You found your gorgeous dress? Congratulations! All that’s left is to choose a pretty pair of shoes to go with it, but the choice isn’t always easy: should they match the color of your outfit? With heels? With straps? Open-toed? Here are a few tips to help you make your choice.
1. Prioritize comfort
It’s often tempting to go all pretty and buy 12 cm stilettos or an exquisite pair of mules, but keep in mind that your gait will be more noticeable than the shoe itself. So opt for heels of a height you’re used to.
You could also consider the flat option, but be aware that the gait is often less graceful than in heels. Don’t hesitate to ask someone to film you and analyze the way you walk according to the model.
Also, avoid choosing a model you’re not used to in the belief that you’ll be able to find a more comfortable pair for the evening. The limits of this strategy quickly become apparent when you have a long dress: if the hem has been made for 15 cm heels but you can only stand them an hour before putting on your sandals, you’ll be walking on the hem for the rest of the day…
So opt for safe values and wear a model of similar height to the pumps in your wardrobe, so you can keep them on your feet for as long as possible. And don’t forget that new shoes are often stiff, so wear them for a few hours a day before the event to get them to adapt to your feet. You’ll avoid blisters and injuries.
2. Balance the silhouette
It’s important to think of the silhouette as a whole, and shoes play a big part in the construction of the look. If you’re wearing a very short dress, opt for a slightly high shoe; a simple pair of babies with an ankle strap will dress up the leg, while a open pump could give it a vulgar look. If the event takes place in winter, a pretty pair of high boots will do the job nicely.
Knee-length or midi skirts go well with most shoe styles. For a long dress, be careful to leave a few centimetres of skin visible before the hemline and avoid straps on the front of the foot, so as not to overload the silhouette, as a long dress is already imposing. You can also opt for a pair of delicate sandals.
3. Think about colors
Color, like shape, needs to be worked into the whole silhouette. There’s no such thing as a bad choice of color – the important thing is to know what information you want to convey. For example, you’ve chosen an elaborate slit dress, but you’re a little self-conscious about your wide legs: choose sober or nude-colored shoes to draw the eye to the whole silhouette, rather than focusing on the leg. If, on the other hand, your dress is very pure and you’d like to add a little pep to it, you could very well choose a gorgeous pair of green manolo blaniks !
The only thing to watch out for is to avoid shades of colors that are too close together: white/cream, green/blue, orange/pink… However, this isn’t a problem with darker shades: blues, dark grays or browns go very well with black pumps.
As you can see, you can have a lot of fun with shoe colors, as long as you respect tip number 2: a balanced silhouette! The important thing is simply to avoid creating a “massive” effect around the feet.
I hope these few tips have helped you choose the perfect pumps to wear with your beautiful dress. Below, you’ll find a selection of boutiques in Brussels offering beautiful designs for ceremonies.
Still haven’t found your dress for this summer’s weddings? Contact me to discuss your desires!
Repetto, Galerie du Roi, 1000 Bruxelles
Jonak, av. Louise 50A, 1050 Ixelles
Scott’s, av. de la toison d’Or, 1050 Ixelles
Bocacci, rue du bailli 74, 1050 Ixelles
Christian Louboutin, pl. du Grand Sablon 21, 1000 Bruxelles
Unisa, Rue de Grétry 12, 1000 Bruxelles