My bridesmaids are wearing eggplant (deep purple) dresses by Jim Hjelm and I am wondering what shoes would look best. Should I just use dyeable shoes and have them dyed to match, or maybe go with black shoes, or maybe a metallic silver? What do you think?
Two of my BMs are wearing eggplant and are wearing black shoes - I asked them what they preferred and both (plus the two BMs wearing dark red) said they'd like to wear black. I think especially if you're asking them to purchase the shoes themselves, black is a nice choice - if you're trying to make it a little dressier, maybe black patent?
i was a bridesmaid (i have trouble saying bm, sorry) for my brothers wedding. we had maroon/wine colored dresses with shoes dyed to match. that wedding was in 2002, and i haven't worn those shoes once since then.
i would say black, silver, or muted gold. it all depends on the rest of your wedding. will there be other metallics? are the guys wearing black tuxes? what does your dress like?
I'm with Caroline--definitely a metallic over the black. Gold or silver would look great. Metallics are so popular right now, your BMs shouldn't have any problem finding a cute pair for whatever price they want to pay.
Normally I'd tend to agree with subee (like if I were wearing the dress to go out), but I agree with JanieLeigh that it really depends on the vibe of your wedding. We're having a non-formal Sunday evening wedding, so strappy gold sandals would be way too fancy. Metallics are popular for sure, and they'll probably wear them again, but I think it just depends on the look you're going for. In our case (rustic venue, guys in dark suits instead of tuxes), black works better.
Seriously, don't do black. Black with a dark color like eggplant just makes it look like you didn't care what their feet looked like and said "Just stick on black shoes, black goes with everything." Black does not actually go with anything. I would give this same advice if the dresses were navy, royal, or forest - it just shows very little ingenuity. Plus, despite what GorgesViola says, metallic shoes can work for any level of formality. A muted gold or silver strappy sandal looks fabulous at a garden wedding. Something more substantial with some bling would be amazing at a more formal event. Plus, your girls can totally wear them again.
I agree that the metallics are lovely with purpl. Silver, gold or a Copper tone would work well. If your wedding has a more lighthearted theme, then a hot pink satin shoe would look really fun with eggplant.
Agree with CarolineG, black would look like you just didn't make the effort. And the look will be flat. I tried on a plum colored dress for my RD and saw a very pretty copper metallic that made it.
You need a muted (not bright yellow) gold shoe or pewter. Silver especially one too light will draw the eye down if the shoe is lighter than the dress.
The dresses I picked have a champagne colored sash so my girls went with champagne colored shoes. I also think depending on you other colors you do silver, gold or even ivory.
What time of year is your wedding? All of my girls each got a different open toe pumps b/c I personally don't think strappy shoes look right in the winter with long dresses especially one in such a dark color...I do not mean to offend the many girls who love strappy shoes, just my personal opinion.
My mom is going to wear this dress in bordeaux--it sounds like it would be reddish but is actually eggplant. She's also going to wear these shoes in yes, black (I'm wearing the same ones in the lighter color!). I don't think it shows a lack of ingenuity on our part at all and will in fact be quite stylish. I'm very proud of how nice my mom will look on my wedding day because she rarely splurges on herself.
I think there were some good ideas--a nude, metalic, or black could all work depending on the dress. IJC, can you show us the dress?
I'm amazed that nobody even offered the possibility of wearing a matching purple shoe. You don't have to go dyeable. Eggplant is a very popular color this season, and Nine West (for example) has a huge selection of dark purple shoes.
My maids are all wearing eggplant as well. While they were given the option of wearing whatever shoe they wanted, I suggested a few purple shoes that were super cute (should they want purple).
I think a muted platinum or bronze would be terrific with eggplant. It's hard to say without seeing the dress, but I think either of those shades would be lovely and chic without pulling too much focus to the shoe.
Although I would recommend a metallic shoe, I by no means think black would ugly or even unattractive. A black shoe is neither uncreative or unfashionable, it is classic and goes with almost anything. The right black shoe will look FABULOUS with eggplant dresses. Plus, with a class black shoe (say a kitten-heel peep toe) will transfer nicely from the wedding to everyday use.
BUT, at the end of the day it's your weddig and you will be the one looking at the pictures for the rest of your life. Maybe you could take one of your bridesmaids dresses with you to a local shoe store and take a look at it in real life, rather than just trying to imagine it. Find a cute shoe in every color option and hold them against the dress - I'm sure one will speak to you.
My bridesmaids are wearing eggplant (deep purple) dresses by Jim Hjelm and I am wondering what shoes would look best. Should I just use dyeable shoes and have them dyed to match, or maybe go with black shoes, or maybe a metallic silver? What do you think?
posted by IJC 8 posts 3 months agoI think black shoes would look perfectly fine & be more re-wearable. If you go with purple, then you should probably pay.
