You Asked, We Answered—These Are the Shoe Colours to Wear With Butter Yellow Outfits

If there's one colour that's taken over both the fashion set and the beauty crowd this season, it's yellow. Whether it’s Hailey Bieber's newly dropped Rhode peptide lip tint in zesty lemon or the soft sorbet yellows spotted all over my IG feed, the spectrum of yellow—from buttercream to banana—is shaping up to be the standout shade of the summer. And it's not just reserved for statement dresses. We’ve seen yellow pop up in tailoring, slinky knit separates, bags (Staud's sunflower-hued Moon Bag comes to mind), and even shoes. In case you're wondering, yes—yellow on yellow can work, we'll get into how shortly. Still, if you've found yourself eyeing a canary co-ord or a soft pastel slip dress, but aren't sure what to pair on your feet, you're not alone. The question of the best shoe colours to wear with yellow outfits is a common one, and today, we're breaking it down.

Yellow might be dominating moodboards and runways alike, but it's never been an easy colour to wear—or more accurately, style. With such a high-impact shade, it's understandable to question what direction to go with your footwear. Should you lean tonal? Keep it minimal? Or embrace contrast? Unlike black or navy, yellow isn't traditionally seen as a 'base' colour, so working out which accessories complement it can feel like guesswork. But once you find your go-to pairings, it becomes surprisingly easy to pull together a look that feels considered and directional.

Now we can't speak on the yellow colour trend without giving the spring and summer 2025 runways it's dues, the colour played a major role in more collections than we can count. At Ferragamo, butter yellow suiting came styled with deep oxblood leather shoes, giving the pastel tone a grown-up edge. At Miu Miu, lemon curd-like shades were layered with neutrals and finished with soft, slouchy boots in beige and taupe. Even the typically monochromatic Jil Sander, there was an introduction of pops of yellow in shirting and shifts, offset by grounded neutrals. The message was clear: this shade is here, and there are plenty of ways to make it work for you. And, in some cases, the right shoe is often what anchors the whole look.

Outside the runway, we've seen yellow styled everywhere from the street-style scene to even Instagram's most minimalist dressers.

Whether you're dipping into the trend via a butter-yellow two-piece or a more statement maxi dress, having a reliable arsenal of shoe shades makes a difference. Below, we break down the best shoe colours to wear with yellow outfits, from timeless neutrals to unexpected pairings, with six standout shades we return to every time.
Let's get into it!

Shop the 6 Colours to Wear With Yellow:

1. Gold

Style Notes: If there's one pairing that feels made for yellow, it's gold. Rather than competing with the vibrancy of yellow, gold complements its warm undertones and often elevates it into occasionwear territory. This is especially impactful with silk dresses, linen tailoring, or rich knits in marigold or saffron. We've spotted metallic sandals making a strong return on the spring and summer 2025 runways too—most notably at Tory Burch, where subtle sparkle grounded her citrus-toned pieces. Bonus: gold feels like a subtle nod to the early 2000s resurgence without going full Y2K.

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2. Yellow

Style Notes: Wearing yellow with yellow? Yes. This isn’t as tricky as it sounds—especially if you mix textures or choose tonal variations. Think lemon with buttercream, or marigold with mustard. It's one of those combinations that looks especially high-end when done right.

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Shop Yellow Shoes:

3. Black

Style Notes: While it might seem obvious, black can be divisive with yellow—too harsh and the look can veer into bumblebee territory. But done right, it's incredibly effective. Opt for sleek silhouettes and refined fabrics—think sharp loafers, mesh heels, or even minimalist flip flops. Black also works especially well if your outfit is yellow print or has dark accents.

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4. Brown

Style Notes: Rich brown tones (especially in suede or leather) bring an earthy feel to yellow outfits. This combo leans slightly '70s in the best way—think Chloé's boho girls in the mid-2000s. Brown also softens the look of yellow without muting it, and is a great option for anyone looking to avoid stark contrasts.

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5. Nude

Style Notes: Nude shoes often fly under the radar, but they're a smart choice with yellow—particularly if you're going for a more elevated or tonal look. They don't compete with the colour but let the yellow do all the talking. Think of nude as the stealth shoe shade that still makes an impact. Look for pink or tan-based nudes to suit the exact yellow you're wearing.

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6. Burgundy

Style Notes: Don't be surprised to see burgundy on this list, it's a complimentary hue that can add real depth to a yellow outfit. There's a reason this combo has popped up in street style galleries over the years—it's unexpected but visually satisfying. It works particularly well with mustard or golden yellows, and offers an alternative to black for evening. Pair with a lipstick in a similar shade and you feel simply so chic!

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