I do have another question. The first time I ever saw your blog was in a post about visually framing your outfits–matching your shoes to your hair. This was another epiphany! I am a very visual person, and this makes so much sense to me. I have blond hair. Does this mean I should never wear black shoes, or are you saying that if I have a choice, to choose shoes that tonally match my hair? Even if I’m wearing black pants? I wear a lot of black, and my favorite shoes are black (including my cowboy boots! just like in your sample outfits in this particular post). How would you advise that I apply this information to my clothing choices?
Wearing a shoe in your hair colour is one way of doing visual grouping. It’s particularly useful when you are wearing a light coloured outfit and you don’t have matching shoes, and if you don’t have dark brown or black hair, your black shoes look out of place.
But when you think about it – visual grouping is all about working with colours in a harmonious way. You can:
Match your shoes to:
- your hemline – skirt/dress or pant
- your hosiery
- your skin
- your hair
- your scarf
- your necklace
- your top
So if you’re wearing black pants and want your legs to look longer – match your shoes to your pants (ie wear black shoes).
If you are wearing beige trousers and want your legs to look longer – match your shoes to your pants (ie wear beige shoes).
If you are wearing a red necklace and a yellow dress, your options for shoes would be: red, yellow, skin colour or your hair colour!
It really is that simple. Just match your shoes to something in your outfit and you’ll be doing some visual grouping!
Thank you! I also have light hair but wear dark pants frequently I am often stumped onmy shoes. I may print this to assist..brilliant
Angela – there are so many shoe options – which you choose depends on if you have shorter or longer legs, and of course the style of the shoe too!
I’m 5’5 so average legs, but a good resource just the same 🙂
Leg length isn’t necessarily to do with height – it’s to do with body proportions – you can be tall but short legged = find out more here https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2011/12/how-to-measure-your-body-proportions.html
Hi Imogene … Do you know of a resource in the U.S. that
Provides color consultations?
I had my colors done 16 years ago but would like to have them updated
For my less youthful self 🙂
Thank you
HI Teri, Where are you located?
Southern California
Let me find out for you!
Thanks for sharing your tips Imogen. A simple visual grouping technique is to wear 1 colour and simply adding another item in the same colour. This could be via clothes, accessories or make up. E.g Red top and red lipstick.
http://www.lifestyleandimage.co.uk
I’ve heard of book ending with shoe and hair color. But I no longer color and have nearly pure white hair. I do not see myself wearing white shoes!
Try silver instead!
Perfect solution! Can’t believe I did not think of it!
Thank you!
Hi Imogen, can nude shoes, like pumps or ballet flats, be worn with medium-weight fabrics of darker values- I mean matching nude shoes to skin when wearing dresses and skirts more suitable for colder weather? Won’t they look too Summery? Thank you
I would normally wear tights in a colour then match the shoe to them – so nude tights, nude shoes, black tights black shoes.
Can i wear a shoe and just repeat it’s colour in my bracelet to create visual grouping?
I rarely wear jewellery to office and therefore the only accesory i can think about is bracelets.
Thanks
No reason not to – but it’s good to repeat it closer to your face as well to draw attention up to it (if your shoe colour is quite different from anything else in your outfit)