These are the Best Shoes to Wear with a Red Dress (Every Shade Covered!)

One of the most popular style questions that seems to stump people is “What color shoes should I wear with a red dress?”

There’s a simple answer: It depends. Because not all reds are created equal!

You’ve got your bright Christmasy reds, magenta-hued reds and deep burgundy reds.

What’s more, some color shoes seem to just look tacky with a red dress.

White shoes with a red dress, for example, wouldn’t be my top recommendation. BUT, there are exceptions to the rule!

So what color shoes should you wear with a red dress? Let’s get into allll the options for you in this post.

The Best Shoe Colors to Wear with a Red Dress

Red Dress with Pink Shoes

You would think a red dress would clash with pink shoes. But if your red dress is more burgundy or wine-colored like this ruffle dress, it actually can work!

To pull off this look, the shades should be complementary. A deep brick red can work with these blush pink shoes I got from Lulu’s. (P.S. they also come in bright red!)

So can you wear a bright red dress with pink shoes? You can!

In this case, I’d recommend going for a color-block situation.

Take this matching set from Petal & Pup as an example. You’ve got bright red and hot pink together to create a bold yet beautiful combination.

It’s an unexpected yet pretty pop of color that’s a great way to stand out.

TL;DR

Wear a Red Dress with Nude Shoes

I’m a sucker for natural colors, so it’s no surprise, one of my personal favorite ways to wear red dresses is with nude shoes.

It’s a can’t-go-wrong choice, especially if you want all eyes on the dress and, in my opinion, the best color shoes you can wear with a red dress.

RELATED: 19 Cute Outfits with a Red Skirt

Nude heels are one of the top shoes every woman should own and the type of shoe you choose doesn’t matter; this look works with both nude color pumps and sandals!

My favorite beige shoes are my Christian Louboutin Pigalle heels and feel they’re an excellent fashion investment.

If you’re on a budget, I highly recommend these Sam Edelman pumps.

They have excellent reviews, offer the same look for less, and are a bestseller.

Pairing nude shoes with a red dress works no matter what shade of red you are working with.

Here, I styled this red outfit with a nude pair of sandals. The jumpsuit is pretty long so the shoes don’t take away from the outfit!

Whether it’s brick red, bright red or a pinkish red, it’ll look great with nude shoes.

This really allows your red dress to take center stage and is a classic look.

Ultimately, if you’re wearing a red dress you’re probably wanting all eyes on the dress. Nude shoes are excellent for that, and they elongate the legs!

Can You Wear White Shoes with a Red Dress?

Generally speaking, white isn’t the best option of shoes to wear with a red dress. If you have a print red dress, however, then you may be able to go with white and have it look great!

A solid red dress with solid white shoes isn’t complementary enough.

When you have a red print dress, however, the white from the shoes can play off the print for an unexpected yet beautiful combo.

Another option is to try white sandals with a red dress, rather than solid white pumps.

If your red dress is for the spring and summer months, then white sandals may just work!

Black Shoes with a Red Dress

Most every woman owns a pair of black dress shoes, so trying to make an outfit with black shoes and a red dress is a pretty natural idea.

So, can you get away with it? You can!

The one thing to keep in mind when styling a red dress with black shoes is they’re both pretty bold. So how can you make this work? Here are a few ideas:

Try tying the look together with a black belt. It cinches the waist in and coordinates well with black shoes.

If you have a red dress with black print on it, like this orangey-red dress, a pair of black shoes can complement the print nicely.

Another option is to add sheer black tights to your red dress and black shoes outfit.

I wore these black pumps with sheer tights and a red dress to the ballet a few years ago.

For our holiday photos a few years ago, I wore a bright red dress with black pumps.

It was more of a bold holiday look and definitely still works.

For something a bit more subtle, reach for a black heels instead. This is a great option for a date night look or if your dress is on the dressier side.

Can You Wear Metallic Shoes with a Red Dress?

One popular choice is to wear silver shoes or gold shoes with a red dress.

Can you? Yes! This is a great option for dressier look, such as date night or a wedding guest.

Metallic shoes are more on the formal side, so you’ll want to stick to nude if you want something a little less dressy.

If you’re going to a formal event, gold shoes can be a nice way to add some sheen to a bold red dress.

When going this route, definitely go for strappy sandals rather than a metallic pump.

Accessorize with gold jewelry to tie the look together. And the same advice applies to silver shoes!

Go for silver strappy sandals and accessories with silver jewelry, like in these looks.

If you don’t love silver heels or yellow-gold, look for shoes in the Champagne color family. It’s a bit more subtle yet still has a nice metallic sheen.

Wearing Red from Head to Toe

If you’re into a monochromatic look, you could try a pair of red shoes with your red dress.

The look is very va-va voom and is especially pretty during the holiday season. (I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re going for a more casual look).

When shopping for red shoes to pair with your red dress, try to get as much of a perfect match as possible. Different shades of red may clash.

Boots with a Casual Red Dress

If you’ve got a casual red dress, consider pairing it with boots! In this case, brown boots function as a neutral.

This red sweater dress definitely has rusty brown undertones which pairs nicely with brown knee-high boots.

Can’t Decide What Color Shoes to Wear with a Red Dress? Try Clear!

Clear and lucite sandals are still pretty popular for 2022 and 2023, so consider some cute clear sandals to pair with that red dress.

This really allows the dress to do all the talking and you don’t have to worry about choosing the right shade of shoes to go with your dress.

It also doesn’t matter what shade of red your dress is; clear shoes look great with this orangey-red dress as well as the bright red gown shown above!

---

Finding the perfect shoes to wear with that red dress doesn’t have to be complicated! From stiletto heels to red pumps, there are a ton of different ways you can style a red dress.

Spread the love!