How versatile are black sandals for summer (vs brown/nude)? - YouLookFab Forum

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How versatile are black sandals for summer (vs brown/nude)?

Marigold

I got a pair of black gladiator wedges today, but was very torn in the store trying the same pair in the black/taupe/brown colors. I loved the taupe but was told they're very low contrast to my very pale (I'll tan in summer though LOL) skin and the black looked much better. I also liked the cognac color, but it seemed very casual (and I have a pair of dark brown flat glad and cognac pair of cork wedges from last summer), and wanted something different. The black IS a nice contrast but how versatile is it? It looks perfect with skinnies but how about skirts and shorts (I was thinking denim boyfriend shorts and bermuda shorts mainly). Is a sandal that blends in the skin color a no-no? How about the 'leg lengthening look'? I never really wore black sandals so they seem a bit striking on my feet with shorts (but I need a versatile pair, not a 'skinny jeans only' one).
Oh, here are the sandals:
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/sm+wom.....Ref=SEARCH
Dilemmas, dilemmas... Any thoughts?

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Antje

Veteran

Cute sandals! Can't go wrong with either color, I think. I don't know your overall style and what colors the majority of your pants, skirts and dresses are (besides the denim bermudas you mention), so this is just based on personal preference: I like lighter tones for summer shoes. I think nude would be extremely versatile and you'd get a lot of mileage out of them. I also like metallics for their versatilty. But that said, black is super versatile as well, and will definitely work great with denim.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I t depends on whether your summer wardrobe is more black based or brown based. I wore my black gladiator sandals to death last summer.

Louise

Veteran

As a personal choice I always go for lighter coloured shoes in the Spring/ summer I find black too 'heavy' x

rae

(website)

Veteran

If you wear a fair amount of black or have dark hair, black shouldn't be a problem. I wear plenty of dark colors in summer, personally. However, if your wardrobe is heavy on pastels and is very low contrast, black might indeed look too heavy.

Marigold

Thank you
@ Rae- you just nailed it at the head lol, my wardrobe (for summer at least) is predominantly lighter and pastel - I own a single black tank top and a black/white polka dot one, other than that it's florals, blues, couple orange, greens, grays and whites. As for bottoms, it's still a bit 'work in progress' but mostly on the lighter side as well... I guess I need to get out sans child and spend some quality time in DSW and try them on again without rush ;).

qfbrenda

Veteran

I like the light metallic color better, especially with the colors you wear in the summer. I don't mind black sandals and have a pair myself, but they are thongs. They aren't as dominating on the foot as gladiators would be.

Aida

Veteran

Isabella I must chime in and say that even with a black/gray based wardrobe and dark hair, black isn't always the most versatile sandal! I have tried and returned several black sandals because they simply look too heavy, even though I wear primarily black/gray/white, have nearly-black hair, and light skin. If I want "dark" sandals I'm going with pewter/bronze, and if I want light then nude/white. The only outfit I was able to put together where the black worked was, oddly enough, when I was wearing ALL white. I do need to experiment further with this though, just wanted to let you know what I found

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I concur with Aida; I also that black is a heavy look for spring/summer - all of my sandals are some version of brown or grey and get plenty of use!

Diana

Veteran

I like my black sandals! But I do have to agree that it may not be the most versatile color. If I could only have one pair of sandals I'd probably go for bronze or pewter, depending on skin tone.

That said, I have more than one pair of sandals including several black pairs that get worn often. I do have dark hair and am team high contrast. Are you team low or high contrast? If you're low contrast I agree the black will probably not get worn as often.

Marigold

Thank you for the insight...
@ Aida: I love the look of an all white outfit with black accessories and black sandals - but would I wear it? no... or at least not very often.. And I definitely don't need another pair of closet orphans!
@ Diana: very interesting about Team High/Low Contrast, haven't thought of it either! Just shows how much still there is to learn for me.. I do have dark hair (dark brown, not black) but am planning to go lighter for summer, for all it's worth. Thinking of contrasts, I'm more inclined towards low contrast, as much as I love high-contrast outfits, I am not good at styling them. Low contrast items appeal to me more on myself - I'm a bit of a fashion coward

Anonymous

Black sandals look very heavy for daytime to me; however, I live in a hot climate and I don't wear black much in the spring/summer.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree that your wardrobe should help you decide. For me, black sandals are indispensible -- in fact, I'm going a little crazy trying to find a cute replacement for a pair of black flat sandals I've nearly worn out! But I have dark hair and a lot of black in my wardrobe, even in summer pieces, because I like prints with black in them.

In fact, I just bought nude sandals (yesterday's WIW) and am working a bit to adjust to working a lighter shoe into my spring/summer outfits.

If you want a little contrast and something other than tan or brown, but not as stark as black, try a metallic like pewter. There are some nice metallic options out there now and they're very versatile. It got to 85F here today, so I wore a summer dress with some new metallic flat sandals (again, my old ones were nearly falling apart), and I like the look a lot.

rosee

Veteran

second the advice above.

Also, if you already have cognac sandals and feel that the taupe is too light, why not try the olive ones? They are a darker neutral, will go well with pastels and lighter colors but still provide a more solid base to your outfits. I have a pair of Ecco t-strap wedges that are between an olive and beige color and I find them very versatile for all my summer outfits. They are actually a very flattering neutral sandal considering that I have dark brown hair (not too light or too heavy).

Jonesy

Veteran

I think this is really a matter of personal preference :). I have multiple pairs of black sandals that I wear almost constantly all summer--they're my favorite color of sandal! But I wear black a lot, and don't care for light-colored sandals, typically, for myself. If you barely have any black in your summer wardrobe and you don't have black hair, however, I'm not sure black sandals are the ones for you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Jonesy said. Black sandals are excellent for certain outfits, AND bookending black hair.