Here's Exactly What to Wear With Red Shoes

To put it in beauty terms: Red shoes are like a red lip. We love them on other people, but we never know how to master the look ourselves. Do you pair with more red? Do you keep the rest of your look simple? We know it can feel like a daring thing to try, but no longer—because in my own quest to figure out what looks best with red shoes, I’ve gotten it down to an exact science and narrowed down the top three scenarios in which the standout footwear looks best. See what they are below and then continue to shop my favorite red shoes right now.

More Red

While overly attempting to match your shoes to your outfit can sometimes work against you, when it comes to the color red, we say go for it. Whether it’s a pop of the color in your bag or a head-to-toe crimson look, somehow it just works. But no need to just take our word for it—see the proof in the outfits below.

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(Image credit: Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images)

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(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

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(Image credit: Acielle/Style du Monde)

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(Image credit: Acielle/Style du Monde)

Printed Dresses

There’s something about the combination of a printed dress and red shoes that just works. Extra points if your dress has a hint of red already in it, but even if it doesn’t—you’re likely still safe.

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(Image credit: Acielle/Style du Monde)

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(Image credit: Christian Vierig/Getty Images)

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(Image credit: Acielle/Style du Monde)

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(Image credit: Berthelot/Getty Images)

Neutrals—Including Denim

At this point, we always consider denim a neutral, but if you didn’t know, it especially applies here. As you’ll see below, when combined with any number of neutrals (tans, black, white, grays, and, of course, jeans), a red shoe not only pairs well, but it also gives your look an exciting edge.

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(Image credit: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

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(Image credit: Acielle/Style du Monde)

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(Image credit: Acielle/Style du Monde)

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(Image credit: Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images)

Now Shop Our Favorite Red Shoes

Editor-at-Large

Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. It was a less expected route, seeing as she was graduating from business school at USC when this all began, but it has turned out to be the best one for her. Fast-forward to 2020, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was an intern starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to classic pieces and neutral basics but will always make an exception for something colorful, printed, or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a good party is dressing up for one. On weekdays, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious for dinner and trying to force her husband to watch 90 Day Fiancé.