Which Shoes Should I Wear? Women’s Shoe Style Guide

Last updated on April 27th, 2021 at 10:56 am

We know as a woman finding the right shoes to go with the right outfit can be a bit of a task in itself. With so many styles, colours and heel heights too choose from, finding the perfect footwear can be a bit of a nightmare. The right shoes however can make or break an outfit; they can add that final finishing touch to your look. This month we have put together some little pearls of wisdom to help you choose the best shoes for your chosen outfit whether it is a casual or formal look you are going for we’re here to help!

Women’s Casual Outfits: How to Choose the Shoes

The main issue many women come across when wanting a more casual look is what shoes to wear.  Jeans are the perfect blank canvas to work with; they can either be dressed up or down.  If you’re a skinny jeans fan, then at this time of year when it’s a bit colder ankle boots go perfectly with them.  Choose from chunky heeled ankle boots with zip, faux fur and stud detailing for a rocky, edgy look or go with some comfortable Chelsea boots.  For those busy weekends with the kids choose some slip on or lace up canvas shoes to go with your boyfriend jeans, not only are they comfortable but choosing different prints and patterns can add a bold and fun look to your outfit.  Give your skinny jeans a new lease of life by dressing them up with a pair of court shoes or pointed toe high heels, this not only elongates your legs but it gives you a high fashion look straight off the runway.

When choosing a look for the office, team your coloured chinos with a pair of classic ballerina pumps. Again by picking out different colours, textures and detailing you can mix up your look on a daily basis. We are big fans of pointed toe ballerinas; these give you a classic, sophisticated look that is perfect for work.  Another style that looks great for work and play is brogues, these look great styled with rich coloured chinos or leggings for a quirky look that is bang on trend. Choose a patent lace up style to take you from work to an evening out.

If it’s a casual evening look you are going for, why not choose a jumpsuit as a quirky alternative to a dress. For such a bold outfit you’re going to need some bold and daring shoes, court shoes and caged high heels are a dream match for a jumpsuit, so why not rock a different look.

There is nothing better than when Summer finally makes an appearance, it’s also the time to tailor your footwear to suit the warmer weather. Add pretty toe post sandals and gladiator sandals to your leggings and trusty jeans. Don’t forget to swap your jeans for shorts once the weather starts to warm up.  Bright and fun flip flops give your outfit a holiday vibe that’s perfect for the beach while printed canvas shoes are perfect styled with shorts for those sunny weekends in the park or at family BBQ’s.

Womens Formal Outfits: How to Choose the Shoes

Sometimes in our busy lives we have to switch up our look and drop the casual look for a more formal look, making the right impression is crucial so attention to little details such as your shoes can make all the difference.  Pencil skirts are one item all women should have in their wardrobes, it’s an absolute fashion staple, perfect for all formal occasions. Pointed toe stiletto heels or a classic court shoe add an elegant touch to your outfit, making you appear taller so therefore more confident. It’s a classic fashion combination that also works well with suits.  If however heels are not your thing pointed toe ballerina flats look just as good, choose styles with eye-catching detailing to add a personal touch.

Got an upcoming wedding or evening out? A dress or skirt is perfect for these occasions, why not pick out your shoes first and dress up to make the decision of what to wear a little easier. Ballerina pumps look lovely when styled with a dress or skirt. Pick out styles with jewelled and sparkly detailing for the perfect evening look. For a slightly dressier look swap the flats for some heels, open toe heels give your outfit a glamorous touch, details such as fringing and lace will bring the look bang up to date. If you’re a fan of dresses and skirts for work, wear with thick tights and some stylish long leg boots for a formal look that is perfect for those cooler days. Chunky ankle boots and lace up brogues add a rock chic touch to a skater skirt. Add a final finishing touch to your outfit by changing the colour and design of your tights when wearing plain boots or shoes.

Maxi dresses are yet another dress all us women have in our wardrobe, they are perfect for those relaxed summer holidays as well as special occasions. With the length being so long it can be quite difficult to know what shoes to wear. For a hippy-boho look that looks amazing in the Summer, choose some printed wedge sandals or jewelled flat toe-post sandals. If it is a wedding or party you are wearing it for then pretty heeled sandals with that add that final flourish to your outfit.

Choosing the Right Colour Shoes

There are so many colours to choose from nowadays when it comes to footwear. Whilst black is perfect as it goes with just about every other colour sometimes it’s nice to embrace a splash of colour, so what colours go together-

Navy is one colour that is set to be huge this year, it’s a gorgeous, classy colour that gives you a timeless, smart look. So what shoe’s to wear with a navy dress or suit?

Nude ballerinas and court shoes add an elegant touch and really make the navy “pop”. For a more summery look, tan sandals and gladiator sandals look amazing against the navy.

What shoes to wear with a red dress? Red is a daring, vibrant colour. With so many shades to choose from you’re bound to find the one that suits you. A red dress is as perfect for cheering up your work wardrobe as it is for evening out with the girls. Black pointed toe stiletto heels go hand in hand with a red dress, it’s a match made in heaven. If black is not your colour try adding nude or gold into the mix.

A grey suit is a must for all you stylish working ladies out there, grey however doesn’t have to mean boring. Black and nude shoes work perfectly with a grey suit however why not be more daring and add a splash of colour to your wardrobe with some red shoes, its one colour combination you’ll want to wear again and again.

Every woman has a trusty LBD in her wardrobe, whether it is for work or a night on the town we all have our favourite. A black dress can be dressed up or down and it goes with all shoe colours. From classic black, white and navy to bold and eye-catching reds, pinks, greens and purples. Why not have fun and try some different looks, match the colour of your other accessories to your shoes.

Just as the LBD is a classic to have in your wardrobe, a white dress is also just as important, whether it be a formal dress for work or special occasion. A monotone look is always in fashion and gives you a chic look; choose from black or white shoes. For something a bit different add a pop of colour with red, blue, pink or green. These colours work just as well when you put them with some classic white jeans.

So there you have it, our top tips on what shoes go well with casual and formal outfits and what colours work best together- there’s no excuse not to inject a bit of colour into your wardrobe now! Shoes are a fantastic accessory that when chosen well can really add that final flourish to your outfits. Have fun with different styles, textures and colours and see how many fantastic looks you can put together.