Two of a kind: should you wear sandals with a shopper or match your messenger to your mules?
The question of whether to match your shoes to your handbag is rarely something that concerns those who live within the M25.
Instead, we’re a bunch who tend to shy away from matchy-matchy pairings, frankly because it’s a little naff.
That’s not to say that we don’t want to showcase some cohesion when it comes to our accessory selection - the best dressers know that a carefully curated shoe and bag wardrobe can make or break an outfit - but rather that there’s a skill, a sort of unwritten fashion code, involved in matching your shoes to bags and as Londoners, we’re pretty damn good at it. World-class, in fact. Here we seek to shed light on the golden rules.
Think of it as conscious coupling for accessory shoppers.
Tourists, you’re welcome.
Size matters
When navigating the tricky territory of Going Out Wear, stick to this foolproof fashion formula - the bigger the heel, the smaller the bag.
Because, whether you’re at a sophisticated soirée with the cocktail-swilling classes of just down your local, nothing looks dafter than a big shoe with a big bag.
A heel of four inches or higher requires a compact clutch or nano cross-body, while a flatter style can handle a bigger, bolder statement.
The one show
There is a way to do matchy-matchy that doesn’t err on the side of mother of the bride and that is to go the whole hog - with a look which embraces one colour from top to toe.
Neutrals are the simplest and chicest way to do tonal dressing. Think varying shades of grey or navy, or venture further out of the colour wheel with burgundy, sage or camel.
Just don’t be tempted to temper the effect with a boring black bag and shoe - pairing your accessories to your outfit is the most confident way to wear this look.
In fact, why not throw out the black altogether and maximise the impact of a pristine pair of trainers with all-white everything?
YOLO
A serious accessory is all well and good. But it’s made all the better when paired with a slightly silly sidekick.
Valentino’s low-key strappy sandal (above) makes for a perfect companion to Hillier Bartley’s tassel strap box bag, while & Other Stories’ glitter party platform (below) could even withstand a day in the office with the addition of a grown-up boxy satchel.
Step through time
Thanks to the many complexities of what is considered to be on trend, fashion currently dictates that the 1970s, 1990s and even a touch of Victoriana are all en vogue.
But these eras of influence are not mutually exclusive - often the best pairings are the result of a history class mash-up.
A chunky, minimalist mule, for example, looks ace with a fringed saddle bag, while a smooth leather Babouche slipper (see APC above) proves a surprisingly good partner to the sort of nylon drawstring bag that used to contain your school gym kit.
Master mismatchy-matchy
When it comes to making an impact, try going mismatchy-matchy. By which I mean clashing colours from the opposite ends of the spectrum.
Pair yellow with violet or blue or try turquoise with tomato.
Mulberry has turned up the brightness for spring with its new Kite bag and polished loafers in shades of neon yellow and cobalt blue (below).
Just keep the rest of your outfit clean and simple to avoid confusion.
Get all touchy-feely
There’s more to accessories than leather. Pick and mix fabrics and textures to add interest to a pared back outfit.
Try a pair of fuzzy sliders with a chainmail clutch or plump for a ponyskin backpack and python print boots.
Crochet raffia, Plexiglass and piles of pom-poms are also on point for spring.
ArticleShould you wear sandals with a shopper or match messenger and mules?ValentinoMulberryEmma McCarthy strikes a new balance