A Guide to Choosing Shoe Colors that Pair with a Red Dress

Are you looking for the right shoes to wear with a red dress? I feel your struggle, girl! Even if this color is gorgeous on its own, choosing the wrong pair of shoes might ruin your overall outfit.

When it comes to your perfect shoes, there are two things you need to focus on - the right color and model that will pair with this passionate piece of clothing.

Whether you’re wearing a red dress for a wedding, a party, or a night out, I’ve got you covered. In this guide, I’ll help you pick the best shoes to pair with your red dress, based on the occasion.

Let’s dive in!

What Colors Go Well with Red?

Red is such a bold color, and it can be tricky to figure out what shades go well with it. But once you learn it, you’ll enjoy styling your red attires!

Ready to learn what are the best red dress shoes?

Let’s find out!

1) Gold

Red is a color that represents strength, passion, and confidence. When you pair it with gold – the color of glamor, you create a look that is regal, luxurious, and timeless. So, you just can’t go wrong by pairing a red dress with gold shoes.

Let me convince you with the following attire:

American model Chanel Iman wears the red evening dress and gold sandals at the gala night in New York. She pairs her shoes with the shiny purse and looks absolutely amazing!

2) Beige

While red is a color of love and passion, beige symbolizes peace and stability. Together, they create a perfect balance in every outfit, making it super classy. That’s why beige shoes are a great way to add a pop of elegance to your red attire.

Let me prove my point:

In this outfit, Angelina Jolie puts together a red dress with beige shoes and proves that less is more! Her bodycon is simple but stunning, while the heels merge with her skin color.

3) Black

In addition to all the other characteristics I mentioned above, red is also the color of danger, and pairing it with black will make your outfit look killer (in a good way)!

So, if you want to add a unique touch to your wardrobe, consider pairing a red dress with black shoes.

And if you need some inspo, check out how Kendall Jenner rocks this style:

Kendall wears one shoulder-split dress with a belt around the waist. Pointed-toe heels with attractive straps around the entire foot and ankle look sensational and perfectly complement her outfit!

4) Silver

Let’s continue our list with another color that will add a dose of glam to your attire. Silver is the color of sophistication, so if you pair a red dress with silver shoes, you are sending a message of confidence and power.

This dynamic combo is perfect for making a fashion statement at any special event.

Let’s now see how Selena Gomez pulls this look off with ease:

The gorgeous Selena wears a red leather dress with a collar and sheer sleeves. Extremely high silver heels raise the whole outfit to the next level!

5) White

And what about pairing a red dress with white shoes?

Well, it turns out that this is a great combination! White shoes add a touch of elegance and class to any outfit, and they go particularly well with a red dress.

So, if you’re looking for a way to add a bit of extra pizzazz to your attire, why not opt for white shoes to wear with a red dress? You might be surprised at how great it looks!

Let me show you:

By wearing a red shift gown with white pumps, Miranda Kerr once again proves that a refined and classy look is timeless!

6) Red or burgundy

And would you be brave enough to pair a red dress with red shoes? Is it too much?

Actually, no! Wearing all-red is a great way to boost your confidence. You’ll feel like you can take on the world in an outfit that makes you feel invincible.

I would also like to say that this combo is unique and unexpected. Not many people think to pair two same colors, so if you do it, you’ll definitely stand out from the crowd.

Of course, no one could pull this look off better than Katy Perry - here she wears her gorgeous red sequin dress and red heels:

Katy once again proves that sometimes you don’t need contrast to achieve the WOW effect.

Also, if you want the color to be slightly different from the dress, you can go with a darker shade of shoes, such as burgundy. 

7) Brown

Brown is another perfect color to complement a red dress. It’s earthy, natural, and grounded, which is precisely what you need to balance out the intensity of red.

Plus, brown shoes are always in style. So if you’re looking for a timeless and chic look, pair your red dress with brown shoes.

Let’s me inspire you with a lovely look from blogger Mary Orton:

Mary wears a pretty A-line dress and brown block-heeled sandals and thus achieves a confident, romantic look.

Another positive side of choosing brown shoes to wear with a red dress is that you get an outfit suitable for both daytime and evening occasions.

Best Types of Shoes to Pair with a Red Gown

There are so many different shoes to wear with a red dress that it can be a bit overwhelming and confusing to choose the right ones, but don’t worry; I am here to help.

In this section, I’ll share my top picks for the best shoe styles to wear with a red dress.

1. Heels

Heels make every woman feel seductive and confident, visually slimming and lengthening the figure. Only the sky’s the limit when it comes to the height of heels women are willing to go for just to look fantastic!

Stilettos go well with most dress models, but to give you some ideas, let me first show you how to flawlessly combine one shoulder A-line gown with timeless beige heels and accessories:

This adorable asymmetric dress is ideal for all women with broad shoulders who want to achieve a balance between the upper and lower body.

And if you’re more into long dresses and refinement, you’ll love the following attire:

A wrapped wine-red dress with a deep neckline and dramatic black heels is the formula for a stunning look!

2. Pumps

And if you are not a fan of very high heels, then complement your red dress with pumps. Pumps are cute shoes with low heels women often wear with formal outfits, such as dress suits and tea-length dresses.

Now I’m going to show you how you can combine pumps with a red bodycon and a nice blazer, which serves as a fancy layer over the dress.

On the other hand, if you are attending a gala dinner, a tea-length dress paired with golden pumps will definitely seal the deal.

Wear this dress style if you want to feel comfy or hide your tummy and thighs. A wide belt and a flattering skirt will camouflage all the flaws and create an attractive hourglass figure.

3. Sandals

And what type of dresses look good with sandals? This is a question that many women ask, especially when the weather starts to warm up. The answer may surprise you - you can pair any gown in your wardrobe with these shoes!

