Stylish Ways to Wear Gray Shoes

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If you don’t have a pair of gray shoes in your closet, you’re missing out on a great opportunity! Gray shoes are so subtle and stylish that you can wear them with all kinds of different outfits. Use them to complete a casual outfit or balance out a stellar ensemble full of colors and patterns. They’re great with a suit, a dress, or jeans, and you’ll be glad you have them when you can’t decide which shoes to throw on the next time you’re walking out the door.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Casual Outfits

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  1. For this particular look, ankle boots, flats, heels, boat shoes, espadrilles, and loafers all look quite lovely. This outfit combo is especially great if you like wearing all black or darker shades of blues, purples, and greens, but still want a little variety in your wardrobe. Light gray shoes, while not colorful, do add a softer element to your outfit and can balance your look. [1]
    • Black jeans with a dark plum blouse or button-up would look nice with a light gray pair of flats, fashion sneakers, or Oxfords.
    • For a more casual outfit, pair forest-green pants with a black top and light gray flats or espadrilles.
  2. The shoe's neutrality won’t compete for visual attention and gives you a lot of fun space to play around with the elements in your outfit. Bold patterns and bright colors will look fantastic paired with subtle shoes and accessories. [2]
    • For a dressier outfit, choose a pair of gray heels or pointed-toe flats. For a more casual look, wear ballet flats or a pair or plan fashion sneakers.
    • For example, wear coral pants with a navy blue sweater. Finish it off with light gray sneakers and a silver watch.
    • For a fun date-night outfit, wear a bright red skirt and white polka-dotted blouse. Add a pair of charcoal grey kitten heels, and you’re good to go!
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  3. Darker denim looks more dressed up, while lighter denim looks more casual. To keep an outfit on the dressier side, stick with shoes like dress shoes, heels, or ankle boots. For a relaxed vibe, wear flats, loafers, or sneakers. [3]
    • For example, dark denim jeans and a nice sweater paired with gray derby shoes or ankle boots look dressy enough to wear to a dinner out with friends.
    • For a cozy look that's still chic, try wearing grey ankle boots with casual boyfriend jeans, a T-shirt, an oversized sweater, and a patterned shawl. [4]
    • A pair of light-wash jeans and charcoal-gray sneakers would look great for running errands or going to the movies.
    • For a more tailored, put-together look, wear a pair of tailored, dark-denim jeans with gray dress shoes. This is a great outfit to wear to a party or special dinner. [5]
  4. Suede shoes look soft, supple, and classy. Elevate a super casual outfit, or use them as an accompaniment with a more chic ensemble. [6]
    • A pair of tapered jeans and a plain or patterned T-shirt would look stylish and more put-together with suede Oxfords or flats.
    • For a more sophisticated outfit, combine fitted black jeans with a dressy top, like a cream blouse or a knit sweater. Add a pair of suede flats or derby shoes to complete your outfit.
  5. Instead of wearing an outdated pair of sneakers, switch things up with a nice pair of gray trainers that can transition from the gym to running errands to meeting up with friends at the park. Look for a low-top rather than a high-rise to keep your outfit on the casual side. [7]
    • A nice white tee and a pair of navy shorts would look chic and neat with gray trainers. Bring along a zip-up jacket in case things get cold!
  6. With a pair of these shoes in your closet, you’ll have something to slip on with tons of different outfits. They’re a neutral color, so they won’t compete with another color or pattern, and they don’t clash with much. Have them on hand for days when you need to grab a pair of shoes and be on your way. [8]
    • Put on your favorite pair of jeans, a black-and-white striped top, and your gray canvas sneakers for a casual yet comfortable outfit.
    • Keep things super simple with a pair of shorts and a graphic tee. Put on your canvas shoes and head out the door!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Work-Appropriate and Formal Outfits

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  1. Navy blue, charcoal gray, and black suits all look good with gray shoes. A suede material would look dapper, too, especially if you don’t want to wear a shiny shoe. [9]
    • This look is great for the office or fancy dinners or events.
  2. The most important thing with this option is that the shades of gray have to be the same. If they’re not, your outfit won’t have the same impact. [10]
    • If this feels a little too solid for you, choose a gray dress shoe that’s a shade darker than your outfit’s other gray element.
    • For an office-appropriate look, wear a pair of tailored black slacks with a light gray turtleneck. Finish the outfit with light gray kitten heels.
    • Wear a navy blue suit with charcoal gray dress shoes. Add a charcoal gray tie to bring the outfit together.
  3. If you’re going to a fancy gala or special event, gray might be a little too understated, but it’s perfect for a day at the office or an important meeting. In warmer weather, feel free to wear open-toed heels if they’re appropriate for the setting. In cooler weather, stick with closed-toed shoes. [11]
    • For example, you could wear an olive green dress with light gray heels for a neutrally-toned yet still eye-catching outfit.
    • If heels aren’t your thing, look for a pair of gray flats. Pick a pair with pointed toes for a more stylish option, or get rounded toes for a more subdued look.
    • Reader Poll: we asked 1351 wikiHow readers, and 71% agreed that the best shoes to wear with dresses and skirts are heels. [Take Poll]
    EXPERT TIP

