You know how it’s on trend to match your lipstick to your nail color? Well, matching shoes and bags does for your closet what makeup can do for your face and hands.
Matching accessories may seem really difficult and even limiting, but when you see the options available, you’ll find the sky (a pretty cerulean, of course) is your limit. Read on to find out how to meet and make your perfect match.
Spin the (Color) Wheel
Whether you’re color blind or simply just have no idea what “season” you are, a great way to master matching shoes and bags is to let the color wheel be your guide.
Color theory explains that you can not only wear purple shoes and a yellow bag, but they’ll match and look great too, all due to this idea of primary and tertiary colors.
Another way to master matching is to choose a patterned bag (polka dots, little flowers, happy kittens), then make your shoes a match to one of the colors in the bag.
And then if you want to get really specific, you can match colors to the extreme by finding out the Pantone hue of your bag, then going after shoes in the exact same shade. This is for advanced Fashionistas only, or those who have ample time to email R&D branches of their favorite clothing companies.
Creative Ways for Matching Shoes and Bags
It’s not just color! Matching your shoes with your bags can take many forms, including:
Event Type
Tote bag and stilettos? How about stilett- NO. It’s enough to make a personal stylist throw up her (matching) accessories and stomp out of the room barefoot.
Picture being entirely coordinated from head to toe for a fancy, expensive night out. You’ve got the jewels, the right dress, the right coat, and the right shoes. And then you reach for…
The canvas sack you usually put your groceries in?
Please, don’t do this. Bags and shoes should match for their occasion as well as their outward appearance. Fancy shoes? Fancy bag.
Once More, with Feeling
Even if you’ll be the only one touching your shoes and/or bag, a fun and creative way to match them is by texture. And this goes much further than leather!
If your bag of choice has a fuzzy, faux-fur look, matching that to shoes with a bit of extra fluff or fuzzy texture can be a real way to seal the deal of your look.
Going for with woven espadrilles on your feet? Keep the island vibe going with a bag that is made of raffia or sisal. You don’t want your feet thinking “Capri!” while your bag shouts “Antarctica!”
Shoes and Bags with Character
When we say you should try matching the logos on your shoes and bags, you probably immediately think of Gucci’s interlocking “G”s or Fendi’s “F”s.
We’re talking about something else. If you’re into the cute kawaii culture and carry a Hello Kitty handbag or something else that’s smiley and sparkly, why not match your shoes to your bag that way?
Shoes with a pop of pattern or featuring your favorite cutesy characters are available all over the internet. Or show your team spirit with NFL, NBA, NHL, and other team gear that shows how you really root, root, root for the home team.
Meet Your Matchmaker
So you’re ready to show your true colors, but still feeling a bit color blind?
No problem. Let a true matchmaker help.
And share your most epic clothing conundrums below. What handbag DOES go with flip flops these days? How DO you conquer matching shoes and bags if you have to travel and have multiple occasions but just one small suitcase?
You have questions, we have answers. We’ll monitor the posts and play matchmaker for you!