What Color Laces Go With Your Shoes? 3 Simple Rules

New laces are the cheapest way to change the look of a shoe. But what color laces should you choose? The same color as your shoe, an accent color from the logo or a bold contrast? And why is one white lace not the same as another? In this blog you will read three simple rules for choosing the right lace color for your shoes, with tips for each type of shoe.

In short

• When in doubt, choose the same color as the upper. Tone-on-tone always looks calm and polished.
• For more character, pick a color from the shoe itself: the logo, the heel or the sole.
• Contrast works best on a simple shoe with few colors.
• Not every white is the same. Older or cream sneakers suit sail or off-white better than bright white.
• Upload a photo of your shoe to the Veter Matcher to see which laces come closest.

What color laces suit my shoe?

Start with the color of the upper. A lace in the same color blends into the shoe, so the whole looks calm and clean. It is the safest choice and works on every shoe, from a smart Oxford to a running shoe. If you want more, there are two other routes: an accent color or a contrast.

Approach	What you do	Effect
Tone-on-tone	Lace in the color of the upper	Calm, polished, blends in
Accent color	Lace in the color of the logo, heel or sole	Playful, but still balanced
Contrast	Lace in a color that appears nowhere on the shoe	Eye-catching, a statement

Tone-on-tone: the safe choice

A black shoe with black laces or a white sneaker with white laces: you can’t go wrong. Do watch the shade, though. A lace that is slightly different from the leather stands out more than a lace in a clearly different color. If in doubt, go a little darker rather than lighter.

An accent color from the shoe

Look at the details: the logo on the side, the heel counter, the tongue or the color of the sole. A lace in one of those colors makes the shoe more playful without looking busy, because the color is already part of the design. A white sneaker with a green logo gets instant character with green laces.

Contrast as a statement

A color that appears nowhere on the shoe, such as red laces in a black sneaker, stands out. That works best on a simple shoe with one or two colors. On a shoe that already has lots of colors, an extra one quickly becomes too much. Choose an accent there instead.

Why is one white lace not the same as another?

Because white comes in many shades. A bright white lace in a sneaker with a slightly yellowed or cream sole suddenly looks harsh and new, while the rest of the shoe doesn’t. The other way round, an off-white lace makes a brilliant white shoe look a little dull.

• Bright white: for new, brilliant white sneakers.
• White and milk white: for white shoes that have been worn for a while.
• Off-white and sail: for cream, off-white and vintage sneakers, and for soles that have yellowed a little.

If in doubt, hold the lace next to the sole and the lining in daylight. You’ll find every shade in white laces and cream laces.

What color laces for each type of shoe?

Dress shoes

Match the lace to the leather: black with black, a brown shade with brown. An accent color is possible, but on a less formal shoe such as a Derby or brogue. Read more in our blog which laces for dress shoes.

White sneakers

White in the right shade is the classic. For variety, take a color from the logo or choose black or grey for a sharper contrast.

Boots and work shoes

Brown leather suits brown laces in a shade slightly darker than the leather. With black boots, choose black. A red or orange lace adds a rugged, workwear twist.

Sports and running shoes

Here it can stand out. Sports shoes often have a bright accent color that you can pick up in the lace. Multicolor laces also suit a shoe with several colors.

Matching the color without guessing

A color on a screen always looks slightly different in real life. That’s why the Veter Matcher helps: upload a photo of your shoe and see which laces come closest. For many laces you can also have the aglets made in a custom color, so the ends match your shoe exactly. Torn between a few shades? A color pack gives you five pairs of flat laces from one color family, so you can try at home which one works best. All colors side by side are in laces by color.

Read on: white or sail laces and customising your sneakers with laces.

Frequently asked questions

Do laces have to match the shoe?

No, they don’t. The same color is the safest choice, but an accent color from the shoe or a deliberate contrast can look equally good.

What color laces go with a black sneaker?

Black for a clean look, white for a classic contrast or an accent color from the logo or sole. On an all-black sneaker, a bright color stands out even more.

Why do my new white laces look so bright?

Because the rest of your shoe has discolored slightly over time. Choose sail or off-white instead, which blend better with a worn shoe.

Can I wear two different color laces?

Yes. A different color on the left and right shoe is a deliberate style choice that works especially well on sneakers. Laces come in sets of two, so you’ll need two sets.

Curious which color suits your shoe? Try the Veter Matcher or browse all laces by color.