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DION LAMAR MILLS FOR BYRDIE
Picture this: you're wearing a stunning navy blue suit or slip dress on a beautiful spring day. Both pieces are incredibly versatile. But, they each beg to be accessorized because otherwise, they’re just a sea of dark blue. Your shoes—the color specifically—will determine whether your navy blue ensemble reads casual (think: brown, tan, yellow, or orange) or a bit dressier (white, red, or gold). Ahead, I’ve laid out my favorite color shoes to pair with navy blue that will add some oomph to your look. Plus, you’ll find some of my personal favorites to help illustrate.
Dark Brown
Brown is my favorite color to pair with navy. You instantly evolve into a classic sophisticate: you’re effortlessly put together but ready to go. I love a strappy brown closed-toe shoe (like my favorites from Hereu), a chunky clog (imagine them paired with that slip dress), or a dainty mule for dressy-but-not-black-tie occasions.
Tan
I love tan because a light color shoe is a bit daintier, less clunky than a darker one. When thinking of a navy suit, I immediately thought of pairing it with lace-up sandals as a barely-there footwear choice. However, another option is a cool slide, and I personally love these mesh ones from SheKudo.
Light Blue
Keeping it in the same color family, I like the idea of pairing navy with a lighter shade of blue. It makes the navy warmer-weather appropriate. Try a flat like these mary janes or satin slides for a weekend brunch. These would specifically be very cool if your navy suit happens to be a shorts suit.
White or Cream
White is a no-brainer when you’re styling navy. I love the idea of pairing a navy dress with everyday white classic Converse sneakers. White shoes also are perfect to wear all the way through summer.
Red
I know this seems a little overly Americana, but I think that red is a home run if done right. When pairing your navy with red, add some other colors in your other accessories: a yellow beaded necklace or some green hoop earrings or bag. It will make the outfit cheerful and fun.
Orange
To really add some volume, wear navy with its complementary shade, orange. Orange can also be really neutral when the style is a flat, lightweight one. The orange Adidas shoe would be really great with that slip dress. The closed-toe styles? Have them be the star of the show paired with navy shorts and a matching navy tee.
Yellow
The cheeriest color of them all: yellow. If you’re going to wear yellow, go all the way and choose a more saturated hue. I love the idea of dressing up a suit with those satin yellow heels or pairing some everyday navy shorts or dress with the Zou Xou mary janes (which happen to be extremely comfortable).
Gold
Navy and gold are so timeless together. Here, I’ve laid out some everyday styles (with a couple of dressier options) as a really classic shoe option. Gold is a straightforward way to instantly kick your navy up a notch.