How to choose the right shoes for prom

March 5, 2010 Comments (0)

Choosing shoes for prom night can be difficult. After all, you want to look and feel like a million, but you also want to be comfortable. Remember that going the matchy-matchy route isn’t required to look great for prom. Keeping colors, fabrics and details coordinated between your prom dress and shoes is the most important thing. Things don’t have to be a dead-on match, but rather create a look that reads well when worn together.

Metallic

Metallic formal shoes can go with almost any color of dress. Remember you want to keep colors in the same family, so if your dress is a cool tone like purple or blue, stick with silver shoes. Likewise for warm tones such as red or yellow, which look best with gold shoes. If you are wearing a metallic dress, choose shoes that are a few shades darker than the dress. This adds dimension to the outfit and also saves you from running around town (or the web) in search of the same tone of silver.

Brights

If you really want to have fun, choose bright shoes. The shoes can serve as the focal point for a neutral dress, or contrast another bright color. If your dress has any type of overlay or colored detailing such as hot pink rosettes, play up the bright hue by matching your shoes. The same for a brightly colored sash that wraps at the waist. It’s your prom. You’re youthful and want to look modern, so playing up fun colors is right on point.

Black

Black shoes can be interesting. Refrain from the standard simple pump and go for something a bit more sassy. Strappy sandals, rhinestone detailing, or beading can add oomph to plain black shoes. If you are sticking with black shoes because your dress is black, consider making a statement with bright shoes instead (see above). If you want a classic shape, go with a D’orsay silhouette or a peep toe, which lends a traditional look that isn’t as boring as plain pumps.

Make sure you break your prom shoes in before the big day. While you don’t want to risk ruining them by wearing them out (and likely have nowhere to wear them to), wear them around the house. You need to get used to feel of the shoes on your feet and make sure you can comfortably walk in them before prom. Pop on your MP3 player and bust a few dance moves in them as well; after all, you want to be sure they can handle the heat of the dance floor.

Samantha Cabrera