Do or Don’t: Red Heels With A Red Dress

As someone who grew up watching The Wizard of Oz and the ’40s ballet drama *The Red Shoes *on repeat, I’ve always believed that red shoes have mythical powers. (Yes, even before being introduced to the crimson-soled Louboutins on SJP’s tootsies.) So whenever I see a pair of red heels on the runway or in stores my heart starts pounding and my no-buying-anything-until-I-move-into-a-new-apartment resolution is put to the test. But yesterday when I saw these scarlet platforms at Valentino, my first thought was actually

Hmm. Red shoes *and *a red dress? Not sure if that works for me.

Don’t get me wrong: I’ve worn a look like this before–but it was in high school. I donned a two-piece cherry red “suit” (comprised of a mini skirt and shell top–remember those?) and a pair of matching–wait for it–suede Candies on my feet. In my Cher Horowitz-worshipping days, thought I looked deadly cool, but now when I look back on it, I realize it was crimson overkill.

If I could rewind time, I’d have kept the bright heels and paired them with a dress of another color for a more classic look. For instance, look at how well those Valentino heels go with camel…

or black…

and even leopard…

(Although I don’t think I’d recommend this tony combo for anyone under age 21: To truly pull off this sophisticated style, you’ve gotta be able to nurse a Manhattan and get nostalgic for the days before Facebook.)

But what do you think: Is the red on red look a DO or a DON’T? If it’s a DON’T, which combo do you like best? Red and black? Red and camel? Red and white? Oh and if you have a weakness for crimson heels like I do, take a gander at these: