Today I'm happy to show you what color shoes with navy dresses to wear. Matching a neutral dress with the appropriate shoe color is usually a simple endeavor.
But with a particular shade such as navy blue, matching the best color shoes is sometimes tricky. Especially if you're trying to pair the right shoes to wear with a navy dress for a wedding, prom or formal occasion.
What Color Shoes with Navy Dresses?
Shop Navy Dresses & Gowns:
Alt Text: shoppable women's navy dresses and gowns
Ok, so like I said, finding the right shoe color for some dresses may be more difficult than others. Navy blue might seem like a more difficult color to pair with the right color shoes, because of it's an almost black-but-not-quite-black shade that might initially stump you.
It's for sure easier to find shoes for blue dresses when the dresses are brighter shades of the hue.
However, you'll be surprised to see how many fabulous & unexpected colors that go with a navy dress. This applies not only to shoe colors, but also to accessory colors.
And don't worry, alongside each shoe color choice, I will suggest the perfect purse color to match your navy dress too!
Oh, & these proposed shoe color choices are all perfect shoes to wear with skinny jeans that are deep indigo or cobalt-ish blue too!
Then again, what shoe hues don't mix with this great classic? But I digress….back to what shoes to wear with navy dresses!
RELATED POSTS:
- What color shoes with a light blue dress
- What shoes to wear with denim dresses
- What color shoes to wear with a teal dress
1. Navy Dress with Nude Shoes
Nothing not to love about wearing nude shoes (especially heels!) with a navy dress. Of course, I intend “nude” as the color matching your skin tone.
If your shoe hue matches your legs, and you're wearing a shorter dress, they'll look like they go on for miles!
However, a beige “nude”, as the ones being worn above will look fab with a navy dress, no matter your skin tone. A great nude pair of heels to have in your closet (that will last you forever & totally worth the designer price) is Stuart Weitzman's Nudist sandal & the designer's lower heeled stiletto sandal called Nudist Song, which is also amazing!
Louboutin's Pigalle Follies pump is also amazing & comes in different shades of nude. Three lovely shoes that are also striking color shoes to wear with purple dresses & outfits too!
Looking for a less expensive alternative? Try Sam Edelman's perfectly minimal Patti Strappy Sandal.
Purse color tip: A white, gold or brown purse will work best with your nude shoes & navy outfit.
Favorite Nude Heels – Each Available in Various Tones:
2. Gold Shoes with Navy Blue Dress
Ok, so these shoes aren't completely gold, but they look pretty good with this navy dress, right? Gold, unlike silver, is a warm metallic which creates a more contrasting effect when paired with a navy outfit.
Gold shoes are also the perfect shoes to wear with a navy jumpsuit too! They're also the perfect shoes to wear with a navy dress to a wedding, as they're fun and shiny!
I prefer ‘paler' golds with navy blue, but if you like more orangey gold, then go for it! Gold shoes & accessories are the perfect solutions to your “what color shoes to wear with a navy blue dress conundrum”. And also make great color shoes for cocktail dresses & wedding outfit combos.
Unfortunately the heels I'm wearing in the photo above are no longer available, but popular, wear-with-everything gold sandals, are Stuart Weitzman's minimal Nudiscurve.
Out for a pump? Sam Edelman’s Versatile Hazel Pointed Pumps is a great contender.
Feel free to scroll through the above gold shoes styles, above, for more of my favorites available in store.
Purse color tip: White or nude & if the gold you've chosen is a less saturated hue, you can also grab a small matching purse and still look stunning!
Favorite Gold Shoes & Heels:
3. Black Shoes with Navy Dress
Shoe color & navy dress planning getting you down? But more importantly, can you wear black shoes with a navy dress? I'm sure you've asked yourself that & guess what you CAN wear black shoes with a navy dress.
Funny enough I'm not the biggest fan of black dresses & navy shoes, but I love a navy outfit with a black shoe. Especially in a patent leather, particularly if the dress is a matte shade of navy like the one I'm wearing.
For specific shoe types, I love Stuart Weitzman's NudistSong strappy sandals (available here at Nordstrom). Or if you're looking for a lower price, check out this pretty sandal, here.
Sam Edelman also makes a great, simple but comfy pointed pump called the Hazel. It comes in many colors & you can take it from ballroom to boardroom to the bar!
Purse color tip: A jewelled black purse is more fun than a fully black one, which may get visually lost when carrying near your dark blue dress.
A metallic purse would look amazing as well, whether silver gold or rose gold. But don't discount a white bag. A small one can look great with this color mix!
Favorite Black Shoes & Heels:
4. Navy Dress with Silver Shoes
A navy dress with silver shoes is such a fabulous combination! I love mirror metallics, but any silver, opaque or otherwise will do.
