Should You Match Bag and Shoes? – 5 Simple Ways to Coordinate Them Without a Flaw!
Should we match our bag to our shoes? This is one of those questions that lingers in the back of our heads every time we see a fabulous purse or a pair of shoes we want to buy and immediately begin to wonder “But what am I going to wear them with”? The short answer is – there’s always something! Fashion is a free form of self-expression. And while there are certain rules we aim to follow so that we don’t end up looking like clowns (no offense to the clown community), once you know them, you can afford to break them. So what’s the verdict on the age-old question of whether we should match bag and shoes or not? Here’s the final word of the experts!
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Should You Match Bag and Shoes?
Think of shoes and bags as sisters. They can be identical twins, have similar features, or completely different appearances, for one reason or another. There is a mindset that has been instilled in us by fashion companies, and more specifically retailers, that once we buy a new pair of shoes we should immediately proceed to acquire a matching bag. While there is an aesthetic appeal in this approach, at its core it’s based purely on consumerism. There are many ways to pair your shoes with your bag depending on the effect you want to create with your overall outfit. They can be used as a subtle addition to a more extravagant look or as a statement – the choice is entirely yours!
How do You Pair Shoes and Bags?
The color, pattern, fabric, size, and design combinations of shoes and bags are countless! However, there are 5 basic pairings that will allow you to match them flawlessly and with ease every single time! Follow this fool-proof expert guide to combine your bags and shoes like a pro!
Same Color Matching Bag and Shoes
The most straightforward way to pair your shoes and purse is when they’re a matching color. The only thing you need to keep in mind when you choose this approach is to make sure that the colors match those of the rest of your outfit. You can easily determine that using a color wheel. If you want to create a subtle and minimalist outfit stick to a monochromatic color scheme or choose colors that are from the same range (neighboring on the color wheel). If your aim is to create a bold and eye-catching look, opt for complementary colors that sit on opposite sides of the color wheel.
Same Color, Different Shade
My favorite way to pair my shoes and my bags is to combine designs that are in different shades of the same color. This a really easy and simple way to elevate your outfit and is especially useful for those who like to build capsule wardrobes for each season.
Read also: How to Select the Best Handbags to Complete Your Outfits?
Complementary Colors
Mastering the art of using complementary colors in your outfits is definitely a skill that requires a lot of experimentation. If you’re someone who’s not used to incorporating bold colors in your outfits this approach might look slightly absurd at first, but trust me – color theory won’t fool you! Some combinations you can explore next time you’re putting an outfit together are:
- red and green
- yellow and purple
- orange and blue
- green and magenta
Color Picking
If you have a pair of shoes or a bag in a colorful pattern, and you’re wondering what to pair it with, color picking is the easiest approach you can take. What that means is, for example, if your shoes have a colorful floral pattern, and you don’t know what bag to pair them with, simply choose one color that’s present in the pattern that also complements the rest of your outfit and this will be the color of your bag.
Read also: Fall Winter 2023 Shoe Trend: The 10 Pairs You Must Know About
Statement Color
Last but not least, another favorite color combination that’s guaranteed to make your outfit pop is wearing a contrasting bag or shoes against a white, nude, black, or just a plain minimalist outfit! During the warmer months, you can opt for vibrant colors such as neon orange, green, and pink. During the fall and winter, you can achieve the same effect with deep shades of blue, green, and red.