Reader Question: I am Serene palette, live in a place where we get very harsh winters. Lots of snow, slush, very cold. My hair has gone grey. I’m having trouble figuring out how “winterize” my light palette- particularly in the footwear department!
Spring/fall require a heavier shoe but not always a winter boot. I’ve got some great pale Serene coloured pants- cream, pink, pale blue and purple corduroy – but “winterizing” these colours is proving a challenge for footwear. I seem to just wear grey ankle booties, end of story. Can you suggest options? With pictures?
What Colour Shoes to Wear With Light Coloured Trousers in The Cooler Months
When you have a light colour palette, as you have light coloured hair and look better in an overall lighter coloured outfit, the cooler months can feel harder to dress for as so often winter clothes are darker in colour. And yes it used to be hard to find anything lighter for winter, but there are now lots of options in shoe colour that will still work with your ideal value.
Avoid black or anything dark, with your light colouring it will really drag the eye down and look heavy. Instead, look for neutrals that relate to your palette and colouring.
For those coloured pants, where you don’t want to have to buy a matching shoe colour, and you already own a light grey boot, there are some other great neutral options to select from. Look for other soft, light neutral colours such as ivory, mushroom, light taupe and cool beige which will easily work with your colouring and the light bottoms and not stand out or look out of place.
If you have warm colouring, your shoe colour options are the colours of sand, camel and tan for your lighter coloured trousers. Here are some examples of warmer light coloured boots that will work well with your lighter coloured winter trousers.
What Styles of Shoes to Wear with Bootleg or Flared Jeans
Reader Question Continues: My next question is footwear again. I bought a pair of grey flare jeans – I have always found a bootcut works well for my shape. They fit me well – I’m an 8/O ish. It’s the shoes again! What looks good with a slightly bigger flared pant?
A wider leg pant needs a heaver heel and sole as it creates balance with the width of the leg opening at the hem, have a look at my guide here on choosing shoes to suit the style of your trousers. Grey boots will work really well with a bootcut or flare – consider wedge or stacked heels (if you want a heel) or a flat boot with a chunkier sole.
Looking for light colours that relate to your hair colour is always the easiest way to select your best neutrals, no matter if you have lighter or darker colouring.
Want to Discover Your Optimal Palette of Colours?
If you’re not sure of your best colours because your colouring has changed over time and you don’t want to waste money on the wrong clothes and shoes, you can get a personal colour analysis online with me here, or as part of my complete colour, style and wardrobing program 7 Steps to Style. Knowing your best palette of colour can really change your wardrobe (and life) for the better! Find out how here.
Great post. Thanks, Imogen. As a Tranquil, I really struggle with winter shoe choices had always gone before but now I know what to look for.
Imogen – you are simply the best. This has driven me crazy for years. With limited access to in person shopping options (rural community far from shopping option + pandemic) I was constantly haunting the internet with no luck. I’m three pairs of shoes better now! Thank you!!!
That’s fantastic that you’ve found some! Glad to have helped