by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: March 20, 2007   Last Updated: April 23, 2007

Brides and bridesmaids: Need to match your shoes to your gowns? Purchasing inexpensive pumps and having them dyed to match is an excellent option. Simple shoes may even be embellished with sequins, beads, lace, gems, charms, flowers, or ribbon bows.

This is an excellent way to match shoes to a prom dress or other formalwear as well!

Bridal salons, department stores, and even discount shoe shops often offer plain pumps, mules, sandals, and slippers. Usually made of satin or silk, these can be dyed to match a garment (or even a fabric scrap). It's a good idea to check labels carefully, to be sure the shoe fabric is pre-shrunk.

Ideally, the shoes will come with a sample piece of fabric, so that a color-matching trial can be completed before the actual shoes are colored.

Shoe dying costs may range from $5 to $20, so it pays to do some comparison shopping. (You do not have to dye the shoes where you purchased them.) In addition, a discount may be negotiated, if a supplier is dying the entire wedding party's shoes the same color.

Shoes can also be dyed at home, but it is difficult to achieve the exact color and even color absorption. Also, colors generally lighten upon drying, so this can be tricky.

Dyed shoes are generally not color-fast. If they get wet, the colors may run. Applying a waterproofing treatment may help, but this may alter the color. It's simpler to keep the shoes dry. (In other words, if it rains on the wedding day, save the shoes for the church!)

Dyed shoes are not returnable. However, they can certainly be re-dyed in another (darker) color, as long as they have not been treated with a waterproofing or stain-proofing application. My ivory satin wedding pumps were revived as scarlet slippers for a holiday party!

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