Weddings can be challenging to dress for, especially if you are, in fact, wearing a dress. It’s the perfect time to show off that beautiful piece that’s been hanging in your closet, but you don’t want to show up the bride.
Colorwise, navy is always a great choice of dress color. It’s elegant yet subtle and allows for many color combinations. But what color shoes should you pair with a navy dress for a wedding? Let’s look at some of the best options!
A Quick Answer
A nude or printed brown shoe looks amazing with a navy dress. However, if you’re looking for something a bit more flashy, you can try a silver or gold shoe.
Our Color Picks
One thing to note with any dress is that color is not the only factor in choosing shoe color combinations. The style of dress and the type of shoe are crucial factors to consider.
With that in mind, let’s go over some shoe colors that will best complement your navy dress.
Brown
It’s easy to overlook this color combination. But done right, you’ll turn heads for all the right reasons.
If the shoe is purely brown, the dress should be more casual-formal. However, if the brown is textured, like an animal or reptile print, a short, plain cocktail dress or mid-length one-piece will make a killer combination.
For those arriving with a plus one wearing a suit, navy and brown also make matching a little easier to manage.
Silver
This combination of cool colors highlights the elegance of a navy dress. Honestly, this is a relatively straightforward mix of colors. However, this is a great time to factor in style combinations.
A floor-length gown or mini cocktail dress will flow perfectly with that tall silver heel, whereas a mid-length dress may work better with flats. Either way, open-toed is the way to go with this color combo.
Gold
Gold has the opposite effect of silver with a navy dress. Silver complements navy, whereas gold serves as a contrast.
This color can be a bold choice that stands out but is still safe for events like weddings. This contrast also allows you to pair your gold shoes with gold accessories. Try different shoe and accessory combinations and watch that dress impress!
Nude
Nude for shoes can refer to skin tone or beige. In the case of navy dresses, both definitions will work perfectly.
Nude-colored shoes are another great opportunity to work your style combinations to maximum effect. For example, combine your navy mini dress with nude heels, and you’ll swear your legs have grown longer.
This color combination is subtle but versatile, so take advantage of that fact. As an added benefit, you can wear nude shoes with anything from dresses to jeans to suits. So you’ll have a pair of shoes that you can wear even after the wedding.
Honorable Mentions
While these didn’t make the actual list, it’s worth noting a few other colors that could work with your navy dress.
Black is tricky because of how close the color is with navy, but you can make it work. You can actually combine navy shoes with your navy dress, as well, but this can be considered old-fashioned and is probably more challenging to pull off than it’s worth. And white may work as a contrasting color to navy, but it’s not as versatile or striking as the colors mentioned above.
There are no hard and fast rules here. But this style guide will point you in the right direction when considering what color shoes with a navy dress for a wedding.
So pull out that navy dress from your closet and use these color and style combinations for your next wedding!
