An orangey tomato red is one of the colours trending for Spring 2015, and the vibrant shade is as strong in footwear as it is in clothing and handbags. I’m loving it. Of course, bright red shoes were never out of style, but they took a backseat (along with other brightly coloured footwear) as fashion favoured nude-for-you shoes, metallics, pastels and black for at least five years.
The outfits below showcase an assortment of bright red shoe styles across a variety of outfits. From loafers, slipper flats and ballet flats, to classic pumps, d’Orsays, slingbacks and ankle straps. Fashionable red sneakers are fab, and although red booties can look a little “super hero”, they’re a fun option too. Combine red shoes with just about any outfit if the silhouettes and combination are to your liking.
Repeating the red elsewhere in the outfit is not essential. Red is versatile and you can wear it like a neutral. Repeat a little of the red in a bag, scarf, your nail polish, lipstick, a belt, or in the pattern of an item of clothing if that makes you feel more pulled together.
Bright red shoes create a high contrast against your skin tone and clothing, unless you’re also wearing bright red full-length trousers or jeans. They are usually the most eye-catching part of the outfit, which either makes you like them more or puts you off the concept entirely. Some think that wearing bright red shoes creates an fun statement, while others find the look jarring, mismatched and leg shortening.
My love for bright red shoes is cyclical. I tend to go through stages where I wear them for years, and then stop in favour of neutrals for a while. I loved my bright red Kate Spade pumps for years, and wore them a lot before my feet rejected the heel height. I also have a pair of very comfortable low-heeled retro tomato red Chie Mihara pumps that I haven’t worn in years because of their round toes. But I’m in the mood to wear bright red shoes again, so a flat pair with pointy toes is on my shopping list.
I like wearing tomato red shoes best with black and white, and ink and white outfit combinations. I also love bright red with light blue, turquoise and white. Over to you. What do you think of bright red shoes? Would you wear them, or do you prefer neutrals.
