Ask the Edit: Shoes for Navy Tights

Tights weather is here.  Good news, less leg shaving.  Bad news, what shoes to wear?

Abra, help!

I was getting dressed this morning and put on a navy dress with navy tights and could not figure out what shoes to wear. The grey suede shoes I wear with navy in the spring and summer looked out of place against the darktights, and black shoes made it look like I got dressed in the dark and didn’t realize they weren’t the same color.

What shoes do you recommend with navy tights? Do I just need to go find a pair of navy shoes and deal?

Thanks! – DB 

You have a few options with a navy dress.  Let’s go through them one-by-one.

Option One: Wear black tights and black shoes with a navy dress.

For a long time this was considered faux pas, but a few years ago Donna Karan did black and navy together and it totally worked.  You just have to make sure it looks intentional.  So bring in some black jewelry — like this COS necklace, this black J.McLaughlin cuff, or these Soko Contrast earrings — to pull the look together.  If you need a blazer, try this Nine West inverted notch blazer.

Option Two: Dark grey heels.

While many shades of grey look nice with navy separates and tights, the darker they are, the better they look.  Try these W Concept heels in suede.

Option Three: Burgundy pumps.

It’s a bit of unconventional option, but a pair of dark burgundy pumps can work.  Try these Taryn Rose pumps or these Ann Taylor pumps.  For something under-$100, try these cute Gap pumps.

Again, this works best if you pull it together.  Try a burgundy bag, like this Milly Astor bag.  If you need something else, try a burgundy ring.

Option Four: Navy pumps.

This is actually the trickiest of all the solutions.  Why?  Because you need tights the same color as the dress, and shoes that match the tights and the dress.  So you have to find three pieces in a similar-enough navy that the colors will blend.  Yikes.

These Brooks Brothers kitten heels are nice, as are these Michael Kors flex heels.

Good luck finding the right options for you.  I finally gave up on navy tights a few years ago and went back to flesh-toned nylons.  It’s not nearly as convenient a solution, but it works.

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