How to Wear Metallic Shoes for Women Over 50
Metallic shoes have been a reliable neutral in my wardrobe for many years. I find the right tone coordinates with everything in my wardrobe and adds some personality without feeling over the top. The metallic trend is more popular than ever this season, especially in footwear, so there are lots of comfortable options to choose from. Today, I’m sharing simple, stylish ways that you can wear metallic shoes over 50, along with a few of my personal favorite pairs.
Why Metallic Shoes Are Worth Trying
A lot of women shy away from metallic shoes because they assume they’re too bold or tricky to style. But here’s the secret: metallics are a sophisticated option that gives you lots of options. Unlike bright colors that might limit what you can wear them with, silver, gold, pewter, and rose gold can slide right into your wardrobe and elevate the simplest of outfits.
How to Choose the Right Metallic Shoes for Your Style
Not all metallic shoes are created equal. The right pair depends on your personal style, lifestyle, and comfort preferences.
1. Pick a Shade That Complements Your Wardrobe
These Lifestride Silver Slingback Pumps pair beautifully with black, white, gray, and jewel tones. Perfect for those of us who prefer cooler tones.
You may also enjoy How to Determine If You Have a Warm or Cool Undertone
I’ve owned these Ecco Slip-on sneakers in cool metallic for years! In fact, I’ve worn them right out. The above gold tones have a warm and elegant vibe that will coordinate nicely with beige, navy, and earth tones.
These Trotters Slip-On loafers in Rose gold have a soft, feminine vibe. The woven leather will also ease over problem areas on your foot and offer added comfort. Rose gold can coordinate with warm and cool tones, which makes it very versatile.
Pewter and bronze are understated metallics that are fantastic for everyday wear because they’re more muted than silver or gold. This Vionic Pewter block heel sandal would be great dressed up or worn with your favorite sundress.
2. Choose the Right Style for Your Lifestyle
- Flats & Loafers – These styles are shoes are perfect for everyday wear. A silver or gold loafer instantly dresses up jeans.
Shop Metallic Flats and Loafers:
- Sneakers – Metallic sneakers add an unexpected twist to casual looks without being over the top.
Shop Metallic Sneakers:
- Heels – A classic metallic heel works beautifully for special occasions (and is often more wearable than a colorful shoe).
Shop Metallic Heels:
- Sandals – A strappy metallic sandal is perfect for warm weather and instantly elevates a simple sundress.
Shop Metallic Sandals:
How to Balance Your Look When Wearing Metallic Shoes
Since metallic shoes naturally draw attention, a little balance goes a long way.
1. Keep Accessories Simple
If my shoes are the statement piece, I don’t pile on too many accessories. A simple necklace or stud earrings are all I need.
2. Stick to One Metallic at a Time
I avoid mixing too many metallics at once—if I’m wearing silver shoes, I let them shine (pun intended) rather than layering on gold or bronze accessories.
3. Let the Shoes Do the Work
Metallics look best when the rest of the outfit is neutral or simple. A monochrome outfit with metallic shoes? Perfection.
My Favorite Metallic Shoes
My Ecco Flowt sandals are the most comfortable sandals I own…and that’s saying a lot. The velcro straps allow me to adjust for a secure fit across the top of my foot, and the footbed is a dream to walk on. I’ve worn mine two summers running, and they’ve held up beautifully. They have a very cushiony sole, arch support, and velcro securely to my ankle, so I don’t have to grip my toes to keep them on. I have them in the pale gold, which has a slight metallic sheen, but it’s subtle enough that they can pass as a nude.
These Silver slingback sandals incredibly comfortable and secure on my foot. Munro shoes will be going out of business soon, but these are still available in most sizes.
I absolutely adore these slip-on sneakers from ECCO. I own them in the 2.0 version, but they’ve also released their 3.0 version here. They have a cushioned insole with arch support and leather upper/leather and textile lining/synthetic sole. The insole is also removable so that you can use your own custom orthotic.
I bought my first pair of Paul Green sneakers at Nordstrom many years ago and have been a loyal fan ever since. Yes, these are an investment, but mine have held up beautifully. I wear them so often that my cost per wear is pennies (read more about that here), and my feet deserve to be comfortable. I love the subtle sparkle, and the platform soles give me a little height boost.
