As a fashion expert, I’m often asked if it’s okay to pair a white dress with red shoes. The short answer is yes, you absolutely can wear white dresses with red shoes! While the combination may seem bold to some, it can actually create a very stylish and elegant look when done right. In this article, I’ll go over some tips for wearing white dresses with red shoes, show examples of how to style the look, and discuss if there are any fashion “rules” against mixing these colors.
Tips for Wearing White Dresses with Red Shoes
Here are some tips to follow when wearing white dresses with red shoes:
- Aim for a bright, true red shoe – Soft muted reds may blend in too much with a white dress.
- Be mindful of the dress silhouette – A sleeker more modern white dress can pair well with a bold red heel, while a feminine floral white sundress may call for a red flat or wedge.
- Accessorize minimally – Let the white dress and red shoes be the stars and avoid competing jewelry or bags.
- Play with proportions – Try pairing a short flirty white dress with some tall red heels for drama.
- Consider red tights or scarves – Add punchy red tights under a white dress or tie a red scarf at the neckline.
Keeping these tips in mind will help you pull off wearing white and red together in a stylish, thoughtful way.
Styling a White Dress with Red Shoes
Here are some gorgeous ways to style a white dress with red shoes for different occasions:
For Daytime
- A casual white sundress with red flats or sandals
- A wrap white dress with red wedges for brunch or a day event
- A fit and flare white dress with red pumps for the office
- A white shift dress with a red handbag and heels for daytime cocktails
For Cocktail Parties
- An off the shoulder white cocktail dress with red stilettos
- A form fitting white midi dress with red strappy heels
- A white wrap dress with red tights and pointy toe pumps
For Evening
- A white evening gown with red gemstone heels
- A mermaid white dress with red lace-up heels
- A white slip dress with red pumps for an after hours look
As you can see, white dresses with red shoes can work for all sorts of occasions when styled creatively!
Are There Fashion Rules Against Wearing White and Red?
When it comes to fashion “rules,” the combination of wearing white and red together has a few caveats to consider:
- Traditionally, there was a rule that women should not wear true red shoes to their wedding, as the red shoes would take attention away from the bride’s white dress. However, this rule has relaxed over time, and now many brides choose to wear red shoes on their big day!
- Some old fashion rules stated that red and white should be avoided together as they can seem too patriotic and costume-y, like a candy striper’s uniform. However, when styled in a chic modern way, this color pairing looks far from a costume.
- Red shoes used to be considered a bold, risque choice with white outfits, especially white dresses which were linked to purity and innocence. But red shoes have become much more mainstream and accepted in recent decades.
So while there were some outdated unwritten fashion rules around mixing white dresses and red shoes, those notions have changed. Today this color combination is widely embraced by fashionistas when styled in a thoughtful way.
Expert Tips for Pulling Off White Dresses with Red Shoes
To help you feel confident rocking white dresses with red shoes, here are my top expert tips:
- Go for bright, true red shoes rather than orangey reds or deeper wines which won’t pop as much.
- Aim for a more fitted, structured white dress so the silhouette contrasts with the bold shoes.
- Add some visual interest to your white dress like lace accents, embroidery or layering to keep the look sophisticated.
- Make sure the red shoes feel cohesive with the dress length – pair longer maxi white dresses with taller red heels.
- Steer clear of all-over patterns on a white dress as they can compete with red shoes – keep prints smaller.
- Stick to minimal accessories and let the white dress and red shoes take center stage.
- If you’re wearing a shorter white dress, go for opaque red tights rather than bare legs.
- Use red shoes in satin, patent or matte leather for nighttime rather than casual canvas.
Follow these tips and you’ll be looking gorgeous and stylish in your white dress paired with red shoes!
Inspiring Celebrity Examples
For even more inspiration, here are some stunning celebrity examples of wearing white dresses with red shoes:
Blake Lively
Blake Lively turned heads in a fitted ivory dress with cherry red suede pumps at the Met Gala. Her ensemble proved white and red can look mesmerizing together.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift rocked the red carpet in a plunging white gown accessorized with ruby red heels. It was a gorgeous, glamorous take on this color pairing.
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez went for a youthful look in a white eyelet dress worn with cherry colored heels. It was the perfect summery combo.
Emma Stone
At a movie premiere, Emma Stone wore a retro white dress suit with matching red heels for a mod 60’s inspired take on this trend.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian demonstrated how to nail red and white for evening, wearing a figure-hugging white column gown with vibrant red pumps.
As you can see from these examples, there are so many chic ways celebrities style white dresses with red shoes for formal and informal events.
Do’s and Don’ts
Here are some key do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when wearing white dresses with red shoes:
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Do choose bright, true red shoes. | Don’t pair white dresses with muted, orangey reds. |
| Do aim for sleek, contemporary white dress styles. | Don’t wear overly frilly, ornate white dresses. |
| Do add visual interest to white dresses with details. | Don’t wear plain white maxi dresses with red shoes. |
| Do go for taller red heels with longer dresses. | Don’t pair short white dresses with flat red shoes. |
| Do minimize other accessories. | Don’t over-accessorize and distract from the white/red combo. |
Keeping these simple do’s and don’ts in mind will ensure you’re rocking this trendy color pairing like a fashion pro!
Conclusion
White dresses with red shoes can create show-stopping style when pulled off correctly. Choosing the right shoe shade, coordinating dress silhouette and length, minimizing extras, and inspiration from celebrity looks are all key. While old fashion “rules” once dictated keeping these colors apart, modern style fans embrace this chic combination for all sorts of occasions. With the right know-how, you can confidently wear white dresses with red shoes for a bold, beautiful look.