Styling Blue Shoes with the Perfect Socks

It’s hard to start this piece without thinking of how iconic and memorable shoes can be—like Dorothy's ruby slippers in "The Wizard of Oz" or Michael Jordan's Air Jordans that redefined athletic footwear. Black and brown are traditional shoe colors for a reason—they're easy to style. But what if you're ready to deviate from the norm and venture into more sartorially uncharted territory? Blue might be the perfect choice. Here’s how to match your socks with your blue shoes.

Choosing the Right Blue Shoes

Blue shoes aren't limited to suede; they come in various materials, from synthetic athletic sneakers to exotic-skinned penny loafers with elongated, squared-off toe boxes. Here are some tips for selecting the right blue shoes:

• Opt for Darker Shades: Deep navy with a bit of patina is more versatile than a brighter electric blue. This color can complement a blue suit, grey flannel trousers, and khaki chinos. Jeans are also a great match.
• Casual Dress Styles: Avoid cap-toe oxfords or wholecuts. Instead, choose derby styles or casual loafers. Penny loafers offer more versatility than tassel loafers.
• Material Considerations: Blue suede shoes work better than smooth leather for a couple of reasons. Suede can show darker dyes better, and lower-cost suede looks more appealing than lower-cost smooth leather.

With style and materials covered, let's move on to choosing the right dress sock colors.

Matching Socks with Blue Shoes

Blue on Blue

Pairing blue shoes with blue socks is a natural choice. Matching your trouser and sock color elongates the leg line, making you appear taller. However, try a lighter blue sock with a darker blue shoe for maximum effect. A darker sock and lighter shoe create an odd contrast, especially in blue. Sky blue socks are perfect for this.

Red and Burgundy

For a bolder look, try the complementary pairing of blue and red. Deeper blue and brighter red are classic "power suit" and tie pairings, so why not apply it to shoes and socks? Burgundy can also look nice, as it has blue undertones. However, be mindful of the shade of blue on the shoes, as blue with purplish undertones can contrast oddly with burgundy socks.

Cream

Cream socks work exceptionally well with blue shoes. They act as a blank canvas, allowing any shoe color—black, brown, burgundy, or otherwise—to stand out. Cream socks can be dressed up or down, making them suitable for both bold blue dress shoes and casual trainers. Keep in mind that cream socks require gentle washing to maintain their appearance.

Patterned

When it comes to patterned dress socks, keep the patterns small. Dots and knots are safe bets, while stripes require more caution. Striped socks are much bolder and can easily overwhelm the look. For colors, choose ones that complement blue. Consider khaki socks with orange and green dots, or charcoal socks with pink or burgundy accents.

Socks to Avoid with Blue Shoes

Blue shoes, especially dress shoes, will be the hero piece in any outfit. Avoid bold stripes, large patterns, or anything overly funky, as they distract from the main attraction. Steer clear of solid pink, kelly or lime green, and solid orange. While each of these colors can work well on their own, they are too much when paired with blue shoes. Olive green, however, pairs nicely with blue canvas shoes or trainers.