Looking for the perfect shoes for a black dress? This guide will give you all the inspiration you need for creating stylish outfits with your LBD.
Figuring out what shoes to wear with a black dress is more than deciding upon a color or particular style of shoe. It’s about pairing the perfect shoe with the perfect dress to create a harmonious look that’s incredibly chic.
For many of us, it’s a timeless pair of black pumps or perhaps your favorite strappy sandals. For others, it always depends on the weather.
In this post, we’ll dive into the best shoes for a black dress while identifying important factors to consider while styling. Not only will this guide help you select the right footwear for your event, it’ll also expand your options for styling any type of black dress.
Plus, I list my favorite shoe picks to style with black dress outfits!
This post is all about shoes for a black dress.
Choosing The Right Shoes For A Black Dress
There are some key factors to consider when searching for shoes to wear with a black dress. Focusing on these things first will help narrow your search when trying different shoes. Honestly, it may lead you to the right pair of shoes already in your closet. Let’s review these points of focus.
1. The Style Of Your Black Dress
Your dress style is extremely important when choosing the right footwear. The best outfits maintain a sense of balance and don’t have multiple elements competing for attention.
If you’re wearing a simple LBD without many embellishments, you have the most options. You could choose a pair of shoes that are more of a statement piece, a different color, or you could keep your shoes minimal for a classic style.
On the other hand, if the black dress is a fancy cocktail dress or a statement piece in itself, you’d want to go with a more streamlined pair of heels so as not to distract from the wow factor of the dress. For example, opt for a sleek pair of heels or minimal shoes for a black sequin dress when you want to keep the focus on the dress.
If you’re wearing a long black gown, choose a more streamlined and fitted style of shoe. A black maxi can get away with a lug sole, but avoid slouchy boots and other chunky styles that could restrict the flow of the dress.
2. The Aesthetic You Want
The next important component when determining what shoes to wear with a black dress is the type of aesthetic or look you want to achieve.
If you’re going to a formal event such as an upscale wedding, you may go for something elegant. A concert may mean you want to look edgy. A date night might mean something sexy and trendy. Maybe you’re just running errands and are going for a cute, but practical everyday outfit.
Have these outfit goals in mind because even if the dress is one style, you can use the element of juxtaposition with a contrasting pair of shoes.
3. The Setting & Weather
Lastly, I’ll state the obvious. Both the setting and weather should play a factor into your choice of footwear with your black dress outfit.
Is your event outside, mostly in the car, or indoors? For example, if you’re attending a funeral burial, your funeral outfit needs footwear that won’t dig into the grass, like a low block heel or pair of flats. Or, if you’ll be walking a lot you’ll want a comfortable pair of shoes.
Will it be cold, hot, rainy, dry, muggy, or snowing? You don’t want to be caught walking a New York City block in your favorite pair of suede boots when it starts pouring.
What Color Shoes Go With A Black Dress?
Honestly, you’re in luck with this one. Black is one of the most versatile colors to style with, so it looks great with all solid colors and natural-looking animal prints. This is inclusive of metallics, suede, sparkly heels, velvet, and other fabrics in that solid or tonal color.
Also inclusive of brown and navy–yes, these colors look great with black, too!
When styling with patterns such as polka dots, checks, houndstooth and other prints and patterns, choose a pattern that includes the color black. The black in the shoes will match your dress, creating cohesion.
Tips For Styling Shoes With A Black Dress
If you’re wearing a shorter dress or mini dress and you want to extend the length of your legs, choose a pair of shoes that match your skin color. This could be clear, nude, beige, tan, brown, or black. This style tip is great for petite women, hourglass shapes, and pear-shaped women. A longer toe box (pointy toe, extended square toe, or almond toe) is best for maximum leg extension.
Additionally, you can also extend the length of your legs with black stockings and a pair of black pumps. This is a timeless look, great for evening events, though perfectly chic during the day, too. The same effect would occur with a matching pair of colored tights and shoes, such as purple or red, if you want to make a bold statement.
Pro-Tip: Shoes with an ankle strap may give the illusion of shorter legs, especially with a thicker strap. This style of shoes looks best with shorter dresses (above the knee).
Now let’s get to the best shoes to wear with your black dress!
What Shoes To Wear With A Black Dress?
1. Nude Pumps
Nude pumps are a stylish choice to wear with a little black dress when you’re going for a more minimalist look in your outfit, or choosing other accessories to make a statement with. Less formal than a pair of black pumps, this style of footwear is great for daytime events, weddings, workwear, and even going out outfits. It’s also a softer color, perfect for the warmer months of the year.
