Pigeons!
Anna writes with this burning question!
What color shoes go with navy slacks?
I have a pair of navy slacks, and I need to know what shoes to go with them. All of my nice winter shoes are either black or brown–I like playing with shoe style more than shoe color, because color can really limit you on what you pair with it. Only three of my pairs of shoes are brown–medium light thick heels, medium dark stompy/masculine lace up shoes with tan accents, and dark brown skechers that are sort of like ballet flats. None of them seem quite right for navy pants … but black doesn’t seem right for navy, either. Does the “don’t pair black and navy!” rule go for shoes, too?
Dear Anna,
First of all, a picture is worth a thousand words, and even with your descriptive powers I am unable to imagine the pants and the shoes without images. Always feel free to send photos to PeaceBang, as she is now wildly curious about the brown stompy shoes with tan accents look like! Are they wing-tips? Combat boots? What’s up? The dark brown Sketchers leave a little less to the imagination and I’m pretty sure I know the exact shoes you’re referring to.
There is no reason in the world not to wear black with navy blue — in fact, it can look very sharp. PeaceBang always makes sure to have a scarf with black and navy in it together so she can rock the navy skirt/slacks black shoes combo and feel like she’s thematically tied together but that’s just her.
As in all things, it’s all about textures, styles, materials and cut. I personally loathe dark brown shoes (it’s a quirk) unless they’re boots, as I think dark brown leather is dowdy for most women’s shoe styles. Crazy, I know. But I own no dark brown shoes.
My recommendation for people who don’t love the combination of navy and brown or navy and black is to invest in a pair of taupe or grey shoes. Or for women, why not plum? Or metallic? Be interesting! If the shoe is formal enough, you can get away with all sorts of gorgeous colors for preaching.
Plum!
Taupe!
Grey!
Love those grey booties! I’d recommend them as I have had a similar pair for about 3-4 years now and worn them regularly in the cooler months. The taupe suede wedges would also get a workout in my wardrobe!
The plum heels are lovely, but I’m not sure I’d be comfy using them as a neutral. [Wait, do you have the grey booties that lace up or the other ones? – PB]
I love my deep red patent leather flats (can’t figure out how to post a pic to comments) with my Navy pants…they go with my black slacks, too 🙂
I wear black shoes. I also like my gold pumps with navy – and with purt’ near everything. It’s a dark, flat gold with grey and black highlights, so I don’t feel like Rev. Liberace when I wear them. And I’m from Minnesota, with a very low threshold for what’s considered flashy and (shudder) calling attention to oneself.