Colour Guide
Coloured Shoelaces: How to Pick the Right Colour
A new lace colour is the cheapest way to change how a pair of shoes looks. This guide covers what colour laces go with white, black and brown shoes, when to match and when to contrast, and how to get the most from two-tone, patterned, glow and reflective laces.
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✓ Colour pairings for every shoe✓ Two-tone, glow & reflective✓ Australian owned & fast shipping
The short answer
Three ways to choose, from safest to boldest.
Match
Same colour as the upper. Clean, can't go wrong.
Pick up a detail
Copy the colour of the logo, sole or heel tab. It always looks intentional.
Contrast
A bright colour on a plain shoe. Best on sneakers, not dress shoes.
Four rules for choosing a lace colour
Follow these and coloured laces will look like part of the design, not an afterthought.
1
Borrow from the shoe
The easiest winning colour is one already on the shoe: the swoosh, stripes, sole, stitching or heel tab.
2
Formal stays quiet
Dress shoes look best with laces that match the leather. Save bright colours for sneakers and casual pairs.
3
Wider shows more
Flat laces show off colour and pattern; thin round laces read as a subtle line. Go flat if you want the colour seen.
4
One statement at a time
On a busy, multi-colour shoe, go plain. On a plain shoe, let the laces be the feature.
What colour laces go with my shoes?
Tried-and-true pairings for the most common shoe colours.
| Shoe colour | Classic | Bolder |
|---|---|---|
| White sneakers | White or off-white | Any colour: black, red, navy, pastels, two-tone |
| Black sneakers | Black | White, grey, or a bright like red or orange |
| Grey sneakers | Grey or white | Navy, yellow or pink |
| Navy shoes | Navy or white | Red, tan or orange |
| Brown leather | Matching brown | Tan, or a slightly lighter brown |
| Tan boots | Tan or brown | Red, burgundy or olive |
| Black dress shoes | Black | Keep it black for formal wear |
Beyond solid colours
When one colour isn't enough.
Two colours
Two-tone & patterned
Striped, spotted, plaid and two-colour laces. Pick one colour that matches the shoe and one that adds contrast. They're at their best on white and neutral sneakers.
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Texture & shine
Fancy laces
Satin, velvet, organza and glitter laces that add sheen or texture as well as colour. Made for fashion sneakers, events and dressing up.
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Fun prints
Cool laces
Camo, rainbow, zebra, paisley, tie-dye and flags. They're the quickest way to give plain shoes some personality.
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After dark
Glow & reflective
Glow laces charge in light and glow in the dark, which makes them fun for parties and kids. Reflective laces catch headlights and torchlight. Both are style details, not safety gear.
Shop night laces
Colour by occasion
Some situations call for a particular colour.
| Occasion | Go for |
|---|---|
| School shoes | Black or white to match uniform rules. Check your school's policy first. |
| Office & formal | Matching black or brown, ideally waxed. |
| Weddings | Ivory, white or a wedding-palette colour in satin. |
| Sport & teams | Team colours, or two-tone in both club colours. |
| Night walks & runs | Reflective laces in a bright colour, alongside proper lights and gear. |
| Parties & festivals | Glow laces, glitter or rainbow. |
Want names, logos or a message on your laces? See Custom & Personalised Shoelaces. To show off a new colour, try a sneaker lacing style like bar lacing, which puts more lace on display.
Keeping colours bright
Coloured laces fade from harsh washing and strong sun, not from wear alone.
✓ Hand-wash in cool water with mild soap. Hot water fades dye.
✓ Never bleach coloured laces. Bleach is for white cotton or polyester only.
✓ Dry coloured laces in the shade; dry white laces in the sun.
✓ Wash darks and lights separately so dye doesn't transfer.
Full methods, including how to whiten white laces, are in How to Clean Shoelaces.
Shop by shape
Every shape comes in a wide range of colours. Pick the shape your shoe takes, then the colour.
✓ Huge colour range
Neutrals, brights, two-tone, prints, glow and reflective.
✓ Every shape & length
Flat, round and oval, with custom lengths and aglets.
✓ Australian owned
Packed in Sydney and shipped fast Australia-wide.
Frequently asked questions
What colour laces go with white sneakers?
Almost any colour. White laces keep it clean, black gives a sharp contrast, and brights, pastels or two-tone laces turn plain white sneakers into a feature. For the safest bold choice, pick up the colour of the logo or heel tab.
Should laces match the shoes?
For dress shoes and formal wear, yes. Matching laces look neat and correct. For sneakers and casual shoes it's personal style: matching is clean, while a contrast colour makes the laces part of the look.
What colour laces go with black shoes?
Black for a sleek, matching look. On black sneakers, white or grey gives a classic contrast, and red, orange or yellow make a bold statement. Keep black dress shoes in black laces.
What colour laces go with brown boots?
Matching brown or tan is the classic choice. For a subtle twist, go a shade lighter or darker than the leather. Red, burgundy or olive laces add character to tan and casual boots.
Do coloured laces fade?
They can fade with hot washes, bleach and strong sunlight. Hand-wash in cool water, skip the bleach, and dry coloured laces in the shade to keep them bright.
What's the difference between glow and reflective laces?
Glow laces absorb light and then glow on their own in the dark. Reflective laces don't glow; they bounce light back when headlights or a torch hit them. Neither replaces proper safety lights or reflective gear.
Can I wear coloured laces with school shoes?
Most Australian school uniform policies expect black laces on black school shoes, or white on white. Check your school's rules before switching colours.
Can I get laces in my team or brand colours?
Yes. Pick solid or two-tone laces in your colours, or add a name, logo or slogan with custom shoelaces.