2. Black Heels
Continuing with classic wardrobe essentials, you can’t ever go wrong with a pair of black heels to wear with a black dress. Black shoes look more formal with a black dress.
Every woman should own at least one pair in her closet, even if it’s with a barely-there block heel.
3. Tall Boots
Tall boots are my favorite choice of shoes to wear with black dresses in the cooler months. They’re perfect when styled for a winter or fall wedding (and a little unexpected, which I personally go for).
I love knee-high boots under a black maxi dress to keep my legs warm. Over-the-knee boots are cute with shorter styles such as a black sweater dress or a flirty wrap dress. Flat boots look chic styled with a casual black dress for a relaxed first date or weekend getaway.
4. Loafers
Style loafers with a dress for a more casual outfit. A knit black dress or a t-shirt dress with a pair of chunky loafers creates an of-the-moment look for spring or fall. Or try a pair of soft loafers with a relaxed shirt dress for a minimalist, casual chic outfit.
5. Classic Flats
A classic pair of flats look timeless styled with an LBD for a work outfit or going out on a Friday night. Try a two-tone style that’s Parisian chic and on-trend right now or opt for your favorite color or print.
6. Sneakers
A casual black dress with a pair of white sneakers is one of the best travel outfits in the spring and summer. You can easily throw a cardigan, sweater, or linen shirt on top and keep comfortable and stylish all day long.
Or try a streetwear look and style with a black sneaker for an edgy black dress outfit.
7. Mary Janes
Mary Janes are a popular style of flats making a comeback in current style trends, though they’ll always embody a timeless, vintage aesthetic. They look chic with a long black dress or a cute mini dress, with a heel or not.
8. Metallic Shoes
Metallic shoes can make a bold statement with a black dress. Add a touch of glam with a pair of strappy silver heels, or go all out with a pair of gold Western boots–either of which are perfect for a night out in Nashville.
9. Minimalist Sandals
Style minimalist sandals with a black summer dress for the perfect beach outfit or vacation-ready look.
10. Ankle Boots
Beloved ankle boots are always a good idea for shoes to wear with black dresses, any time of year. Chelsea boots and other styles of ankle boots (including mid-calf styles) are most flattering with longer dresses (midi and maxi length) because they tend to cut off your legs in a shorter dress.
11. Platform Shoes
Platform shoes are fun and sexy styled with short dresses including ’90s style slip dresses and baby doll dresses. However, they’ll add a youthful aesthetic to a both knee-length and midi dresses too, nicely juxtaposed with a classic shirt dress or black wrap dress.
12. Mules
Mules are super playful styled with most black dresses, whether it’s an open-toe shoe or closed toe.
13. Cowboy Boots
Cowboy boots are the perfect shoes to style with a shorter black dress when you’re going for a trendy outfit. A rich tan or brown leather looks nice with a black dress, as do the more fun color-blocked styles (which would be your statement piece). This is a great look for a country wedding or bridal shower.
14. Lug-Sole Boots
The quintessential choice for cold weather days and walking around town, lug-sole boots provide a comfortable appeal with an edgy aesthetic that works for both the day and night. They’re cute styled with a simple maxi or midi dress, or opt for a tall style with a mini dress.
15. Strappy Heels
Strappy heels are the obvious choice for parties, dressy summer nights, cocktail hours, date nights, proms, and elegant affairs. Thicker straps look best with a simple black dress, while thinner straps go with all types of styles.
16. Casual Sandals
Casual sandals are another great choice for what shoes to wear with a black dress when you’re traveling, walking the dog, or just styling a casual summer outfit. They’re my go-to for a relaxed summer concert or running errands around town.
17. Sparkly Heels
For New Year’s Eve outfits, bachelorette parties, dressy events, vacations, and just because…you can never go wrong with a pair of sparkly heels with your black dress.
18. Brown Boots
Black and brown are an unexpected combination, which is why it looks so chic. Go against the “fashion police” and just do it.
19. Red Heels
Everyone loves a lady in a red dress. How a lady in a pair of red heels for a sexy black dress outfit? All signs point to yes.
20. Slides
Match a pair of black slides with a black dress and the look is a winning combo for poolside bliss.
21. Booties
Booties are a great option in warmer weather, especially cut-out styles which add interest to a classic LBD look. These shoes are great for mild weather.
22. Colorful Shoes
Add any colorful shoe to your black dress outfit and you have an instant pop of color for an interesting bit of contrast.
23. Combat Boots
Last, but never least in my opinion, are combat boots. Styling combat boots with a black dress is always going to give you an edgy aesthetic, day or night. Perfect for a winter concert, street style outfits with a black dress, and when you want to add contrast to a nicer dress.
This post was all about shoes for a black dress
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