This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
We recently received a question about how to make black shoes work during the summer (and if you have other questions, be sure to ask us at [email protected].) Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? Yet black shoes, particularly heels, can work well with summer outfits, especially if you’re off to a less-than-casual dinner party or your office doesn’t observe any sort of warm-weather induced lax dress codes.
In fact, in these cases, a pair of black heels can help keep the rest of your summer clothes looking crisp and pulled together.
To begin, keep the shoe simple, with a high heel that’s not too chunky and thus won’t overwhelm your look. In this vein, it’s also a good idea to wear a shoe that’s relatively hardware-free (even though we know studs and zippers are a growing trend – but they can wait until fall.)
Light-colored, pretty jewelry injects a summery feel into any outfit, and a floral jersey dress that’s a tad on the dark side will look seasonally-appropriate yet won’t contrast too much with the black heels. Lastly, a bright bag that’s not too big will inject a shot of color into the ensemble without taking center stage.
MICHAEL Michael Kors Jamesport Bag, $248
Anthropologie Gilded Cradle Earrings, $98
Alexis Bittar Long-Stemmed Iris Brooch, $375
For more advice, check out our guides on what to wear with a black summer dress and how to make those harem pants work.