Silver shoes & accessories look especially great with navy blue bridesmaid dresses or formal gowns. But they can be the perfect shoes to wear with a grey dress too!
Popular silver heel choices at the moment are: Leith's Chinese Laundry from Nordstrom (priced for under $100!) and J. Renée's Maressa metallic silver pointy pump.
Purse color tip: I love matching silver heels to a silver clutch. Paired with navy it never looks ‘too much' due to the neutral nature of this metal.
A white purse would look great thrown into the mix as well. Keep all other small accessories & jewelry silver, rather than gold or bronze.
Favorite Silver Shoes & Heels:
5. White Shoes with a Navy Blue Dress
If you want to play it light for the summer months, grab a pair of white heels or sandals to liven up a navy frock! I'm wearing white “Lovisa” cap-toe pumps by Alexander Wang.
Purse color tip: As with silver, you can play matchy-matchy with your white shoes & purse. Just make sure your purse is a small cross-body or clutch, otherwise it'll not only take attention away from the blue dress, but overwhelm the outfit as a whole.
Favorite White Shoes & Boots:
6. Navy Dress With Green Shoes
What color shoes with a navy dress you ask? In terms of bright colors, I'm partial to navy with green! Apple green specifically (like the Nine West pumps I'm wearing) is my absolute favorite color to pair with a dark blue anything! It creates a beautiful, yet not too eye popping because of its complimentary cool tones.
If you want to go green but are hesitant about the display of color, you can always opt for a deeper emerald green. This way, you get to keep a more subtle contrast to your dress.
Even forest green shoes can look amazing with navy, especially at work, worn with a pant/skirt suit or simple navy shift. Check out my post all about outfits with green shoes for more green shoe styling.
Purse color tip: You can either play up the look with even more color when it comes to your purse! A sunshine yellow, burnt orange, or even a hot pink clutch will look great.
If you want to keep the color party strictly on your feet, opt for a beige, white or chocolate brown purse.
Favorite Green Shoes:
7. Navy Blue Dress and Red Shoes
Red is a classic hue & works wonderfully with navy outfits, particularly dresses. It gives the look a nautical feel. Just add a navy/white striped trench to complete the style!
Nautical or not, red heels or flats, even coral heels, can perfectly complement a dark blue dress. Or any blue dress for that matter! Check out my post on how to wear red shoes for more red shoe styling tips.
Purse color tip: You'll find that a white, silver or even a gold purse (as long as kept on the smaller side) will work. Feeling ballsy & opting for red heels & navy dress at work?
Pair it with a black or beige briefcase. Although how cool would a mirror metallic silver handbag look for an edgier office look?
Favorite Red Shoes & Heels :
8. Hot Pink shoes
Nothing like adding a hot pink shoe to a navy dress to make a statement! More flirty & less serious than red, it's the perfect shoe color to wear with a casual or fancy-shmancy deep blue navy dress.
Purse color tip: You can either have a lot of fun with this & carry a yellow or green clutch, or keep it simpler with a gold or black patent purse.
Favorite Pink Shoes:
9. Purple Shoes & Navy Dresses
Purple, warm burgundy & even lavender hues look phenomenal with a navy dress or navy outfit. It detaches itself enough visually to be interesting, but doesn't overwhelm.
I love how the rhinestones from these sparkly platforms catches the navy color of the dress!
Purse color tip: I'd steer clear from matching your purse to your shoes when dealing with purple. Instead, I'd go for a bright yellow, white or silver clutch. Remember: the more formal your navy outfit, the smaller your purse ought to be!
Shop Purple Shoes:
10. Navy Dress with Brown Shoes
I'll be the first to admit that I do neglect this shoe color, but it sneakily works so well combined with different outfit colors. And of course, brown shoes look great with a navy dress!
This color shoe matches a more loose-fitting, casual dress & isn't ideal to wear with a formal or navy cocktail dress. I love brown shoes with a navy office look myself!
Purse color tip: A matching brown, orange, or even baby blue purse would look great.
Favorite Brown Shoes & Heels:
11. Leopard Print & Reptile Print Shoes
If beiges & browns are highly considered colors that go with navy blue, then leopard print or natural colored reptile prints will be a smashing hit!
And it doesn't matter if the animal print is light or dark, largely printed or small. Just make sure you pair this printed shoe with a plain navy dress.
A lace or patterned navy dress like the one I wore in the first set of pictures wouldn't work well with leopard print shoes. But the smooth navy frocks above surely do!
Purse color tip: Brown, beige, gold or a color-blocked combination of these would make a fab addition to your look!
Alright, so the selection above is in my view the best shoe hues to answer your, “what color shoes with navy dress,” question. And I truly hope I did help you along the way to shoe styling success!