Do you own any metallic shoes? If not, do you think you’ll try out the metallic shoe trend this year?
I have a braided toe sandal from Easy Spirit and a silver and white and grey weave look sneaker from Skechers. Both are very comfortable and within my retirement budget. I wear silver jewelry, well earrings, navy blue or dark wash denim with mine. I’m a cool summer with mostly white hair now at 80. I love your style Jennifer.
Thanks Sydney. You’re so kind. I’m a true (cool) summer, but don’t always color within the lines 😉
I have many metallic shoes in my wardrobe, but all of them are gold tone since I exclusively wear gold jewelry. I find that my metallics are so versatile; they go with everything, and when traveling, I can usually just bring one flat and one heel and I’m good for all evenings. Love my metallics!
They’re wonderful for travel.
I love those Ecco slip-ons and will buy some when I find my size in that color. They would be great for my summer trip to the British Isles. I have some Hilfiger loafers in pewter I wear in the fall, some gold loafers for summer, and several pairs of metallics in sandals. I’m glad I kept them all.
I love Trotters Liz slip on flats and have worn them for years. I have quite a few colors. They are comfortable and polished looking !!
Great article. This got me to thinking that I had some bronze metallic flats, I dug into my closet and found a pair of Vince Camuto flats in a bronze weave. They still look up to date, so when the weather is better, I’m putting them into rotation..Agree, metallic is a great neutral…
Awesome! They sound right on trend.
I realized that silver was a way to dress up even the most comfortable shoes, so I bought my Birkenstocks in silver, and my flip flops I wear around the house for our long hot summers are metallic too. Do be careful when you are traveling, many years ago when we were in Hawaii, I can’t remember what city, but apparently gold shoes had a certain meaning. Lol!
Great point! The meaning varies so much with different cultures.
I love your blog! It is so nice to find someone who shares quality shoes and clothes and makes all the outfits come together. I have many Paul Green boots and shoes. My favorite are my leather tennis shoes. So comfortable! Keep up the good work.
Connie
Thanks Connie. I love my Paul Greens, they’re so comfy!
I love the idea of adding a little metallic to make an outfit more fun and interesting.
Jennifer, I love the scarf you are wearing…where can I find it? Thank you.
The one around my shoulders is an old one from Chicos. I loved that scarf.
I have silver dressy sandals as well as a pair of pewter casual sandals. I’m seriously considering a pair of silver sneakers for spring! Silver shoes bookend with my silver hair and also coordinate with my silver jewelry. Silver is the metal that works best with my “winter” palette.
I’m looking for silver sneakers too!
Silver shoes are a staple in my cool toned wardrobe whether they are “in” or not. They go with everything, are great for travel and depending on how shiny the metallic is, aren’t really that attention grabbing. I especially love my silver with whites and navies for spring and summer. Navy shoes are especially hard to find and a metallic goes beautifully with navy pants is one doesn’t wear brown or warm nudes.
Navy and white is yummy with silver.
I own the Ecco slip ons and love them. Ordered them after seeing you wear them. I have embraced metallics forever and really love how they just fit into the wardrobe beautifully.
I need to replace mine. I wore them right out!
I have a pair of metallic Gentle Souls shoes that are ancient – I’d say at least 15 years old. They still are reasonably stylish – woven metallic leather, gold and silver), flat. They have a slightly squared toe but maybe the toe isn’t totally stylish. Every year I wonder if this is it for them, but based on today’s blog I think they remain a keeper.
They’re totally in style this year. I just ordered square toe flats.
Do you wear a sock of any kind with your metallic running shoes or the ECCO slip on sneakers?
I often wear a peds type sock but usually not.
I agree with you, Jenn, that metallic shoes are wonderful neutrals! At first I thought I was too old to wear them but after seeing women of all ages look great, I decided to go for it. Bought a pair of pewter slip-ons last spring & wore them constantly. Lots of compliments too! Then this fall I decided to go out of my comfort zone & buy low platform sneakers: 1 in dark green suede & another in silver. I love them & they go with everything! You’ve helped me become a little more daring, Jenn, & I thank you for that!
Awesome Lisa! I’m happy to hear that.