How to Wear Metallic and Embellished Shoes

Forget what they say about less being more. For the maximalists among us, embellishments and shimmering shades are the name of the game. Even for those who take a more conservative approach to styling, metallic or embellished shoes can add new texture and dimension to any outfit, regardless of the occasion.

Bring out your sparkle with molten metals, beading, embroidery, and glitter. If you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of opulence but aren’t sure how to wear embellished shoes and metallics - we’ve got you covered.

Featuring a treasure trove of shimmering styles, discover the joy-sparking women's shoes that will spruce up your wardrobe, at price points that won’t dull their shine. 

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More Is More: How To Wear Embellished Shoes

How you choose to style your embellished shoes depends on how you like to dress. 

If you love to be bold in your choices of cuts, textures, materials, layers, and colours, and if you love to style your clothes with every bracelet in your jewellery box, your style leans towards maximalism. 

Choose bright, bold colours, and complement your embellished shoes with accessories that match the tone of their embellishment. Chunky gold chain detail on your shoes? A bag with a gold chain handle will suit.  

Cosma Leather Mule Slides

If you prefer to keep it simple, with clean cuts, minimal layering, and a more neutral colour palette, and if you sign-off your outfits with a favourite pair of earrings (and that’s it), you take a more minimalist approach.  

Make your embellished shoes the feature of your outfit by pairing them with a more neutral or limited colour palette, opting for matching colours to create a sense of harmony. Limit your accessories to draw attention to your artfully embellished shoes. 

Catch the Light

As far as embellished flat shoes go, loafers are hard to beat. Exceptionally versatile, loafers can be worn round the clock, from the weekday morning commute to evening drinks, to shopping trips at the weekend. For loafers with a little extra something, embroidered styles are a great choice. 

St Tropez Embroidered Lobster Loafers
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A pair of loafers in standard black present an opportunity to add a little personality to your workwear rotations. A shimmering thread of gold embroidery or similar will bring a considered edge that fits the tone of smarter dressing. 

Casual styling calls for a more playful approach. Consider beaded and pearlescent details that will add further dimension not only to embellished slip-on shoes but to your whole ensemble too. 

St Tropez Embroidered Lobster Loafers
Embellished Leather Penny Loafers
Staccato Cannes Embellished Espadrille Flats

Get Glowing: How to Wear Metallic Shoes

Much of the same advice is true for metallic shoes.

For a maximalist approach, a metallic makeover is the way to go. Pair your metallics with jewel tones (rich navy, forest green, deep purple) to create a head-turning ensemble. Match your shoes to your other accessories for a sense of consistency that will underpin bolder looks. 

Pavers Lace-Up Ladies Trainers

As a minimalist, make your metallic shoes the centre focus of your outfit by pairing with more neutral tones (bright whites, blush, and powder blue). Keep shimmering shades to a minimum elsewhere in your outfit, including jewellery, to help your shoes shine. 

Pavers Lace-Up Ladies Trainers
Britte Leather Trainers
Kayla Leather Chunky Trainers
Wedge Heel Mule Sandals

Rise and Shine

When it comes to dressing up, glitter heels and sparkly sandals have the power to elevate your look in ways that plain suede or leather just can’t. 

Setting the tone for a day of celebration, metallic heels are a must-have for every woman’s wardrobe - though you may only crack them out of the wardrobe on special occasions - just be sure to match them to your clutch (and sparkling glass of champagne) for a well-rounded occasion look. 

Wedge Heel Mule Sandals
Metallic Strappy Heeled Sandals

Wondering what to wear to a summer wedding on a budget? Read our guide!