What Color Shoes Goes With Gray Pants? (6 Options)
Gray pants can be a staple in any man’s wardrobe. They’re versatile because you can wear them with many shirt colors, including black, white, blue, and even multi-colored or patterned shirts.
But when it comes to pairing your gray pants with shoes, it can be a bit challenging to know the right color to choose. So, what color shoes go best with gray pants?
Shoe colors that naturally pair well with gray pants are brown, white, black, navy blue, dark purple, and gray. These colors provide enough contrast and signify elegance.
Depending on the shade of gray, the fabric of the pants, and the occasion you’re attending, there are various possibilities. These possibilities can be overwhelming. So if you’ve ever wondered what color shoes for gray pants make the most sense, read on for a complete guide.
What Color Shoes Goes With Gray Pants
Gray often gets a bad reputation for seeming emotionless and boring, but it’s a balanced, calming color that allows other colors to stand out. Here are 6 shoe colors that go well with gray pants:
1. Brown Shoes
Brown shoes go well with gray pants, especially for business-casual clothing. A nice pair of gray slacks, a white button-up shirt, and a matching gray blazer look good with a pair of brown shoes.
Making this outfit work for you is about finding the right brown shade. If your gray pants are on the lighter side, they will go best with brown shoes; if they’re darker, choose a darker brown.
You can also pair dark gray pants with light brown shoes if you have a white or light-colored shirt. This pairing will bring the look together and create an interesting contrast. However, light gray pants don’t go well with dark brown shoes, so try to avoid that pairing.
Beyond business wear, brown shoes and gray pants are excellent. You can wear a slightly more casual outfit and still rock brown shoes. For example, try pairing a dark blue button-up with:
- Rolled-up sleeves
- Straight-leg gray pants
- Brown shoes
- A brown belt
This combination makes a fantastic date night outfit.
2. White Shoes
White shoes are excellent with gray pants, especially when paired with a white shirt to match. Pairing a gray suit with a white dress shirt and white shoes is a great way to make a statement.
Sneakers are the most common type of white shoes to wear with gray pants. They create a casual, comfortable look. But with sleek, well-fitted pants, you can still look put together and stylish.
Another type of white shoe that goes great with gray pants is dress shoes. This option can work for both business-casual and formal settings. It can be harder to find white dress shoes that don’t look too clinical, but when you do, they can truly make an outfit pop.
3. Black Shoes
Wearing black shoes with gray pants can create numerous different looks. Black shoes provide a versatile option that can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.
For a more casual look, pair black shoes with light gray jeans or chinos. This combination is an excellent option for weekend wear or to wear while running errands.
If you’re dressing up your gray pants, a sleek pair of shiny black shoes are a great option. Shiny black shoes can be worn with both light and dark gray pants.
They can also be paired with a variety of shirt colors, especially since black and gray are understated neutral colors that will allow the shirt to stand out.
A distinctive look to try is to pair a subtly patterned button-up dress shirt with medium-toned gray pants and matte black shoes for a refined business-casual look.
With black shoes and a black or dark-colored shirt, you can add more intrigue to your look with patterned gray pants. It’s a fun look that’s acceptable for happy hour and will certainly turn heads!
4. Blue or Navy Shoes
While it is not the most common shoe color, dark navy blue shoes can create a unique and fashion-forward look when paired correctly with gray pants and trousers.
This is a fantastic option if you want to add a pop of color without being over the top. For a striking look that is perfect for a date or a night out in upscale bars, try combining the following:
- Light purple shirt
- Medium-gray pants
- Navy shoes
Wearing this colorful yet dark shoe with darker gray pants presents a sleeker and sexier look; this is also a lovely choice for evening dinners with your loved ones or winter weddings.
5. Dark Purple Shoes
If you’re wondering what color shoes for gray pants will work for a classy yet friendly, chipper look, then you should go with dark purple shoes. Like navy shoes, dark purple shoes are a fashionable choice for gray pants because they stand out without looking clownish.
Pairing a white or light purple dress shirt with light gray pants and dark purple shoes is perfect for job interviews, court appearances, or other professional meetings.
The combination of dark purple shoes along with gray pants makes you come across as fun yet serious, which is what you want to achieve in a first impression setting.
6. Gray Shoes
Last but not least are gray shoes. You may think that gray shoes and gray pants would look too dull, but it all depends on how you style the overall look and what type of shoes you’re wearing.
Gray loafers or boat shoes are perfect with gray high-quality, sustainable pants. This combination goes best with a white shirt because white complements the subtle nature of the outfit.
Additionally, adding one or two standout jewelry items to this outfit is an excellent idea. A sleek watch or a pinky ring will dress this outfit up and add more intrigue to the overall look.
Final Thoughts
So, what color shoes for gray pants are the best? As you can see, there are a few shoe colors that go well with gray pants. It all depends on the look you’re going for and the occasion.
Whether you’re dressing up or dressing down, there is a shoe color that will complement your outfit. Brown, white, black, navy, dark purple, and gray are shoe colors that match with gray pants.
So next time you’re wondering what shoes to pair with your favorite gray slacks, think back to this article and choose the perfect pair for your personality, style preference, and upcoming event.
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