shoes to Wear With a Sparkly Dress

You can never go wrong with neutrals when it comes to sparkly dresses, as their subtlety will prevent overpowering the dress. You can also reach for shoes in a matching metallic hue for a similar effect that better complements the dress's shine, or you can opt for black shoes for even more contrast.

Sparkly Dress With Nude Shoes

Photo: Anthropologie

Sparkly Dress With Black Shoes

Photo: Lulus

Sparkly Dress With Silver and Gold Shoes

Photo: Reformation

What Color Shoes to Wear With a Champagne Dress

Neutrals like nude, gold and silver pair well with a champagne dress's metallic shine, but if you'd like a little more contrast, you can't go wrong with black. If your dress is on the simple side, don't be afraid to pick a shoe with fun details like rhinestones, pleats or bows.

Champagne Dress With Black Shoes

Photo: REVOLVE

Champagne Dress With Nude Shoes

Photo: DSW

Champagne Dress With Silver Shoes

Photo: Nordstrom

What Color Shoes to Wear With a Silver Dress

Like gold and champagne dresses, silver dresses pair well with subtle neutral, similar metallic shades and black. Since silver is a neutral, it's never a bad idea to play it up with a bolder shoe choice in a deep jewel tone or fun bright hue.

Silver Dress With Silver Shoes

Photo: Lulus

Silver Dress With Nude Shoes

Photo: Zappos

Silver Dress With Black Shoes

Photo: Sam Edelman