There are many women in the world that will never be caught dead in anything other than a tan or black shoe. As a woman, I understand the importance of such staples in one’s collection, but somehow feel my life would be a little less fun without the brightly colored shoes that are in mine. Of course, women’s shoes in general have a long history, and they have meant many things to both men and women alike. A shoe can match a bag, complement an ensemble, or make a bold statement all on its own. Here are a few insights into the colors of shoes (and what they sometimes communicate).

Photo by kalandrakas

The red shoe
Depending on who you talk to, a woman who wears red shoes is either brave and fashionable or she is advertising her status as a lady of the night. It’s amusing to think there could be such contrasting reactions, but red tends to make a statement in all types of fashion, and shoes are no exception. Many women view red shoes as a symbol of power, much like a feminine version of a men’s “power tie”. To date, if a woman chooses to wear any brightly colored shoe outside of her basic neutral choices, it tends to be a red shoe.

Photo by PinkMoose

The primary shoe
You don’t see a lot of shoes in primary shades on women, and there’s a reason — it takes a very specific type of personality to pull it off. Not unlike the colors themselves, a shoe in a primary shade is attention-grabbing, and unless a woman focuses on collecting clothing to complement such footwear, it’s likely shoes of the same hue will sit in the back of the closet. With the recent popularity surge in eighties-inspired fashions, primary colors for the feet have made a bit of a comeback, but who knows how long they will will stick around.

Photo by Leni Rachael

The pastel shoe
For a lady that favors color but is turned off by the stark quality of primary shades, pastel shoes are an excellent way to wear add a dash of color to a wardrobe. These softly colored shoes are traditionally thought of as very feminine, and are immensely popular in both solids and prints.

Photo by Borbuletachiara

The colorfully lined shoe
This is an incredibly popular choice for many women, as it allows them to enjoy the fun of brightly colored shoes without having to commit to wearing a bold pattern (not to mention earning the stares that go with it!) While this look is really only for the wearer to enjoy or perhaps for friends to remark upon, it certainly still celebrates the beauty of color in fashion, even if only in the details.

Photo by bobsmade

The multicolored shoe
These are only for the bravest of women, not to mention the most adventurous — if you are worried about matching, you have a whole new level of challenge to face when wearing such a bright shoe! Styles such as this tend to attract a quirky personality looking for something different. Some women wear shoes like these with very simple ensembles such as black pants and a solid colored shirt, while others combine them with other bright clothing and make a strong fashion statement. Either way, shoes like this are a lot of fun, and express the concept that a shoe can be an object of art in more than one way.

No matter what style of shade you choose, a shoe can be a wonderful expression of your personality, your fashion sense or even your mood that day. Be brave and wear a colored pair!

Header Photo by Andrea Rinaldi