Does a metalic feature prominently in your decor?
posted by cannotwait 228 posts 3 months agoTwo of my BMs are wearing eggplant and are wearing black shoes - I asked them what they preferred and both (plus the two BMs wearing dark red) said they'd like to wear black. I think especially if you're asking them to purchase the shoes themselves, black is a nice choice - if you're trying to make it a little dressier, maybe black patent?
posted by GorgesViola 189 posts 3 months agoI don't know about black... I think gold would look fabulous, maybe strappy sandals?
posted by CarolineG 284 posts 3 months agodon't do the dyeable shoes!!!
i was a bridesmaid (i have trouble saying bm, sorry) for my brothers wedding. we had maroon/wine colored dresses with shoes dyed to match. that wedding was in 2002, and i haven't worn those shoes once since then.
i would say black, silver, or muted gold. it all depends on the rest of your wedding. will there be other metallics? are the guys wearing black tuxes? what does your dress like?
posted by JanieLeigh 49 posts 3 months agoI'm with Caroline--definitely a metallic over the black. Gold or silver would look great. Metallics are so popular right now, your BMs shouldn't have any problem finding a cute pair for whatever price they want to pay.
posted by subee 33 posts 3 months agoNormally I'd tend to agree with subee (like if I were wearing the dress to go out), but I agree with JanieLeigh that it really depends on the vibe of your wedding. We're having a non-formal Sunday evening wedding, so strappy gold sandals would be way too fancy. Metallics are popular for sure, and they'll probably wear them again, but I think it just depends on the look you're going for. In our case (rustic venue, guys in dark suits instead of tuxes), black works better.
posted by GorgesViola 189 posts 3 months agoI really love the contrast colour shoe look they've been doing on jcrew lately... that said, I'm not sure what colour I'd pair with eggplant.
posted by MsPopcorn 104 posts 3 months agoSeriously, don't do black. Black with a dark color like eggplant just makes it look like you didn't care what their feet looked like and said "Just stick on black shoes, black goes with everything." Black does not actually go with anything. I would give this same advice if the dresses were navy, royal, or forest - it just shows very little ingenuity. Plus, despite what GorgesViola says, metallic shoes can work for any level of formality. A muted gold or silver strappy sandal looks fabulous at a garden wedding. Something more substantial with some bling would be amazing at a more formal event. Plus, your girls can totally wear them again.
posted by CarolineG 284 posts 3 months agoUm... wow.
:::slinking away with her equally thoughtless, uncreative and unstylish bridesmaids in tow:::
posted by GorgesViola 189 posts 3 months agoI agree that the metallics are lovely with purpl. Silver, gold or a Copper tone would work well. If your wedding has a more lighthearted theme, then a hot pink satin shoe would look really fun with eggplant.
posted by MissDragonfly 14 posts 3 months agoAgree with CarolineG, black would look like you just didn't make the effort. And the look will be flat. I tried on a plum colored dress for my RD and saw a very pretty copper metallic that made it.
You need a muted (not bright yellow) gold shoe or pewter. Silver especially one too light will draw the eye down if the shoe is lighter than the dress.
posted by cbkj 38 posts 3 months agoI will always choose a metallic gold strappy sandal because it IS the easiest option for me. I don't have to think about it.
I think if you do a black shoe it has to be the right style. This lady looks nice in her blackberry colored dress and black shoe. http://www.instyleweddings.com/weddings/gallery/0,,20164638,00.html
I like the contrasting colored shoe, but it has to be done with the right dress (youthful, modern).
I would ask the bridesmaids what they suggest and possibly go shoe shopping with them.
FYI, you can re-dye the dyeable shoes to black after the wedding. Good luck!
posted by mickmick 4 posts 3 months agoI am also doing eggplant dresses.
The dresses I picked have a champagne colored sash so my girls went with champagne colored shoes. I also think depending on you other colors you do silver, gold or even ivory.
What time of year is your wedding? All of my girls each got a different open toe pumps b/c I personally don't think strappy shoes look right in the winter with long dresses especially one in such a dark color...I do not mean to offend the many girls who love strappy shoes, just my personal opinion.
posted by NoveBride08 32 posts 3 months agoMy mom is going to wear this dress in bordeaux--it sounds like it would be reddish but is actually eggplant. She's also going to wear these shoes in yes, black (I'm wearing the same ones in the lighter color!). I don't think it shows a lack of ingenuity on our part at all and will in fact be quite stylish. I'm very proud of how nice my mom will look on my wedding day because she rarely splurges on herself.
I think there were some good ideas--a nude, metalic, or black could all work depending on the dress. IJC, can you show us the dress?
posted by MissAlbany 46 posts 3 months agoeggplant is one of my colors and i'm putting my girls in gold shoes and jewelry :)
posted by novbride111 39 posts 3 months agoI'm amazed that nobody even offered the possibility of wearing a matching purple shoe. You don't have to go dyeable. Eggplant is a very popular color this season, and Nine West (for example) has a huge selection of dark purple shoes.
My maids are all wearing eggplant as well. While they were given the option of wearing whatever shoe they wanted, I suggested a few purple shoes that were super cute (should they want purple).
posted by smkarl 40 posts 3 months agoI wore silver shoes as bridesmaid with any eggplant dress but I actually think I would prefer gold.
posted by pinklau325 119 posts 3 months agoI think a muted platinum or bronze would be terrific with eggplant. It's hard to say without seeing the dress, but I think either of those shades would be lovely and chic without pulling too much focus to the shoe.
posted by lulubelle 67 posts 3 months agoAlthough I would recommend a metallic shoe, I by no means think black would ugly or even unattractive. A black shoe is neither uncreative or unfashionable, it is classic and goes with almost anything. The right black shoe will look FABULOUS with eggplant dresses. Plus, with a class black shoe (say a kitten-heel peep toe) will transfer nicely from the wedding to everyday use.
BUT, at the end of the day it's your weddig and you will be the one looking at the pictures for the rest of your life. Maybe you could take one of your bridesmaids dresses with you to a local shoe store and take a look at it in real life, rather than just trying to imagine it. Find a cute shoe in every color option and hold them against the dress - I'm sure one will speak to you.
posted by JanieLeigh 49 posts 3 months ago