10 Types of Shoes to Wear With a Black Dress (2024)

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Jessica Gibbs

10 Types of Shoes to Wear With a Black Dress (1)

Jessica Gibbs

Jessica Gibbs is a style and shopping writer based in Brooklyn, NY. She enjoys sharing the best styles and how to wear them.

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Published on April 11, 2024 @ 11:56AM

10 Types of Shoes to Wear With a Black Dress (2)

Admit it: You have more than one black dress in your closet, each one different from the last. All in varying styles fulfilling a duty for separate occasions and some even pulling overtime for day and night events. Do you find every time you reach for one of those little black dresses you’re faced with the inescapable question: "What shoes am I going to wear?"

Fear not, for there are many stylish pairs to enhance your favorite black dress. Whether you’re meeting friends for brunch or heading out for a night of dancing, there is a complimentary pump or strappy sandals to go with your trusty black dress. From classic styles like pumps, loafers, and ballet flats to more modern pairings like mesh flats, you’ll find plenty of sharp and chic ways to update your go-to black dress ahead.

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Wedges

10 Types of Shoes to Wear With a Black Dress (3)

If you haven’t added wedges to your shoe rotation, finding a pair to wear with a black dress is a great way to bring back this ultra-comfy and chic shoe silhouette. The best thing about a wedge shoe is the height and comfort they give you without the teetering feeling of sky-high stilettos. Opt for a pointed-toe and sleek, architectural wedge à la Bottega Veneta to strut out in an evening little black dress.

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Knee-High Boots

10 Types of Shoes to Wear With a Black Dress (4)

A pair of knee-high boots paired with your best black mini-dress will give you legs for miles. Don’t be afraid to punch up your black dress with boots in a leather croc effect or even a dark chocolate brown. The old rule of keeping black and brown separate is gone, and it’s so modern to pair these two colors together.

Better yet, find a deep brown in patent leather for an elevated going-out look. On the flip side, you can pair flat knee-high boots with a mid-length black dress for a daytime outfit that’s equally stylish.

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Strappy Sandals

10 Types of Shoes to Wear With a Black Dress (5)

A classic spring combo- the strappy sandal with a casual lightweight black dress. Warmer weather calls for showing off that pedicure with a minimal strappy heeled sandal and a longer black dress. Plus, you can easily take your look from day to night with a blazer or leather jacket.

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Open-Toed Mules

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The crossroads of style and comfort come together with an open-toed mule, even better if it has a thicker sole. Easy to slip on and style with a black slip dress or knit tank dress, these versatile shoes play off the 90s style that’s found its way into our everyday wardrobe. An open-toed mule is a great shoe to give a slightly fancy black dress a more comfortable and laid-back feel.

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Ballet Flats

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Balletcore is still in heavy rotation on the trend spectrum these days. Plenty of spring runway collections showed us at least one iteration of a ballet flat, firmly planting the trend into our everyday wardrobe. Perfect for an easy daytime black dress with a mid-length hem to add a touch of sweetness. You can go for a simple black leather flat or a lovely satin pink pair to add a pop of color to your look.

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Classic Pumps

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Day or night, classic a-line or little LBD, a pointy-toed pump is ideal for so many occasions and just as many styles of black dresses. A pump is the tried-and-true fashion best friend to elevate a black dress. Consider a black patent heel to lend a more traditional style. And for those who want to kick it up a notch, flirt with a bright jewel-toned pair for added personality.

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Chunky Loafers

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Reaching new heights in a stacked platform heel mixed with the ease of a traditional loafer, these pair perfectly with a midi dress. The combination of a fashion-forward loafer and a billowy dress creates a balanced contrast that feels timeless and modern all at once. Effortlessly add visual interest by wearing a richly textured or colored sock with your chunky loafers.

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Cowboy Boots

10 Types of Shoes to Wear With a Black Dress (10)

We can’t ignore the Western trend is taking over. A cowboy boot is truly a versatile shoe that can dress up or down a black dress, depending on the cut. Pair a traditional embroidered style boot with a puff-sleeved prairie dress for a light and casual daytime look. A sleek pair of cowboy boots with a black babydoll dress is a fun callback to 90s style.

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Platform Flip-Flops

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If you’re looking for a quintessential Y2K look that's equal parts fashion and easygoing, look no further than platform flip-flops and a long black dress. The look harkens back to the early aughts and is so easy to put together. The ease and comfort of an elevated flip-flop work effortlessly with a black slip dress or fitted knit dress. Grab your mini backpack, and you’re ready to go!

