Choosing the right shoes to complement a navy formal dress can seem tricky, but it doesn’t have to be! With navy being a versatile neutral color, you have lots of shoe options that will beautifully finish off your look. Here are some tips on choosing shoes that will make your navy dress look fabulous for any formal occasion.
Consider Occasion and Dress Style
First, think about the formality of the event and the specific style of your navy dress. Is it for a daytime wedding or an evening cocktail party? Does it have a sleek, modern silhouette or a full, ballgown skirt? Matching the formality of your shoes to the dress code and complementing the structure of the dress silhouette will help pull your whole look together.
Nude or Metallic Shoes for Formal Day Events
For formal daytime events like garden weddings or daytime cocktail parties, a nude or metallic high heel is a classic choice:
| Shoe Color | Style Options |
|---|---|
| Nude | Pointed toe pump, d’orsay pump, strappy sandal |
| Metallic | Ankle strap sandal, peep toe pump, slingback pump |
A nude or soft metallic shoe elongates the leg and allows the dress to take center stage. Styles like a pointed toe pump, d’orsay heel, or strappy sandal complement most navy dresses from sleek and modern to fuller, romantic silhouettes. Metallic shoes add a touch of glamour while still remaining daytime appropriate.
Black Heels for Evening Elegance
For more formal evening occasions, a black heel is a sophisticated choice. Black shoes look particularly elegant with navy:
| Heel Style | Height Options |
|---|---|
| Pointed toe pump | 2 inch kitten heel, 3 inch heel, 4 inch stiletto |
| D’orsay pump | 2 inch kitten heel, 3 inch heel |
| Ankle strap sandal | 2 inch block heel, 3 inch heel |
For black tie and evening weddings, options like a pointed toe pump, d’orsay heel, or ankle strap sandal in heights from 2 inch kitten heels up to 4 inch stilettos provide timeless elegance. Make sure to consider heel height in proportion to the skirt length and volume of your navy dress.
Metallic Shoes for Evening Glamour
For a more glamorous evening look, metallic shoes also pair beautifully with navy formal dresses:
| Metallic Shoe Style | Height Options |
|---|---|
| Peep toe platform pump | 4-5 inch heel |
| Strappy sandal | 3-4 inch heel |
| Pointed toe d’orsay pump | 2-3 inch heel |
Metallic shoes with some sheen instantly dress up a navy look. Styles like a peep toe platform pump, strappy stiletto sandal, or d’orsay heel in gold, silver, or rose gold complement navy in a more glamorous way than basic black shoes.
Additional Tips
Keep these additional tips in mind when selecting shoes for your navy formal dress:
- Match metals – choose shoes with hardware or embellishments in the same metal tone (gold, silver, rose gold) as jewelry or other accessories for a coordinated look.
- Consider skin tone – nude shoes specifically flatter warm, yellow-based complexions, while blush nude tones flatter cool pink skin tones.
- Skip bright white – opt for an off-white, ivory, or metallic over bright white which can look harsh with navy.
- Add sparkle – diamond, crystal, or gemstone embellished shoes (in silver, champagne, etc) add glamorous flair.
- Pedicure – make sure toes are presentable if shoes are open-toed.
Examples of Navy Dresses with Formal Shoe Pairings
Here are a few examples of chic shoe pairings with different navy formal dress styles:
Long Sleeve Satin Slip Dress
- Silver strappy stiletto sandals
- Nude pointy toe pumps
- Black ankle strap block heel sandals
Lace Cocktail Dress with Full Skirt
- Ivory lace peep toe pumps
- Rose gold d’orsay kitten heels
- Navy velvet platform pumps
Off the Shoulder Ballgown
- Diamond encrusted t-strap heels
- Gold ankle strap stiletto sandals
- Silver glitter pumps
Mermaid Gown with Thigh High Slit
- Black suede ankle booties
- Nude pointy toe stilettos
- Metallic strappy stiletto sandals
Conclusion
Picking the perfect shoes for your navy formal dress doesn’t have to be complicated – just think about the dress style, occasion formality, and your personal style preferences. Nude and metallic heels are elegant daytime choices, while black and metallic shoes amp up the glamour for evening. And don’t forget those finishing touches like pedicured toes and jewelry in coordinating metallic tones. With these simple tips, you’ll be able to find shoes to make your navy dress look fabulously polished from day to night!
