by Aisling Ashbery

Created on: October 12, 2010

When people thinking of “matching” something, their first instinct is usually to try to find the exact same color to complement the garment they’re wearing. This seems to be the technique many girls use when looking for shoes to match to their prom dress. For some reason, we feel that a purple dress requires purple shoes! But there are other ways to match shoes to your prom dress. Color isn’t the only option.

How to Match Shoes to Your Prom Dress: Stick to Style

If your dress is inspired by a particular style (like punk or Victorian), you can match your shoes based on that style inspiration. Look for styles that echo the look in the garment itself. For example, a punk shoe might have a thick heel and be black and strappy. A Victorian-inspired heel might have the lines of a Victorian bootie. Think of your dress as though it belongs to a character in a movie. Ask yourself what sort of shoes that character would wear. That can help you find a style to match to.

How to Match Shoes to Your Prom Dress: Fun with Fabric

You don’t have to echo style suggestions or color in order to match your shoes to your dress if you don’t want to. Another way to match is by looking at the fabric of your dress. Is your dress silky? Velvety? Lacey? Choosing shoes in the same kind of fabric will keep the shoes and dress relatable to each other, even if you choose shoes that are a completely different color than your dress is.

How to Match Shoes to Your Prom Dress: Details, Details

Most prom dresses have some sort of embellishment. Whether that embellishment is sequins, embroidery, glitter, or studs, you can use it to help match shoes to your prom dress. Look for shoes that have the same sorts of details. When your studded dress is matched to a studded shoe, it automatically looks like it goes together.

How to Match Shoes to Your Prom Dress: Don’t Forget Neutrals

If you don’t like the idea of matching shoes exactly to your prom dress, remember that a very viable option is to look for neutrals. Neutral shoes don’t have to be boring. Black and white are common neutrals used in formal shoes, but metallics are also neutrals. A silver shoe can be incredibly hot with pretty much any color or style of prom dress.

Matching shoes to your prom dress is about creating the look you want. If you’re happy with it, then you’ve found the perfect combination.

Learn more about this author, Aisling Ashbery.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.