If you find yourself craving a little break in your routine, consider a pair of navy blue evening shoes in lieu of the usual blacks and metallics. Though not typically regarded as the neutral of choice for most women, navy does have its time and place - and often, it works better with certain dress colors than black!
The Neutral Navy
Navy is something of a dubious choice when it comes to neutral colors. It's somehow there, yet not quite as relied on for its versatility as other neutrals. It works, but not always. It's often associated with springtime, when the sailor stripes trend appears without fail, and is thus typically seen on ballet flats, canvas skimmers and the like. It's rarely, however, chosen for its sex appeal or elegance, and for that reason is not often seen in the evening.
Choosing Navy Blue Evening Shoes
If you've decided to step - so to speak - in another direction and give navy a try, you can rest assured it's not so unusual that you won't have some variety to peruse. Of course, compared to the thousands of blacks, reds, golds, silvers and company out there, you'll find considerably fewer navies, but it's still worth the effort to find the pair that's most appropriate for your wardrobe. These options will help steer you in the right direction:
You can always count on Nina shoes to make a stylish impression on a special evening. The company specializes in elegant footwear that suits just about any occasion. The Culver heel ($23.70) features gorgeous pleats along the shiny vamp, lending the navy fabric a strongly glamorous appearance. These shoes are certainly worth their affordable price!
Stuart Weitzman is the purveyor of eye-catching evening footwear. The label's Trianglo pumps ($49.94) feature a simple, low profile heel and a clean, fabric upper embellished with a drop of triangular crystals around the ankle strap.
Opt for a simple, graceful heel, like the Chinese Laundry Jonelle ($39.99), to complement a regal dress. With its satin straps and rhinestone-encrusted buckles, it makes a demure yet elegant statement. These shoes are also suitable to wear with tailored trousers.
Want to follow the trends without sacrificing your comfort? VANELi's Madora pumps ($99.95) make it quite easy. These two-inch satin heels boast an elegant ruffle along the open toe. The ruffle itself is a great shade of rich, inky navy, while the rest of the shoe is a lighter variation of the hue. The contrast is just noticeable enough to be interesting.
How to Style Navy Dress Shoes
You've chosen your navy blue evening shoes, but how do you plan to wear them? Prove the naysayers wrong and show just how versatile this sophisticated, classic color really is. It can be worn on an evening out with so many complementary clothes. Consider these options:
- Navy provides sharp contrast for an elegant gold metallic dress. If your shoe is embellished, stick with a simple style, but if not, opt for a dress with minimal décor (such as light beading along the neckline). This will create a beautifully balanced look from head to toe.
- Take a risk! Go for bold on your evening out in a yellow chiffon dress. Yellow and navy are natural partners, but it's important to choose a shade that isn't neon in appearance - it should be soft, warm and appropriate for a special occasion.
- A blue dress and navy heels? Don't think twice - so long as your dress is the right shade of blue. Don't go for navy, or you'll risk painting too much of a "matchy-matchy" image. The key is to choose a jewel-toned shade, like cobalt, which contrasts just slightly with the navy but doesn't create an imbalanced look. Lauren Conrad pulled this look off beautifully at the MTV Movie Awards in 2008!
