Last week I talked about what tops to wear with skirts. In this post, I’ll be exploring what shoes work best with different kinds of skirts.

The beauty of many, simple summer skirts is that you can dress them up or down with heels and flats. You have the ability to change the mood of your skirt outfit with your shoes and other accessories.

A-line and flared skirts in casual fabrications lend themselves to the most versatility. For a more casual look, they can be paired with flat sandals, flat slingbacks or ballet flats. A wedge, slingback or even a colorful pump will dress the look up.

You might pair your casual skirt with a t-shirt and flats. On occasions with a little more formality or you just want to feel different, the skirt morphs into a dressier look with a blouse, perhaps layered with a cardigan or jacket, and heels.

Having an inverted triangle body type, I’m a big fan of patterned, cotton pleated skirts. They add a little width to my lower body, but often times they feel a bit old fashioned to me. To counteract a possible, dowdy look, I sport said skirts with edgy, platform wedges and feel completely updated.

While pencil skirts can be worn with flats or heels, they’re inherently dressier and more formal than flared skirts, so flats can be tricky. (I have a good friend and e-Style tip reader who really rocks pencil skirts and flats, and she totally owns the look; however, I always feel like I’m wearing house shoes when I try flats with a pencil.) Here are a few ideas to try if you’d like to “summerize” your pencil skirt outfits.

• Instead of a basic pump try a modest peep toe. Or consider perforated leather if you prefer closed toes for more professional style.
• Slingbacks, ankle strap shoes or d’orsay pumps—even styles with kitten heels (1-2.5 inch) look great with pencil skirts.
• If you want to try a pencil skirt with flats, choose pointy toe flats with tons of interest to them. A rigid sole with a teeny tiny heel will look best.

Before you head out to the mall for new summer shoes, I encourage you experiment with your heels and flats that are in your closet with various skirts. You just may find a new combination you’d never thought of before and decrease your cost per wear on both the shoes and skirt. Should this sound like a chore you’d rather not tackle alone, feel free to set up a time to talk with me. I’d love to help! As crazy as it sounds, helping clients shop their closets is one of my absolute favorite things to do!