Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Black and beige: two neutral shades that simply declare "sophisticated chic." Far from being boring -- as they can often look just by themselves -- a dress in black and beige can be edgy, romantic or supremely sexy. But you have to be careful when it comes to pairing heels with a black and beige dress, because the slightest deviation from the proper colored shoe can instantly transform the dress from classy to trashy.
Black
A no-fail option that will never let you down, black will always be in style with your black and beige dress. Singer Rihanna was spotted in 2009 leaving Kanye West's NYC apartment wearing a very fitted and stunningly sexy black and beige strapless mini dress. She paired it with closed-toe platform pumps in black patent, keeping in theme with the edgy design of the dress -- a little shine here goes a long way, and won't overwhelm the outfit when it's as eye-catching as Rihanna's dress. Black heels will also work with an ensemble that's perfectly demure. Take a look at actress Kristen Stewart at the NYC premiere of "Welcome to the Rileys" in 2010. She paired her romantic, black and beige one-shoulder lace dress with similar-style pumps in a subtle matte black, choosing to draw the attention to her face by wearing bright, vibrant red lipstick.
Nude
Jennifer Aniston's red-carpet look at the L.A. premiere of her 2010 movie, "The Switch," proves that nude heels not only match a black and beige dress, but add inches and inches to your leg line. Aniston wore pale, nude, strappy sandal heels with her color-blocked black and beige dress, and with soft makeup and loose hair, everything worked in complete harmony. If you can manage to find a pair, go for black and beige heels that will match perfectly with your black and beige dress. British television personality and fashion designer Trinny Woodall was photographed wearing a perfect date-night look with a to-the-knee, ruffle-tiered, slightly sheer, chiffon beige dress with a black silk belt wrapped around her waist. She then finished off the look with an extra long, layered diamond necklace, and mostly beige heels decorated with accents of black.
Gray or White
Gray or white heels may seem like somewhat of a novelty when it comes to pairing them with a black and beige dress -- yet without a doubt, these colors still work. A somewhat quirky combination, if you're a whimsical dresser yourself, you'll easily be able to wear this look without appearing as though you were playing dress up in your mother's closet from the 1950s. Take Maria Sharapova at the 2009 opening of the Chloé boutique in Los Angeles. She's wearing a long-sleeved beige dress with a black sash and suede, taupe-gray heels. The overall theme here is soft -- soft beige, soft draping, soft suede, soft gray -- which really makes the whole thing work. And in 2006, fashion designer John Galliano's spring collection show included a runway look of a beige dress with black overlay, paired with dainty white heels. Here, it's all about vintage: vintage shoes, vintage netting, vintage pattern. As long as all of the elements of the outfit follow the same motif, you'll be good to go!
Animal Print
Feel like taking a little bit of a risk? Though not particularly appropriate for events like a wedding or baby christening, wearing fierce animal-print heels can really inject a dose of wild into any boring black and beige outfit. Try a sleeveless, beige leather minidress with black accents (maybe some edging or a layer of tulle decorating the hemline). Why not pair it with a kick-butt pair of stiletto leopard ankle booties? A print like this will add some much-needed pattern to the outfit, and help make it look not so monotonous. And if it's a more subtle, formal look you're going for, how about a floor-sweeping black and beige lace gown? Pair with some soft metallic (and not the shiny, aluminum foil kind that could double as a mirror) python peep-toe platform pumps. The sliver of flash peeking out from underneath your dress will be an unexpected surprise for all your admirers.
