Advice on What Shoes to Wear With a Gray Strapless Dress

Actress Beth Behrs wears a strapless gray dress with black pumps to the Entertainment Weekly pre-Emmy party in Hollywood in 2013.
... Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

While the thought of a gray dress may not equate to instant excitement, a strapless style fitted to perfection gets you halfway there -- and a hot pair of shoes seals the deal. Take a more conservative approach or introduce an unexpected color; whatever you choose, the versatility of neutral gray allows for easy styling.

1 Classic Pairings

A strapless style tends to be dressier than other cuts of dresses, so odds are you’ll want to keep your footwear on the glam side, too. For a fail-safe option, choose pumps in black or a darker shade of gray, such as charcoal or gunmetal. Turn your look up a notch with brushed silver strappy heels or a pair with rhinestone embellishments for a dressy party or dance. Carry the classic approach through to your accessories with a black leather clutch and silver earrings.

2 Unexpected Elements

Both style and color can take your dress from simple to sizzling in a flash. Rock lace-up boots for an edgy vibe or try a shoe in a bold hue. Pair your gray strapless number with red peep-toe pumps -- go with a patent leather finish for even more footwear fun. If red is a bit too loud for your taste, navy heels add an interesting touch, especially when you incorporate a navy handbag or jewelry to carry the theme. Opt for a pair of navy Mary Jane pumps, a chunky navy bracelet and a two-toned black-and-navy shoulder-strap bag to bring the look together.

Stacey Kole holds a Master's Degree in Education and has written for a variety of education publications. She also was managing editor of the International fashion and beauty publication Savvy, penning cover stories on such celebrities as Vanessa Hudgens and Julianne Hough.

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