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Gunmetal doesn’t bring to mind ball gowns and grace, but shoes in this bluish-gray color certainly can be showstoppers. Gunmetal shoes act as a "neutral with a twist." You can wear them much the same way you would wear black, but gunmetal shoes convey a willingness to break out of a fashion box and be a little daring. The best outfit for your gunmetal shoes depends on the shoes' style and feel.
Cool Colors
Gunmetal gray, with its blue undertones, is a cool color. Not cool in the sense of trendy (although gunmetal shoes are that), but cool in the sense of color tone. Cool colors include pure white, blue-green teal, bright pink, burgundy and black. For a dressy evening, pair gunmetal peep toes with a little black dress and a gunmetal clutch to add a little interest. Gunmetal sandals are an unexpected addition to a summery white dress or a bright pink halter dress. At work, you could add 2-inch gunmetal pumps to a black suit and burgundy blouse.
Fabric
When pairing your gunmetal shoes with an outfit, think about how they balance out the whole look. A thick fabric usually calls for a more substantial shoe. Flimsy fabrics demand strappy, delicate-looking shoes. You could wear skinny jeans tucked into gunmetal boots with a wine-colored wool tunic, for example. Alternatively, pair your skinny jeans with a pale yellow silk cami and gunmetal sandals with skinny straps. The weight of the fabric usually goes along with the season, which also dictates your shoe choice.
Matchy
You can pair gunmetal shoes with a gunmetal outfit, but avoid looking too matchy-matchy. The gunmetal shades do not have to match exactly; in fact a little difference shows you aren’t trying too hard. A gunmetal red-carpet gown could be stunning with gunmetal heels. You could also add gunmetal pumps to a gunmetal suit at work to create the illusion of a long line – making you look tall and leggy. If you choose a single-color look, consider adding interest with a colored bag or belt, such as teal or fuchsia. Another option when dressing for an evening out is to choose a metallic gunmetal for your shoes to go with a gunmetal cocktail dress. The overall effect is monochromatic with pizzazz.
Prints
Gunmetal can complement outfits with prints, as long as the gunmetal blends with the overall feel of the fabric. A fall-color print with teal and black, and paired with a black cashmere tee, would look great with gunmetal pumps. When pairing gunmetal shoes with a print, check out the look in a full-length mirror – don’t just look down. You will get a sense as to whether the outfit works when you see the whole picture. While pairing colored shoes and a colored bag can be too much, you could match your gunmetal shoes to a gunmetal bag as you would with any neutral-color accessories. It ties the whole outfit together, especially when you have a bold print.
