Tan, nude, white, gold, silver, black, natural espadrilles, a bright colour, a pastel and brown boots all work with a white dress. White goes with every shoe colour, so the real choice is about mood and shade: tan and gold make it warm and summery, black makes it graphic, a bright shoe makes it playful, and white on white looks bridal unless the two whites match exactly.
Bright white and ivory look the same online and different next to your skin. The app we make, Wdrobe, can show the white dress on your own photo before you pick a pair.
Ivory or bright white? The paper test
Hold a sheet of printer paper against the dress in daylight.
- If the dress looks the same as the paper, it is bright white. Cool and crisp shoes suit it best: silver, black, white, cobalt and cool pastels.
- If the dress looks creamy or yellow beside the paper, it is ivory or off-white. Warm shoes suit it best: tan, cognac, gold, nude and blush.
The test matters most for white shoes. A bright white sandal under an ivory dress makes the dress look old, and an ivory shoe under a bright white dress looks grubby. If the whites do not match, choose a different colour.
The wedding rule
A white or ivory dress is the one outfit a wedding guest should not wear unless the couple asks for it. That still leaves plenty: graduations, christenings, summer parties, holidays, an all-white party, or your own civil ceremony or rehearsal dinner. For guest outfits, see our summer wedding guest outfits instead.
10 shoe colours that go with a white dress
1. Tan or cognac sandals
The easiest summer answer. Warm brown leather makes a white dress look relaxed and holiday-ready, and it suits ivory and cotton best.
Outfit formula: white broderie cotton midi dress + tan leather flat sandals + straw basket bag + gold hoops.
2. Nude
Nude shoes keep the attention on the dress and suit formal daytime events. Choose a shade close to your skin.
Outfit formula: ivory crepe midi dress + skin-tone block-heel sandals + cream blazer + small tan bag.
3. White, matched
White on white looks crisp and modern when the whites match. White leather trainers suit cotton and jersey; white strappy sandals suit a dressier dress.
Outfit formula: bright white shirt dress + white leather trainers + light denim jacket + white canvas tote.
Two whites that look the same in the shop rarely match at home. The paper test helps, but it is quicker to see the dress and the shoes in one outfit. Check the two whites together on screen.
4. Gold
Gold sandals make a white dress feel like an evening on holiday. They suit ivory and warm skin tones especially.
Outfit formula: ivory linen maxi dress + gold flat sandals + gold cuff bracelet + woven clutch.
5. Silver
Silver is the cool partner for a bright white dress. It looks clean and modern at a graduation or a party.
Outfit formula: bright white satin slip dress + silver strappy heels + silver earrings + pale grey clutch.
6. Black
Black and white is a graphic, confident pair. Black ballet flats or slingbacks look neat in the day; black strappy heels look sharp at night. Repeat black once, in a bag or belt.
Outfit formula: white poplin midi dress + black ballet flats + black leather belt + black shoulder bag.
7. Natural espadrilles
Jute and canvas espadrilles look made for a white summer dress. A wedge gives height on cobbles and grass, where thin heels sink.
Outfit formula: white cotton sundress + natural jute wedge espadrilles + raffia bag + straw hat.
8. A bright colour
A white dress is the perfect background for a bright shoe. Cobalt, red, yellow or green all work. Keep the bag neutral so the shoe is the only colour.
Outfit formula: bright white midi dress + cobalt blue slingback heels + white clutch + silver earrings.
9. A soft pastel
Blush, lilac or baby blue shoes make a white dress soft and romantic. They suit bright white better than ivory.
Outfit formula: white lace dress + lilac satin mules + pale pink cardigan + small white bag.
10. Brown boots
White dresses do not have to wait for summer. A white cotton or knit dress with tan cowboy boots or brown ankle boots looks great in late spring and early autumn, and a denim jacket finishes it.
Outfit formula: white cotton midi dress + tan western boots + light denim jacket + brown leather crossbody bag.
Light shoes and a white dress are a lot to keep clean. Suede, white leather and satin all mark on a muddy lawn or a wet pavement, so a darker second pair is worth having ready. Save a wet-day version of the outfit next to the sunny one.
By fabric
Cotton, broderie and linen. Tan, cognac, white trainers, espadrilles and flat sandals. These fabrics are casual, so dressy heels can look out of place.
Satin and crepe. Silver, gold, nude or black heels. Match the shine: satin and patent sit better beside satin than matte suede.
Lace. Nude, blush, silver or white. Keep the shoe simple so the lace stays the detail.
Knit and jersey. Trainers, ankle boots or loafers. A white knit dress is a day dress.
By occasion
Graduation. Nude or metallic block heels, or smart ballet flats. You will walk across a stage and stand for photos, so a stable heel is worth more than height.
Civil wedding or rehearsal dinner. Satin heels in white, nude, silver or a pale pastel. A coloured shoe is a nice personal touch if you want one.
Holiday dinner. Gold sandals, espadrilles or tan flats with an ivory or linen dress.
Summer party or brunch. Bright shoes, white trainers or tan sandals, depending on how casual it is.
Want outfits like these from clothes you already own? Wdrobe's AI stylist builds them from your wardrobe and shows each one on your photo.
Frequently asked questions
What colour shoes go with a white dress for ladies?
Tan, nude, gold, silver and black are the easiest choices for women. Pick warm shoes like tan and gold for ivory, and cool shoes like silver and black for bright white.
Can you wear black shoes with a white dress?
Yes. Black and white is a classic, graphic pair. Repeat the black once, in a bag or belt, so the shoes do not look separate from the outfit.
Should shoes match a white dress?
Only if the whites match exactly. Otherwise a different colour looks better than a white that is slightly off.
What shoes go with a white summer dress?
Tan sandals, espadrilles, white trainers and gold flats are the easiest for a white summer dress. Choose a wedge or block heel for grass or cobbles.
What colour shoes go with a white dress for a graduation?
Nude, silver, gold or a soft pastel in a block heel. They look smart in photos and are steady when you walk across the stage.
For more ways to wear the colour, see what colours go with white clothes and, for off-white, colours that go with ivory and what colours go with cream clothes. The outfit colour combinations guide covers the rest, and what shoes go with a black dress is the same question for black.
Summer stacks up white-dress days: a graduation, a christening, a holiday dinner. Put each one in Wdrobe's week planner with its shoes, in a day or night slot, and you will know which pair goes where and which ones need a clean before Saturday. Plan your summer white-dress days.
