Are there "rules" to wearing a black sandal?

Cilleena

or other black shoe with shorts or dresses? I know that we are going for a long leg line and black creates a high contrast against a bare leg, thereby shortening the leg line. Are there "rules" for off-setting this? Black sandals better for shorter skirts? Lower vamps? Or is it better to stick with nude sandals?

I've seen some pretty amazing looking black sandals featured on many WIWs.

14 years ago

Dressing

7 replies

Latest reply was from Diana

Maya

Veteran

I wear chunky, high vamp black sandals and booties with bare legs and don't own a single pair of nude shoes...but then, I am a rebel.

Shorter hemlines, lower vamp, and heels all help if the look concerns you.

14 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I don't think there are particular rules, just what you are looking to achieve with your look. Some really like the impact of strong, chunky black footwear with delicate dresses and short skirts. I'm more of the strappy inclination myself

14 years ago

Kim

Veteran

I'm not a fan of black sandals for me because I have such pale skin, it creates too much contrast for my liking. I have seen it done well on others though, especially here.

I think the only "rule" I would apply is that if you don't have black hair to bookend the look then you would probably need some black elements in your outfit to make things more cohesive. Then again as others will probably show rules are made to be broken! LOL (Except the "Have fun with fashion" Angie's #1 rule!)

14 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

I'm with Maya--I can't imagine summer without black footwear! Whenever I buy a nude shoe it becomes an orphan, because I have come to realize that I just don't like the look with my dark hair. But I can admire the look on others!

14 years ago

morethanbeige

Veteran

I am short and can certainly benefit from long-leg-line strategies, but I still love the look of my black DV monster wedges with dresses and shorts.

14 years ago

Cilleena

Veteran

Ah! So it's really a personal preference sort of thing? It's not like leg line suicide The way a lot of cropped pants are?

14 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I like black and other high contrast (think bright colors) sandals, and wear them all the time. I am firmly on Team chunky shoes anyway, so my shoe is usually going to be big and bold anyway regardless of color. I don't really own any nude shoes... partly because "nude" is never actually nude on my East Asian skin anyway, so it tends to just look a little weird and off. I do have dark hair though so it's probably easier for me because there's always built in bookending going on.

14 years ago

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