The Best Shoes To Pair With a Navy Dress

While there are endless varieties of neutral shoes that pair with navy dresses, one choice my mind immediately jumps to for a nude shoe is an espadrille. The footwear style, with roots in Spain, is known for its soles made of sole made of jute or fiber rope-like material. It’s perfect for warm weather excursions, and would pair perfectly with a linen navy dress or a midi sundress.

While the popularity of the shoes have come and gone, the style is in the midst of making a comeback. Plus, they’re available in all kinds of shoe styles, from closed-toe wedges to flat strappy sandals to mesh flats that work in anyone’s closet. Euro summer is officially calling!

A color combination that goes together like peanut butter and jelly? Red and navy. Pairing the deep blue shade with a brighter, rich red hue works since the two contrast against each other without competing. And though I think it’s a timeless shade, it’s worth noting that the shoe color has been gaining popularity recently, making the style even trendier than normal.

Adding red shoes to your navy blue frock can evoke all types of styles, from preppy and nautical to sophisticated and wintry. Keeping that in mind, the exact shade of red might vary a bit based on the dress and the time of year. For example, deeper hues like burgundy and wine are great for fall and winter months, paired with cozy sweater dresses or holiday party looks. For warm spring and summer outings, you can go with a brighter red, like cherry or scarlett, worn with blue cotton dresses and minis.

Looking for a way to dress down your navy look? Consider pairing the dress with sneakers. As sneakers have grown beyond shoes for the gym, the ways to style them have also grown. Lifestyle sneakers can be found from any of your favorite brands, but I’m especially a fan of models like Puma Speedcats, Onisuka Tigers, and Gola Elans. If you want to earn extra style points, look for ballet sneakers, a new twist on two classic silhouettes.

As far as which sneaker colors to match to your navy look, there’s countless possibilities. White sneakers are popular for a reason, and very versatile. Or, you can go for a pop of personality with shades like pink, orange, or yellow, just to name a few. I’d personally avoid chunky styles and look for low top, low-profile styles to pair best with your dress. And keep the style of dress in mind, too. Ideally, you’ll pair sneakers with a more casual outfit like a t-shirt dress, simple silk dress, or a knit maxi dress.

Sometimes, it’s best not to mess with a tried and true look. Neutral shoes in shades of cream, tan, mocha, bone, and espresso are some of the best shoes for a navy blue dress. They look coordinated without taking away attention from the outfit. Plus, the shades work with just about any other color, making a nude shoe a staple for any wardrobe.

Another benefit to slipping into a pair of neutral heels is the optical illusion they can provide. Picking a shade similar to your skin tone and with a slim silhouette can instantly create the look of an elongated leg. A matching shoe essentially extends your leg, at least to the untrained eye. Win-win.

Florals! Animals! Lace! That’s right, I’m talking about prints. While solids always have a place in our closets, printed shoes can work well with navy dresses. The color is nearly a neutral, making it a good muted base for a more busy shoe. If you think your dress is too simple, a printed heel or sneaker is a good and easy way to add a more unique take on the piece.

Flower prints are great for spring and summer, and the classic look never goes out of style. Animal prints have been in the spotlight recently, coming back from the early 2000s. Prints like zebra and leopard have been especially popular lately. If you’re looking for a more neutral colorway without being boring, animal prints are a good go-to.

An easy way to spice up a simple frock is by adding shoes with personality. Metallic heels pair well with deep blue. The jewel tone of the dress matches well with a metal-tone accessory, making the entire ensemble feel more elevated. Whether you’re a gold or silver gal, either shade goes with navy blue. To streamline the look, be sure to pair your jewelry with the tone of your shoes. Or, shake things up, and mix your metals.

Shiny shoes work well in all sorts of styles; from strappy sandals to classic pointed toe pumps, to ankle boots and cool sneakers. There’s also variety in the hue of the metallics. You can go for a liquid-like, glossy style, or tone it down with a more muted version. Or, you can go for a sequin-covered shoe. For a relatively remote area of the footwear world, there’s options for everyone.

A common question around styling shoes with navy dresses is: can you wear black shoes with navy? Some people might think the two colors clash, but I’m here to say that navy and black are both timeless for a reason. Why not pair them together?

If adding black shoes to a navy dress feels too strange to you, try accessorizing with black as well. Add a chic cardigan or a black clutch to the outfit to your ensemble to tie the shoes together. Even a simple black headband can go a long way with helping the look feel more polished. Black ballet flats, chunky sandals, suede boots, thong heels: you name it, you can style the black footwear with a navy dress. Or, keep things simple, and go for a classic black pointed-toe pump.

Another way to elevate a navy blue dress is by adding rich jewel tone footwear. Emerald adds a luxurious and unexpected upgrade to the dark blue. It brings cohesiveness without exactly matching, giving the outfit more interest. Both of the cool shades have an academic look about them, helping them work together even more.

While the dark green color feels very on-brand for the holiday season to me, it really can work in any season. Paired with a cocktail dress, emerald strappy sandals are perfect shoes to wear with a navy dress for a summer wedding, or you can slip into classic pumps during the fall to make your dress look even more upscale.