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Mesh Flats

10 Types of Shoes to Wear With a Black Dress (12)

For those times that call for fashion with a capital F, a mesh flat can take your favorite black dress a sartorial step up. Take cues from The Row and Alaïa for a simple but modern flat on days when you can’t bring yourself to wear a heel. As more brands come out with their own iteration, this trend is here to stay for a while!

10 Types of Shoes to Wear With a Black Dress (2024)

FAQs

10 Types of Shoes to Wear With a Black Dress? ›

Wearing a black dress with a pair of metallic shoes gives your outfit a bit of glamour. Gold or silver shoes add shine and sparkle to your outfit, making it outstanding. You could also opt for ballet flats for a laid-back vibe with a black midi dress. That's a perfect look for special occasions and parties.

What shoes look best with a black dress? ›

Wearing a black dress with a pair of metallic shoes gives your outfit a bit of glamour. Gold or silver shoes add shine and sparkle to your outfit, making it outstanding. You could also opt for ballet flats for a laid-back vibe with a black midi dress. That's a perfect look for special occasions and parties.

What color shoe goes best with black? ›

Rules To Consider While Pairing Shoes With Black Pants

Black, brown, and oxblood are the most preferred hues to pair with black pants.

What shoes to wear with a black dress to a funeral? ›

For the shoe color, avoid those shades which are too bright for your good. Colors like neon pink or bright yellow should be off your funeral fashion list. Instead, opt for neutral shoe colors. Black, brown, grey, and white are great options.

How do you match shoes to dress? ›

Sticking to a uniform colour scheme is a great way to look polished, but be careful not to match your outfit's material to your shoes. Instead, choose footwear in the same colour as what you're wearing but in a different material—say, velvet or metallic, to add texture to your outfit.

What complements a black dress? ›

A black dress paired with white accessories or accents creates a sleek and timeless look. Opt for a white belt, shoes, or a statement necklace to add contrast and make a bold fashion statement.

Should shoes be lighter or darker than dress? ›

Choose shoes that are one shade darker than your outfit.

The difference in color will be barely noticeable to most but will prevent your reds from clashing.

Which color shoe is best for all dress? ›

Black, beige, and gray shoes go with anything. Since they are all neutrals, you can wear these colors to offset a more vibrant outfit. Of course, with these neutrals, you can either mix and match or keep them in a similar tonal family. Red shoes are an ideal way to get an elevated look.

How to accessorize a black dress for a funeral? ›

A white blouse or pastel scarf on your black funeral dress could provide a nice contrast against a somber-toned suit or dress. However, it's important not to go overboard with bright colors, as this could draw too much attention away from the ceremony.

What is not black attire for funerals? ›

If you don't wish to wear black, it is becoming more common to step away from this tradition. In this case, you should still opt for smart, tidy clothing, but still stick to fairly sombre colours. Or, you might opt for clothing or accessories in the deceased's favourite colour.

How to pick the right shoes for a dress? ›

5 Tips for Matching Your Shoes With Your Dress
  1. Complement the proportions of your dress with your shoes. A big part of what makes an outfit look good is proportion. ...
  2. Think of a theme for your look. ...
  3. Consider where you'll be going. ...
  4. Determine if you're trying to conceal or enhance a feature. ...
  5. Experiment with patterns.
Mar 5, 2022

Should handbag and shoes match? ›

Though matching leather bags and shoes can work, avoid going for the same material as the rest of your outfit. Combine different materials and fabrics to bring texture to your look. Make sure your shoes and bag match by partnering a block colour with a pattern, but avoid sporting two examples of the same pattern style.

Which color combination is best with black dress? ›

We recommend that you opt for beige or white tones, since black is a powerful color, generating contrasts with lighter colors will make you look less aggressive. Lastly, pay attention to your shoes. If you opt for a more casual meeting, high boots or ankle boots are very welcome.

What color heels to wear with a black dress for a wedding? ›

White shoes are always a classic choice, and they'll contrast beautifully with a black dress. Silver or gray shoes will also look stunning with a black dress, and they'll add a touch of shimmer and sophistication to your outfit. For a bolder look, try choosing shoes in a bright color, like red or yellow.

Do white shoes look good with a black dress? ›

Achieve a sophisticated and stylish look with these outfit ideas featuring a black dress and white shoes. Discover how to create a timeless and chic ensemble that is perfect for any occasion.

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