Just to give you an idea, I decided to single out two types of red dresses that look spectacular with sandals.
My first favorite is this adorable cocktail dress that is part of the all-red attire. Check it out:

Red heeled sandals with a unique floral detail around the ankle perfectly complete this chic combo!

And if you’re not a fan of high heels, don’t worry. I also made an outfit for all girls who prefer flat shoes to wear with a red dress.

Let’s take a look:

The lovely red tent dress goes great with black strappy sandals and subtle black accessories.

4. Boots

There’s no doubt that boots are one of the most versatile shoes a woman can own. But when it comes to choosing the right boots to wear with your red dress, you might feel a little lost.

To help you with your choice, I have picked two types of dresses that look absolutely perfect with boots!

So, if you are looking for a fun and flirty outfit for your next night out, opt for brown cowboy boots and other details that look good with a red dress full of ruffles.

Check it out:

And now let me show you how a red dress can look powerful with flat boots as well:

A simple sheath dress and black knee-high boots create a combination that guarantees a flawless autumn look. Finally, a black biker jacket and watch are the perfect accessories to pair with a red dress, as they add a touch of edge and sophistication to an otherwise feminine look.

5. Sneakers

Are you wondering whether you can wear sneakers with your favorite red dress? Well, the answer is - Yes! You can absolutely pair a red dress with sneakers. In fact, it’s a great way to add a touch of playfulness to your look. I’ll show you some outfit ideas to help you pull off this trend.

Let’s start with this cute ruffled hem midi dress, basic white sneakers, and details in earth tones:

And if you have a polo dress in your closet and don’t know how to pick the perfect shoe match for it, let me inspire you with this outfit:

A red polo dress, timeless Converse shoes, a mini backpack, and chic glasses combine the best of the elegant and sporty style at the same time.

Сolors to Avoid in Outfits with a Red Dress

As we can see, there are a lot of colors that match a red dress. However, some shades might not be the best option for your style. Here are some of them:

• Orange – this vibrant color can clash with the muted tones of your red dress outfit. Instead, choose an all-red combination that is a proven good match.
• Yellow – this lively color can overwhelm the red shades. Go for mustard or golden yellow instead.
• Green – a refreshing color that can jar with the warm tones of a red dress. Plus, it can make you look like a Christmas elf. Still, if you’re a fan of earthy tones, opt for brown or beige shades.

With this, we’ve covered all about which colors match with red clothes and which we should steer clear of.

Top Shoes to Pair with a Red Dress to a Wedding

Okay, now that you know all the basics about styling a red dress, you can finally wear it to the next wedding you’re invited to.

But after picking the right dress, there’s a next struggle coming  - which shoes to choose?

It’s time to eliminate that problem as well. I have prepared two outfits to inspire you and make it easier for you to choose shoes to wear with a red dress as a wedding guest.

So let’s start in order.

You want to be comfortable but also look good. And, of course, you don’t want to upstage the bride. In that case, opt for something both festive and stylish, like a wrapped red midi dress. Pair it with silver block sandals and some pretty accessories, and you’ll be ready to celebrate in style.

If you’re still stuck on what to wear to a wedding, let me suggest this tea-length red dress with beige heels and gold details.

After we covered the shoes to wear with a red dress, there are also some options you should avoid as a wedding guest. For instance, skip the boots as they do not fit this type of event, as well as sparkly stilettos and sky-high wedges. 

Remember - although a wedding is a great occasion to dress up, it isn’t a place for kitsch. Instead, make sure that your overall look exudes elegance and femininity.

How to Accessorize a Red Dress?

No matter the occasion, there’s always something extra that can take your outfit from good to great. And when it comes to accessorizing a red dress, the options are endless. In this section, I’ll show you some of the best ways and color combinations for this purpose.

Let’s start.

First, you can’t go wrong with the silver and red - it’s a classic combo that oozes sophistication. So, if you want to add a touch of glamor to your attire, consider wearing a silver bracelet, sparkling earrings, and a red purse.

Take a look.

And if you’re looking for something a little more playful and feminine, consider pairing your red dress with pink and white accessories. The pink-white combo is a perfect way to look fabulous during the spring and summertime evenings.

However, the best shade of pink that you can choose is baby pink, as it will create a balanced contrast with red and fit nicely into the whole outfit. 

And to get away a bit from the heels and elegance, I created a casual look that I’m sure you’ll like:

White sneakers, a watch, a pink handbag, and chic sunglasses flawlessly adorn this unusual wavy dress.

Finally, gold and black color accessories with a red dress are synonymous with elegance and glamor. This is an excellent choice for holiday parties or formal events.

Let me inspire you:

As you can see, you can style a red dress easily if you follow the basic color palette rules. Also, you don’t have to stick to just one color when accessorizing. Instead, dare to combine different shades (of course, ensure that these colors work well together).

Over to You

We’ve come to the end of my guide on choosing the perfect shoes to wear with a red dress.

 Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve learned: 

• The best shoe colors to pair with your red dress are gold, beige, black, silver, white, red, and brown.
• Avoid green, orange, and yellow.
• The best shoes that go with a red dress are heels, pumps, sandals, boots, and sneakers.
• Don’t wear boots, sparkly stilettos, or wedge sandals at a wedding. Instead, opt for lower heels and a more refined look.
• You can experiment a little more with jewelry and accessories, so you can throw some striking color to your outfit, such as pink.

And that’s it, my ladies! Thanks for staying with me till the end! Choosing the right shoe color to pair with a red dress can be a difficult task, but with these tips, you should be able to find the perfect match.

If you found this guide helpful, you should visit my blog, where you can enjoy more similar content. Happy reading!