Jacqueline Ames
Everyone should have a black dress in their closet. Its versatility is unmatched – it can be dressed up or down and you can make a black dress work for almost any occasion.
When it comes to evening wear, a black dress is perfect for that, too. A black dress has an understated, sophisticated elegance about it that makes it perfect for evening attire.
But trying to style a black dress for evening wear can be a little more difficult than styling it for your regular everyday wear. You want to make sure you are not underdressed, but at the same time, how much is too much?
Finding the right shoes are essential to pulling an evening look together. In this article, we are going to look at what evening shoes to wear with a black dress and some of the best shoe colors for evening wear.
Let’s start with colors.
Contents
What Color Shoes Go With A Black Evening Dress
Black is a neutral color, which means it goes with everything. So what color shoe goes with the color that goes with everything? Well, pretty much all of them!
When it comes to evening wear, you want to keep it elegant, so there are some tried and true colors for evening shoes that will always go with a black dress.
1. Black
If in doubt – match your shoes to your dress (or your pants!). You can never go wrong with black shoes with a black dress. Black will elevate any dress to a more professional, formal or evening look. Don’t be afraid to go with a little bling if you’re going out on the town.
2. Nude
Nude shoes really do go with everything because they match your skin tone.
Nude shoes are fantastic for letting your dress take center stage.
Should your dress be short or you have a long dress with a slit, nude shoes will make your legs look longer.
3. Clear
Clear shoes are kind of like nude shoes. They go with everything as well, and they let your dress be the centre of attention. And like nude shoes, they also give you legs for days.
4. Metallics
Whether it’s gold, silver, bronze or pewter, all metallic shoes go with a black dress. Metallic shoes will give your outfit a bit of bling and are perfect for a special evening out.
5. Prints
Animal Prints, florals or other prints can work. It’s usually best if the print has some black in it.
6. Every Other Color
Technically every color goes with black! So you are not just limited to 4 choices, but the choices above will never steer you wrong for any occasion.
It will all depend on what the evening occasion is – your grandfather’s 90th birthday or dinner with the Boss and his wife vs. a night out with the girls or a hot date. For more formal occasions, don’t go too crazy.
If you have an evening occasion that you think a statement shoe is what’s needed, you can choose to go with a bold colored or patterned shoe with a black dress, especially if the dress does not have a lot of embellishment, that’s to say things like bows and different materials or ruffles, etc.
Remember, you don’t want your shoes to be competing with your dress.
A busy dress calls for a more neutral shoe. You can experiment with a bolder shoe if your dress is simpler.
What Evening Shoes Go With A Black Dress?
The evening shoes you choose to go with your black dress can make a huge difference in the way your whole ensemble comes together. You need to find a style that not only goes with the dress, but that suits the occasion and that you are comfortable wearing.
That said, if you go too comfortable and casual, or clunky, it will throw the whole look off. On the flipside, it doesn’t matter how spectacular the shoes are, if you trip and sprain your ankle, that’s not going to make for a very good evening out.
Let’s look at the types of shoes that are ideal for evening wear. We are going to look at a few different variations of those styles, so you will no doubt be able to find that happy medium between the right style for your dress, the right height and a shoe that suits your comfort level.
First things first, if you are looking for “evening shoes”, presumably it’s for an evening event which is going to require a little dressing up. Now whether it’s a formal dinner, ceremony or a night out on the town, you will want to be looking for something with at least a bit of a heel.
1. Stilletos
There’s nothing that says ‘sexy’ like a stiletto. Their slender heel and beautiful silhouette help make the stiletto the ultimate match with a black dress for evening wear.
But as über sexy as they are, you need to be able to walk in them!
Even those of you who are skilled in wearing stilettos know you can’t really walk on grass, and there’s the whole getting stuck between pavers and in drainage grates thing. All of this increases the chance of twisting an ankle, even if you’ve had lots of practice!
If you are going to go the stiletto route – make sure you have practiced walking in them. Also make sure you stick to flat, level pavement while you’re out.
The style of your dress and your personality will dictate the style of shoes that will go best with your dress. And because black goes with pretty much every color, you have a lot of choices.
Whether you opt for a nude mule, a sleek slingback, a glitzy, strappy stiletto, or go for a stiletto in a statement color, they will all elevate your black dress to evening wear worthiness.
2. Strappy Block Heels
Let’s face it, stilettos are not for everyone. But that doesn’t mean you can’t look just as good!
For those of you who don’t fancy the idea of potentially spending your evening out sitting in the corner with a bag of ice on your ankle, a strappy block heel is both sexy and super stylish, not to mention much more sturdy.
A block heel provides both stability and comfort.
One could argue that they are also more chic and sophisticated.
3. Kitten Pumps
Kitten pumps are like the stiletto’s younger cousin. More cute than sexy, but still feminine and able to pull an evening look together with the right dress.
They have just enough of a heel to make them dressy enough for an evening out.
Conclusion
Black goes with everything. Finding a color that goes with a black dress is not an issue. But if your dress has a lot of embellishments, ornaments, or different types of material, go with a more neutral shoe color, like black, nude, or clear.
Likewise, if it’s a more formal occasion or event, play it cool and opt for a more neutral shoe.
The style of shoe you choose should also go with the dress. i.e. If it’s a vintage dress, go for a vintage shoe.
Make sure you also choose a height you are comfortable walking in.
