These 8 Shoe Colors Will Pair Perfectly With Your Navy Blue Outfit

From dark brown to gold.

written by

Elizabeth Tamkin

updated Apr 26, 2021

Woman wearing navy blazer — Getty Images / Edward Berthelot

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.

01 of 08

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.

Marilisa Stud-Detail Clogs

Ancient Greek Sandals Marilisa Stud-Detail Clogs $390

Cabersa Woven Padded Leather Sandals

HereU Cabersa Woven Padded Leather Sandals $405

Mari Giudicelli

Mari Giudicelli Urca Clogs $690

Tuesday Mule in Espresso

Brother Vellies Tuesday Mule in Espresso $535

02 of 08

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.

SheKudo Leila Slides $240

10MM Leather Lace-Up Sandals

LuisaViaroma 10MM Leather Lace-Up Sandals $150

Level Up Sandal

Anny Nord Level Up Sandal $380

Wal & Pai Ivar Sandals $298

03 of 08

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.

Adele Bow-Tie Satin Sandals

Carlotha Ray Adele Bow-Tie Satin Sandals $212

Drogheria Crivellini Fu-Tabi Mary Jane in Sky Gingham

No. 6 Store Drogheria Crivellini Fu-Tabi Mary Jane in Sky Gingham $245

Augusta Emilia Blue $252

Barkal Sky $250

04 of 08

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.

All Star '70s Oxford Sneakers

Converse All Star '70s Oxford Sneakers $80

Off White Pebbled Goya Slide

Goya Off White Pebbled Goya Slide $319

Suzanne Rae Reseau Lady Pump in Beige

No.6 Suzanne Rae Reseau Lady Pump in Beige $535

Crochet Ballet Flats

Beklina Crochet Ballet Flats $245

05 of 08

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.

Beki Coakley Charlene $465

Peche Rayne $86

ClogShop Red Clogs $49

Camper Dina $260

06 of 08

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.

Superstar Sneakers

Adidas Superstar Sneakers $149

SheKudo The Jude $253

Kkerele Killa Mules $125

Crochet Ballet Flats Turmeric

Beklina Crochet Ballet Flats Turmeric $160

07 of 08

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).

Eugenia Flat in Curcuma Instant Ship

ZouXou Eugenia Flat in Curcuma Instant Ship $268

Toe Joe Straw Sandals

Nomadic State of Mind Toe Joe Straw Sandals $97

OCA Low Yellow Canvas Sneaker

Cariuma OCA Low Yellow Canvas Sneaker $103

Ann Mashburn Buckle Shoe $295

08 of 08

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.

Romano Rope Sandals

Nomadic State of Mind Romano Rope Sandals $118

Drogheria Crivellini Mary Janes

Alex Mill Drogheria Crivellini Mary Janes $150

Suzanne Rae Low 70s Sandal

Garmentory Suzanne Rae Low 70s Sandal $530

Brother Vellies Tuesday Mule $495

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