Dress Codes & Style Guides
What Color Shoes to Wear With Your Dress: A Complete Guide
The easiest shoes to wear with almost any formal dress are nude, metallic (gold or silver) or black. Nude lengthens the legs and never competes with the dress; gold suits warm colors such as red, burgundy, emerald and yellow; silver suits cool colors such as navy, royal, lilac and light blue; and black works with dark dresses. Then think about the dress length: short dresses put your shoes on show, while long gowns call for comfortable heels at the right height.
In This Guide
What Color Shoes to Wear With Your Dress
| Dress color | Best shoe colors |
|---|---|
| Black | Black, silver, gold, red or nude |
| Navy | Silver, nude, gold or navy |
| Royal blue | Silver, nude or gold |
| Light blue | Silver, nude or white |
| Red | Nude, gold, black or red |
| Burgundy or wine | Gold, nude, black or burgundy |
| Emerald or green | Gold, nude or black |
| Pink or blush | Nude, silver, gold or white |
| Lilac or periwinkle | Silver, nude or white |
| Yellow | Nude, gold or white |
| White or ivory | Nude, gold, silver or a bold color |
| Gold | Gold or nude |
| Silver | Silver or nude |
| Multicolor or print | Nude, or a shoe that matches one color in the print |
A good rule: match your shoes to your jewelry. Gold jewelry with gold shoes, silver with silver. If you're mixing metals, nude shoes tie everything together.
Shoes by Dress Length
- Short and cocktail dresses: your shoes are part of the look. Strappy sandals, pumps and block heels all work; a slim heel or pointed toe lengthens the leg.
- Midi and tea-length dresses: ankle-strap sandals or pumps show off the ankle. Avoid very chunky shoes, which can make the look feel heavy.
- Floor-length gowns: the hem should just skim the floor with your shoes on. Buy your shoes before alterations, and choose a heel height you can wear all night. Platforms add height without a steep arch.
- Gowns with a high slit: your shoes will show when you walk, so choose a pair you love.
Shoes by Neckline
Necklines don't change the color rule, but they do affect the overall balance.
- Strapless and sweetheart: delicate strappy sandals keep the look light. See what is a sweetheart neckline.
- Halter: clean, minimal sandals, since the neckline already draws the eye up. See what is a halter dress.
- High necklines and long sleeves: a sleek pump balances the extra coverage.
- Heavily beaded dresses: simple metallic or nude shoes let the beading stand out.
See every neckline in neckline types.
Shoes by Occasion
- Prom and homecoming: you'll be dancing for hours, so choose a block heel or a lower heel, or bring flats to change into.
- Weddings: for an outdoor or garden wedding, choose a block heel that won't sink into grass.
- Black-tie events and galas: elegant heeled sandals or pumps in metallic or satin.
- Pageants: clear or nude heels lengthen the leg on stage. See the pageant wardrobe guide.
Tips for Buying Formal Shoes
- Buy your shoes before your dress is hemmed, and bring them to every fitting.
- Break them in at home for a few evenings before the event.
- Add gel pads or heel grips if a pair slips.
- Shop for shoes in the afternoon, when your feet are at their largest.
Sherri Hill Dresses and Shoe Pairings
Sherri Hill dresses are sold through authorized retailers; use Find A Store to locate one near you. If the store doesn't have your color or size, the retailer can check whether it's available to order.
Style 58413 (navy): try silver or nude
A halter mesh cocktail dress with a scarf. It comes in navy, wine, royal, red, ivory and black, in sizes 000 through 18. In navy, silver sandals and silver jewelry keep the look cool and crisp. See style 58413.
Style 55887 (emerald): try gold
A strapless gown in silky stretched satin with a corset top, a ruched waistline and a skirt slit. It comes in eleven colors, including emerald, red, black and gold, in sizes 000 through 26. With emerald, gold heels show through the slit beautifully. See style 55887.
Style 58464 (black with silver): try silver or black
A strapless cocktail dress on a corset bodice, set with silver stones and cut with a keyhole. It comes in black with silver and periwinkle with silver, in sizes 000 through 18. Silver sandals pick up the stones; black pumps make it sleeker. See style 58464.
Find your dress size with the Sherri Hill Size Guide, and see which colors suit you in what color dress looks best on me.
Shop the Look
Your retailer can check whether a color or size is available to order.
Find A Store
Find a Sherri Hill Retailer
In the United States, Sherri Hill dresses are sold through authorized retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color shoes go with any dress?
Nude shoes in a shade close to your skin tone go with almost any dress and lengthen the legs. Gold and silver are the next most versatile choices.
What color shoes go with a navy dress?
Silver, nude or gold. Silver is crisp and cool; gold is warmer and more glamorous.
What color shoes go with an emerald green dress?
Gold is the classic choice. Nude and black also work.
What color shoes go with a red dress?
Nude, gold or black. Matching red shoes make a bold statement.
Should shoes match your dress or your jewelry?
Usually your jewelry. Gold shoes with gold jewelry and silver with silver look the most pulled together.
What shoes should I wear with a long dress?
Comfortable heels or platforms at the height you'll wear all night. Buy them before your dress is hemmed so the length is right.