    Veronica Tharmalingam

    Professional Stylist
    Veronica Tharmalingam is a Personal Stylist who runs her fashion consulting business, SOS Fashion, in Los Angeles, California and Paris, France. She has over 10 years of experience crafting stylish wardrobes for men and women. Veronica is also a professional model and has worked with international brands like Harrods, LVMH, and L'Oreal.
    Veronica Tharmalingam
    Professional Stylist

    Wear a nice pair of gray heels with a black pencil shirt and peach blouse. Stiletto and cone heels are especially versatile and timeless.

  4. This can be a tough look to pull off, and it won’t work for every situation. The best place to wear this combo would be to a night out or a special event where it won’t look out of place for you to be a little more creative with your fashion choices. [12]
    • Don’t wear shoes that you would wear to the gym. Fashion sneakers are the way to go with this look.
    • To keep the casual-formal vibe flowing, consider wearing a nice white or black shirt under your suit jacket rather than a button-up.
    • If a sneaker feels way too casual for you, try a pair of chukkas. They’re less dressy than a derby or Oxford shoes, but still add a slightly dressed-down element to your outfit.
  5. Blue, red, and olive pants add a lot to your look and will look great paired with gray dress shoes or heels. Always choose more fitted or tailored pants, and keep your top more neutrally-colored for a sophisticated vibe. [13]
    • Wear red skinny pants with a black blouse and dark gray suede heels for a classy outfit that works for a date or a day at the office.
    • Pair Egyptian or azure blue pants with light gray Oxfords and a kelly green sweater for a bright, fashion-forward combo.
  6. Especially if you’re wearing a suit, it’s a good idea to keep your accessories, likes your shoes and belts, the same shade of gray. Otherwise, you might look a little sloppy and mismatched. Avoid mixing gray shoes with brown belts. [14]
    • If you don’t have a gray belt that matches your shoes, opt for a black belt with a silver buckle.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What's a fun fall outfit I can style with gray ankle boots?
    Veronica Tharmalingam
    Professional Stylist
    Veronica Tharmalingam is a Personal Stylist who runs her fashion consulting business, SOS Fashion, in Los Angeles, California and Paris, France. She has over 10 years of experience crafting stylish wardrobes for men and women. Veronica is also a professional model and has worked with international brands like Harrods, LVMH, and L'Oreal.
    Veronica Tharmalingam
    Professional Stylist
    Expert Answer
    I like casual boyfriend jeans with a loose top or fun T-shirt, with an oversized sweater, ankle boots, and an animal pattern shawl.
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      Tips

      • Avoid wearing gray shoes with brown or tan pants. Gray shoes are fantastic in that they look great with almost any other color—except browns. When you start pairing those two shades, it can be tricky to create an outfit that doesn’t look haphazard or clumsy.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.tomboytoes.com/blogs/news/the-tomboy-s-guide-to-what-to-wear-with-gray-shoes
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/dbtgHEX93k8?t=56
      3. ↑ https://www.tomboytoes.com/blogs/news/the-tomboy-s-guide-to-what-to-wear-with-gray-shoes
      4. ↑ Veronica Tharmalingam. Professional Stylist. Expert Interview. 13 May 2019.
      5. ↑ https://bespokeunit.com/shoes/trouser-coordination/grey-shoes/
      6. ↑ https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/how-to-wear-mens-grey-suede-shoes
      7. ↑ https://www.fashionbeans.com/article/mens-shoes-to-wear-with-shorts/
      8. ↑ https://www.fashionbeans.com/article/best-men%27s-trainers-styles/
      9. ↑ https://www.fashionbeans.com/article/what-colour-shoes-to-wear-with-a-suit/
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/HR_VDWnXYig?t=228
      2. ↑ https://womens-fashion.lovetoknow.com/fashion-tips-women/matching-dress-shoes
      3. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/celiashatzman/2019/10/17/the-best-chic-sneakers-that-work-with-every-outfit/#3c439b087529
      4. ↑ https://bespokeunit.com/shoes/trouser-coordination/grey-shoes/
      5. ↑ https://www.tomboytoes.com/blogs/news/the-tomboy-s-guide-to-what-to-wear-with-gray-shoes

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