As always, taste & style is subjective & you might, for instance, like wearing a pair of orange or yellow shoes with your navy outfit.
Which can look good, but may look a little “crayola” if the navy dress steers towards cobalt blue. It's really all about how the outfit works together & what you feel most comfortable in!
Favorite Leopard Shoes:
Shop Snake Print Shoes:
How About a Navy Dress with Navy Shoes?
However, I'd not pair navy dresses with navy shoes. Unless you're going to an awards show & your shoes have been dyed to match your navy dress perfectly.
A la Jessica Chastain on the 2015 Oscars red carpet here, which is the only way this pairing really works!
Last Words on What Color Shoes to Wear with a Navy Dress
As you can see, there are lots of shoe colors to match navy dresses and outfits! I hope your only dilemma on how to wear navy dressed with the right shoes now is picking the right pair!
Want to learn more about shoe colors with dresses? Check out my roundup of the best shoes to wear with a black and white dress.
All other dress styling posts, including what shoes to wear with a black dress <– right over here!
xo ShoeTease
Photography credit: Conrad Collaco
Cristina is the chief editor, fashion & shoe expert here at ShoeTease. As a seasoned stylist and women's fashion & shoe designer, she boasts over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. She loves crafting effortless outfits for ladies both online and off and believes that styling advice should be accessible to everyone. Whether you're a styling pro or just starting out, Cristina's here to guide you on your fashion journey! Learn more.
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Mandi
Wednesday 1st of December 2021
I am wearing a short navy dress for a date night with my husband for our anniversary this month. Going to a upscale restaurant. What color shoes should I wear? I do love edgy stuff.
ShoeTease
Friday 3rd of December 2021
That sounds so fun! If you like edgy styles, why not opt for a black satin (or leather) shoe with some sparkle or dazzle, like rhinestone or metallic stud embellishments. I absolutely love these heels. If not, you can choose a pair of clear heels or hologram heels. Otherwise, any metallic shoe will do - be it gold or silver!
Donna
Thursday 14th of October 2021
I have a navy lace lace with soft blush pink underlay, Iam 65 and it’s a fit n flare style, I have worn once it for my sons wedding, with Boden navy stiletto shoes, but they were very uncomfortable, changed to silver for evening, should I look for blush pink shoes now
ShoeTease
Friday 15th of October 2021
I love silver shoes for day or night. Blush pink also look fabulous, but no need to buy another pair, if you already have a good pair of silver ones!
Michele
Monday 15th of March 2021
I will be wearing a long chiffon navy blue standard mother of the groom dress to my son's wedding in September. It will be a rustic theme but not country. I wear orthotics and I am not steady in heels. I would like to wear a pair of boots, dressy yet with a reasonable block heel. I have seen a variety of boots I would consider, from metallic to floral, or even victorian/steampunk. I have not yet found any images of boots with formal dresses. Can you advise please?
ShoeTease
Thursday 18th of March 2021
This is a tricky pairing, because formal gowns aren't usually worn with boots, unless they are narrow sock boots with a pointed toe (that are not conducive to orthotics). There are also a variety of shoe brands that have removable insoles to help facilitate orthotics, including Vionic Shoes. You can also opt for a pair of ballerina flats. That being said, if you're wanting to wear boots with your mother-of-the-groom dress, a pair of fun metallic/floral boots or a steampunk would make a fun statement! I would just steer clear from casual, everyday boots, which, in my opinion, would not be suitable for the event or outfit. I hope this helps!
Carolyn Milton Beckwith
Thursday 16th of January 2020
I am wearing a navy blue cocktail dress with rhinestone button the sleeves. I am thinking silver heel shoes with rhinestones, would that be too much
ShoeTease
Thursday 16th of January 2020
Since I can't see the dress or shoes, or know what event you're going to, I would say that it all depends on how many rhinestones are on each item. I would say that if one has a minimum amount of sparkle and the other has a bit more, that should work just fine.
However, if both the dress sleeves and shoes are heavily ornate with rhinestones I would switch out the shoes to something more simple. In the end, however, it depends on how the outfit makes you feel. If you love how it looks, go for it!
Cindy
Saturday 18th of March 2017
I have a navy and white stripe dress. There's just as much white as navy. 3/4 sleeve semi fitted dress. What color shoes with it?
ShoeTease
Monday 20th of March 2017
Hi Cindy! I would opt for white or silver for more of a Spring vibe, especially to a wedding or formal event. However, if you're wanting to add a punch of color, a hot pink or yellow shoe would be so fun & playful. But if black shoes are what you have in your closet, thoes will look subdued and classic. For more casual looks with a partially navy dress, camel colored shoes work great, especially in the Summer. Hope this helps and happy dressing! xo Cristina