I got a pair of grey Mary Jane shoes by Steve Madden at a sale (https://www.stevemadden.com.au/product.asp?departmentID=7&grouplinkID=1334&specificproduct=0). Although it’s winter here at the moment, I’m stocking up on sumemr stuff with the huge sales going on at the moment. I’m still conflicted between the grey and the red. In real life, the grey is a kind of lilac, almost nude, colour, while the red is very earthy and brownish.

Anyway, I ended up getting the grey pair. What would you wear this grey pair of shoes with? I took the grey with my predominantly purple winter coat in mind, but thought it’d be good for spring too. For winter, I’d wear it with probably a black skirt and purple top. For summer, mmmm, I’m not too sure.

My other concern is that my complexion would look washed out in this tone. I have black hair and complexion which I’m told is olive. (Well, I’m Asian but I don’t really know how to describe my complexion.) My eyes are a dark brown and I love earthy warm colours. So while I want versatility from the grey colour, I’m more drawn the red. I do realise that red generally isn’t very versatile, but I’m hoping the brown-ness of the red would help. I’m thus debating between exchanging the grey for the red, or just returning the shoes altogether, because I also have to factor in the cost of resoling the shoes (they are plastic soles only at the moment). Like Kathryn said in another thread (http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/fashion-forum/viewthread/1029/), the manufacturíng of Steve Madden shoes aren’t always of the highest quality.

I do apologise for the lengthy post. Thanks in advance though: I know I can always count on your advice when deliberating shopping choices. :D

Even on the computer I can tell that’s a peculiar shade of gray. I do like it though. I really like your idea of pairing it with purple things. What about fuchsia, magenta, even bright pinks? The entire outfit doesn’t have to be bright, but wearing black with a bright color will contrast with the simplicity of the gray shoe.

I’m all about going with what your gut tells you (as corny as that sounds) in regards to returning them or not. If you really like them, you’ll wear them often, which makes the money you spent worth it. Re-soling it will add longevity, and you can wear them for even longer.

Finally, as to the gray vs. red debate, the grass is always greener on the other side--if you exchanged the gray for the red, you might change your mind again.

Thank you Christiana. I love the colour palette you have suggested. I’ll definitely try it out and see how I go. :)

Ah, I’m so fickle, but I guess grey is a nice and soft neutral colour to go with. I totally agree with what you said about the grass is greener on the other side.  Haha, kind of reminds me of the many road incidents in Australia: you’ll be driving along the highway (only in the country, of course) and a kangaroo comes hopping across. When I asked my father why, he said it’s because the grass is greener on the other side. =P

Gray is a neutral, so it goes with everything. I think the gray would go great with the color palette suggested by Christianay, but it would also contrast nicely with warmer, earth tones. And even if gray doesn’t look great with your skin tone, it’s shoes, so it’s as far away from your face as you’ll get. I have fair skin with peachy undertones, so gray isn’t one of my great colors either.

Mmm, seeing as I’ve now invested in these shoes, I’ll have to skip getting a new pair of summer sandals. Having said that, would it be too much to wear light grey shoes in summer?

First off, I am in love with that shoe: I am a sucker for all things mildly post WW2 era.

With that in mind, my instinct for that shoe is to go the route of sexy secretary, i.e. grab a black pencil skirt (if your body type can pull it off, high waisted would be great) and find any brightly colored top—preferably a blouse. The distance the skirt puts between the shoes and the top allows you to play with color a bit more.

I’d also rent 9 to 5 and take vigorous notes: those shoes would go with almost every outfit in that movie.