15 Shoes to Wear With a Navy Dress That Won’t Have You Feeling Blue

The Gist

• Many colors are synonymous with certain ideals, and navy is often considered the hue of sophistication.

• Dresses remain one of the most fashionable ways to wear the color, but that has left people wondering which shoes to wear with navy blue dresses.

• Keep reading to see 15 editor-approved shoes that will make your navy dress the star of the show.

If pink lends itself to playful Barbiecore looks and white is meant to evoke Memorial Day vibes, then consider navy blue the ultimate hue of summer sophistication. Many of fashion’s best garments are intentionally available in navy—like blazers, trousers, and blouses. Dresses remain one of the most fashionable ways to wear the color, but that has left people wondering which shoes to wear with navy blue dresses.

With a navy suit, you’d surely wear heels or Oxfords to match the ensemble’s formality. And with a blouse-skirt pairing, you might opt for a sandal to keep the outfit soft and elevated. The good news is that you can still wear all these types of shoes with navy blue dresses. The key is to figure out how to play with texture and which colors go with navy blue.

Keep reading to see 15 editor-approved shoes that will make your navy dress the star of the show.

White Peep-Toe Ankle Boots

A spaghetti strap minidress has become a go-to for summer because of how much breathability the garment offers. If you want to feel even more of the fresh breeze, consider grabbing peep-toe ankle boots. As an extra bonus, you’ll elevate the overall look with the added height.

Colorful Sneakers

By now, pairing sneakers with a midi or maxidress has become a style staple. So, for your navy dress, try out a colorful pair of sneakers in place of the all-white kicks you might gravitate toward. This is the time to have fun and be experimental with the colors of your sneakers. The beauty of navy is that it can stand up to bright colors and still stand out more than your basic black.

Brown Suede Knee-High Boots

The warm undertones of a chestnut brown knee-high boot and a dark denim dress play off each other to create a richer texture and saturation for your look. The combination can read as laid-back boho or cool street style, but either choice is an easy and chic pairing.

Open-Toed Heels

When the occasion calls for something more formal, yet compatible with warm weather, open-toed heels are a tried-and-true footwear option. Black heeled sandals are a perfect complement to a long navy dress. The heels don’t call too much attention, instead letting the gorgeous navy dress speak for itself.

Gold Sandals

Whether it’s a delicate T-strap flat or a classic pump, gold sandals bring out the warm undertones of a navy dress. Best for an evening event, pairing gold with navy gives your dress a bit of glitz and shine. Pale gold works best with a dark navy, and yellow gold complements a deep royal blue dress.

Embossed Croc Boots

Much like the brown suede boot, a brown Croc boot brings out the warm tones of navy. The addition of a patent croc effect on leather amplifies the sexiness of the boot and essentially takes your navy dress up a notch. Opt for an over-the-knee boot to wear with a knee-length or midi dress to balance the sex appeal of the boot for a sophisticated look.

Snake Print Boots

Neutrals playing off of neutrals is the name of the game when pairing an animal print with navy. Snake print, in particular, comes in light gray tones similar to silver that balance easily with navy. The addition of a snakeskin pattern adds edge and visual interest to a simplified navy dress silhouette.

Tips

If you’re looking for an understated, albeit stylish, look, opt for footwear that’s in a neutral tone—like black, white, or tan. To make more of a statement, go with brighter colors—including red, green, and pink.

Ruby Red Mules

There’s a reason primary colors work so well together, and red and blue are the quintessential colorblock pairing. Show off your color theory know-how when coupling reds in varying hues with navy. Bright cherry red stands out against a navy dress, giving the colors a deep saturation, and burgundy creates a subdued and serious ensemble when paired with dark blue. 

White Pointed Pumps

The combination of white and navy can be worn in styles ranging from All-American prep to high-fashion style maven. For a vintage summery style, pair a coquettish white kitten heel with a navy polka dot dress. If you’re aiming for something more sophisticated, a boot in striking white contrasts elegantly with a deep navy dress.

Cowboy Boots

If you’re still hesitant to wear black with blue, it’s time to throw those old notions out the window. It’s easier than ever to pair black with a dark navy dress, though a simple black comfortable heel could get lost in your look. Choosing a cowboy boot gives your dress an extra fashion edge and doesn’t compete with the navy.

Denim Boots

Styling your navy dress with denim-on-denim is a fun way to slightly break up the blue while keeping it cohesive. Tall denim boots in a lighter denim wash will stand out against the dark blue for a bit of contrast. This look is part street style, part high street, and all fashion.

Green Combat Boots

A complementary pairing, shades of green work easily with navy. Here, you can choose to be subtle or bold, depending on the hue of green you pick. Dark green creates a toned-down look next to deep navy. Conversely, a bright, neon green stands out in style. It’s a versatile color combo that you can have fun with in multiple shades and styles.

Ballet Flats

Sometimes, navy blue can come off as a little strong, and ballet flats can add a dainty touch. To make that fragility stand out, opt for a light color—like pink or lavender. If you want it to read more regally, consider neutrals like tan or black.

Orange Slingbacks

Opposites attract and blue and orange sit directly across each other on the color wheel. Translation? They pair perfectly together, as illustrated by this velvet empire waist dress and square-toed slingback heels.

White Slouchy Boots

To flex your sartorial know-how, combine trendy slouchy boots with an of-the-moment sheer dress. Opt for footwear in white to pop against the dark navy.

Read the original article on InStyle