Guide: Shoes for Your Outfit

Shoes for your outfit

Real outfits for each skirt, boot and flat shoe, with what works and what to skip.

Skirts and their shoes

Satin maxi skirt

Pointed kitten heel

A sharp toe on a low heel stretches the line of the leg under a floaty skirt.

Thick soled boot

A thick sole is too heavy for light satin. The two fight each other.

Midi skirt

Knee high boots

With no bare stretch between skirt and shoe, the outfit reads as one long line.

Bulky flat ankle boot

Skip ankle boots with a midi hem. They cut the leg at the widest point, and a bulky flat one makes the skirt look heavy.

Mini skirt

Ballet flats

With this much leg on show, keep the shoe low and quiet so the hem stays the focus.

Strappy stiletto

Very thin straps and a tall heel make a short skirt look unbalanced and fragile.

Pleated midi

Stiletto heel

A slim, tall heel adds height under all that movement and stops the skirt taking over.

Chunky sneakers

A chunky sneaker fights the proportions of a midi hem.

Pencil skirt

Slingbacks

The open back and clean line echo a fitted skirt and finish the outfit neatly.

Platform shoe

A platform is too wide for a narrow skirt. Save it for a full A-line.

A-line maxi skirt

Heeled boots

A tall, thin heel lifts a long flowing hem off the ground and keeps the line long.

Flip flops

Flip flops look unfinished next to a long, dressed hem.

Five boots worth owning

Knee high boots

Skinny jeans

Tuck slim jeans into a tall shaft under a roomy sweater: the quickest way to look styled.

Ankle boots

Straight jeans

The boot you will reach for most, since it works with almost everything you own.

Western boots

Straight jeans

A current favourite whose stitching and heel give jeans and a tee some attitude.

Pointed toe boots

Long wide leg jeans

The narrow tip gives a loose or flowing shape a cleaner finish.

Low heel bootie

Skinny jeans

Too cold for sneakers or loafers? A low heel bootie keeps the easy feel with a warmer, neater finish.

No heel? Start here

Loafers

Long wide leg jeans

A chunky loafer gives wide denim some weight, so the hem does not swallow the foot.

Retro runner sneakers

Wide trousers

The chunky sole balances loose shapes, and a neutral colour goes with almost everything.

Slim sneakers

Long wide leg jeans

A flat sneaker under a long, wide leg keeps the shape easy, with the hem skimming the shoe.

Flat bootie

Straight jeans

Too cold for sneakers or loafers? A flat bootie keeps the easy feel with a warmer, neater finish.

Ballet flats

Barrel jeans

Barrel denim already has shape, so a flat keeps it light. Let the hem stop at the ankle and the shoe becomes the detail.

Knee high boots

Leggings

Leggings into flat tall boots make an easy, comfortable line, and the tall shaft keeps it neat.

Which bottoms go with which shoes

Pick a bottom to see the shoes that go with it and the ones to skip, or pick a shoe to see its bottoms.

Skinny jeans

Wear with: Knee high boots, Low heel bootie, LoafersSkip: Chunky sneakers

Wear with

Knee high boots

Tuck slim jeans into a tall shaft under a roomy sweater: the quickest way to look styled.

Low heel bootie

Too cold for sneakers or loafers? A low heel bootie keeps the easy feel with a warmer, neater finish.

Loafers

A sleek loafer suits a slim leg, especially with the hem cropped to show a little ankle.

Skip

Chunky sneakers

A thick sole next to a very slim leg throws the proportions off and makes the leg look thinner.

See all shoes in your colours →

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