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Style 5 Days 5 Ways

5 Days, 5 Ways: Contrast Sole Shoes

Walking on a Rainbow
contrast sole shoes

by Gabi Updated: March 6, 2017

Products are curated by Style Girlfriend editors. Purchases through our links may earn us an affiliate commission.

Shoes, specifically those of the lace up variety, aren’t necessarily the first style that you would describe as colorful. Sure, you can find a pair here or there in maybe a forest green, deep navy or burgundy, but I’m sure you’re thinking, “it would be a smarter investment to purchase a more neutral pair that I will wear all the time,” because you guys are pretty rational when it comes to shopping.

What if I told you that could have your smart, basic shoe with a touch of color, too? Well, you can. Whether you prefer a brogue, oxford or derby shoe, a bright contrast sole is sure to make your standard black or brown style stand out just enough that it can still be worn on the regular.

THE CONTRAST SOLE SHOES: PAUL SMITH, $312

contrast sole shoes, paul smith, matches fashion

A bright, contrasting sole adds an unexpected pop of color to even the most basic outfit.
MONDAY

contrast sole shoe, business travel, business flight, double breasted suit, suit supply, paul smith, ghurka, david donahue, steven alan optical, the tie bar

Suit: Suit Supply, $499 | Shirt: David Donahue, $135 | Pocket Square: The Tie Bar, $15
Sunglasses:
Steven Alan, $185 | Bag: Ghurka, $675

Wear it well: Dial the contrast up to 100 by building an outfit around the complimentary color to your sole.

TUESDAY

contrast sole shoes, timex, topo designs, schott, lacoste, warby parker, gant rugger, lacoste, paul smith, office style, geek chic, polo, leather jacket

Moto Jacket: Schott, $699 | Polo: Lacoste, $90 | Pants: Gant Rugger, $275
Glasses: Warby Parker, $95 | Watch: Timex, $53 | Bag: Topo Designs, $149

Wear it well: Keep a polo and glasses from looking geek chic with a bad boy leather jacket and outdoorsy accessories.

WEDNESDAY

contrast sole shoes, levi's, scotch & soda, stussy, anonymousism, paul smith, need supply, sid mashburn

Jacket: Levi’s, $88 | Sweater: Scotch & Soda, $ 115 | Pants: Sid Mashburn, $175
Socks:
Anonymousism, $29 | Pins: Stussy, $30 | Laces: Cole Haan, $7
Keyring: M&U Co., $30

Wear it well: Why not reach for some pants that compliment your sole?

THURSDAY

contrast sole shoes, barena, aesop, brixton, saturdays nyc, popover, fedora, maximum henry, plaid jacket, everlane

Jacket: Barena, $695 | Popover: Saturdays NYC, $135 | Chinos: Everlane, $68
Belt:
Maximum Henry, $105 | Hat: Brixton, $59 | Fragrance: Aesop, $110

Wear it well: Find a patterned jacket that calls back to the color in your contrast sole – the distance between the two gives you a little wiggle room, so if it’s not a perfect match, it’s fine.

FRIDAY

contrast sole shoes, edwin, denim, illesteva, gitman vintage, whistles, acne studios, miansai, paul smith

Jacket: Whistles, $789 | Shirt: Gitman Vintage, $180 | Jeans: Edwin, $171
Bracelet:
Miansai, $79 | Sunglasses: Illesteva, $180 | Wallet: Acne Studios, $130

Wear it well: Make a thick cuff in a selvage denim to show off your shoes – the selvage stitch may even match!

Shop the post:

red tape derby shoes
Red Tape
original penguin lace up oxfords
Original Penguin
Selected Men's Black Brook Polido Brogues
Selected Men’s
mango CONTRAST SOLE BLUCHER
Mango
cole haan 'Briscoe' Wingtip
Cole Haan

TELL ME,

WHERE DO YOU WEAR A POP OF UNEXPECTED COLOR?

Want to see more ways to wear the pieces in this post? See 5 ways to wear a leather jacket, cropped trousers, and a popover.

Gabi

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Gabi Meyers went from Team SG's first-ever intern to a trusted fashion editor and stylist. She currently lives in Chicago with a very cute dog.

More articles by Gabi

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