What Do Gray Shoes Go With?

Ian Gavan/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Gray shoes are a chic staple shoe that can seamlessly get you through one season and into the next fashionably. The cool tone goes remarkably well with warm colors. And, for a neutral color, gray makes a pretty bold statement when you want it to. Style a pair of gray distressed leather boots, suede pumps, silver strappy heels, or oxfords with just about anything in your wardrobe.

Gray Sets the Tone

Keep an outfit light and chic with a pair of heather-gray shoes and closely matching separates. gray jeans, a white T-shirt, and a pair of pale gray shoes is a clean and fashionable approach to a tone-on-tone outfit. Men should try a gray desert boot. Women looking for an edge should try the look with ripped gray skinny jeans and a gray suede bootie. In winter, go for darker gray pants. Layer the outfit with black, navy or charcoal colored coats and bags for both male and females. Another elegant use of gray shoes for women is to wear a soft gray suede strappy heel with an off-white sheath dress. This is a flattering style for an evening event any season of the year.

The Obvious Pairing

Guys can get away from matchy-matchy outfits and break up black and white outfits with gray shoes. A black suit and crisp white button-down are complemented nicely by a pair of charcoal gray lace up oxfords. In women's fashion, a black and white striped skater dress with a pair of gray lace-up combat boots about mid-calf height is a playfully tomboyish style. Layer it with a denim jacket, a cropped leather coat or a chunky cardigan sweater to balance the boots.

The Not-So-Obvious

Styling gray with black or white is often more intuitive than paring the steely color with brown, but this can also be a very stylish look. Men should try a pair of gray boat shoes with a brown tweed suit, a crisp white shirt, and a charcoal skinny tie. Women can wear a chocolate brown plaid cigarette pant with a pale blue blouse and a taupe gray high-heels. Be sure to accessorize with either gold or silver; for example with a stack of bracelets, bangles and a watch.

Gray Saves the Day

Wearing vivid colors can sometimes put you in a conundrum when it comes to how to accessorize them. Gray is the salvation shoe for anyone who wants to rock a modern vibrant hue, such as royal blue, in a classic way. Ladies, wear an electric blue wrap-dress with a gray suede pump and a gunmetal metallic clutch. A pair of bright blue chinos and dark gray canvas lace-up ankle boots with a gray cashmere sweater under a gray herringbone tweed jacket is a sophisticated way to do office attire for men.