We’re just going to throw it out there: Matching your shoes and handbag perfectly to each other is an old-school concept. It works, it looks great, and it can take the guesswork out of styling, but it’s just not a necessary guideline to follow. Especially since there are plenty of less-expected ways to cleverly piece together an outfit. If you’re ready for a new approach, too, pay attention to the looks ahead. Each of them features creative ways to make bags and shoes feel cohesive in an overall ensemble without following any hard-and-fast rules. Keep scrolling for a closer look.
Go for playful vibes all around with a cheeky handbag and shoes in a can’t-help-but-smile-when-you-see-it color.
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Does this bag match these shoes? Nope. But they make perfect sense in this head-to-toe, prints- and color-mixed ensemble.
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Instead of comparing shoes and bag, coordinate your footwear frill with the bit of ruffle by the neckline of your top.
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Polar opposites attract in this case with clean, white sneakers and the most fantastic rainbow carryall.
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When your boots have this much sparkle, you can tone down your other accessories so as to not steal the spotlight.
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Instead of coordinating your bag and shoes, keep your entire look within the same palette; that way your footwear can stand out by simply being a different color.
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If you choose a handbag that so closely coordinates with your ensemble, choose a pair of shoes that distinctly doesn’t (and vice versa).
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Try this: Match your shoes to your lipstick and your bag to your collar.
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You can coordinate shoes and bags by choosing ones in neutral colors—in this case, different neutrals.
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As cool as it might be to have a matching pair of holographic heels, it’s even more unexpected to wear this statement handbag with a monochrome skirt-and-boot combination.
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A pink bag and red shoes don’t necessarily “match,” but they’re one of our favorite clashing-color combinations.
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Fuzzy boots, meet fuzzy handbag.
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Is coordinating handbags to your twin’s (or BFF’s) coat a thing?
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This post was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
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