A big mistake that people make when wearing sandals is not making sure that their footwear compliments their outfit. This is a huge mistake because wearing the wrong sandals can completely sabotage your look. In the converse, choosing the right sandals can actually add life to an outfit. So, how do you choose the right sandals? There are essentially three points to consider when selecting a pair of sandals to wear with an outfit.

Match the Occasion

Probably the most significant concern when selecting a pair of sandals is the occasion. Ladies know that they shouldn't wear a pair of flip flop sandals with an evening gown, and men should be way too familiar with the faux pas of wearing socks with sandals. What may not appear so obvious is that casual beach shoes, such as Adidas sandals, are not appropriate with business casual khakis. A pair of brown Hushpuppies, however, is suitable for a men's business casual work outfit.

For men, the key to knowing how to select the most suitable pair of sandals for the occasion is to consider the material. Leather sandals are more appropriate for less casual occasions while rubber soles or Velcro closures are the materials of choice for moderately casual affairs.

Match the Style

Women have a more difficult time determining what style of sandals is appropriate for an occasion because material is not typically a distinguishing characteristic of their sandals. When considering the styles of sandals that will work best for an outfit, women may want to consider the style of the outfit. The heel of sandals is generally what differentiates the styles of sandals for women. Dress kitten heel sandals are versatile while high heel dress sandals are more suitable for dresses. Other dressy sandal styles for women include peep toe sandals, platform sandals, and slingback sandals. These styles are soft and feminine in appearance and feature a delicate heel. Baby Phat flip flop sandals and flat sandals by Clarks sandals do not have a heel. These styles are more fitting for jeans, shorts, or other casual outfits.

Match the Color

A final sandal selection method for an outfit is color. Women have so many choices when it comes to sandal color. It is also common to find sandals for women with several colors, such as Ecco sandals and the very unique sandal styles by Etnies.

At one time, sandals for men were mostly earthy in nature, such as brown or tan dress sandals. While these colors are still prevalent in dress sandals for men, there are now more colorful varieties for men. Timberland offers a colorful selection of dress sandals, including cognac and griege dress sandals. A word of caution is necessary for men when matching their outfit to their sandals. Before branching out into the newer more colorful sandals, men should also consider the occasion.