Dare to Go Bold with Ops&Ops

A quick glance at our collection will tell you we love bold colours.

We’re not alone, but for all those who are at ease rocking the brightest hues, there are others who can find it a challenge. Accessories are a great way to ease into colour – a scarf, jewellery, bag, gloves, lipstick … And of course shoes.

Shoes are an investment, but one of the simplest ways to sport colour. Not everyone wears jewellery or scarves or nail polish, but everyone needs shoes. They can be worn as an accent, complementary, vivid or matching shade. And being down on the ground, there’s space between them and the rest of you!

Teri and I are often asked by our customers how we would wear or style our shoes. Is it okay to wear pink to the office? Does a dominant colour like bright red go with print or should the rest of the outfit be subdued? Can metallic party wedges work for everyday?

With this in mind, I’ve picked out five of our styles and paired them with prints, patterns and colours that work a treat. Just remember, there are no rules, it’s what you’re comfortable with. Have fun!

Our No10 Avocado flats are a strong green that work with robust blues, yellow, orange and metallics.
The colour offsets the blues of these patterned Acne jeans and softens the silver metallic of Karl Lagerfeld sweatpants – it’s a lovely alternative to black here. The patent, worn with this Bimba y Lola dress, turns it into a smart summer combo. Note, none of these pieces contains green, so if you don’t have anything else in this colour it doesn’t matter. It can work brilliantly as a complement rather than a match.

With an orange rubber sole to complement, No10 Action Red loafers deliver casual vibes to partner stripes or denim. The duo colour accent adds zing to the blue and white Ralph Lauren wide trousers and livens up the Rails playsuit, or a longer jumpsuit, for laid-back summer wear. The shoes’ sporty look helps relax the buttoned-up stripes of The Make Shed blouse. 

Vibrant pink No10 Guava can be worn to emphasise a strong look or highlight a similar shade. They add to the flow of these equally potent pink, wide-leg MM6 Maison Margiela trousers, and although there is no exact match with the stripes on Paradis Perdus + Net Sustain sweater, together they make for a modern, fresh look. Picking out the pink and green of the Wyse shirt’s daisy design adds balance to a pretty everyday outfit.

A warm-toned yellow makes No10 Colman’s Mustard a versatile loafer to partner bold and neutral with ease. Match the red topstitch to Clea Stuart’s red trousers for maximum impact, or let the shoes do the talking and pair with a cute Baum und Pferdgarten cardigan in pastel grey with mustard accents. Added to the blue stripes of Christopher Kane shorts and shirt, the outfit instantly becomes a little more formal – perfect for a lunch date. 

For full-on, feel-good dress-up pair No15 Metallic Purple mules with pattern and other strong colours. The purple echoed in Top of the Shops Boutique vintage top adds depth and would look great with denim in between for outdoor meets and nights out. Wearing as a complete contrast to the strong green of the Maje dress works for a wedding or celebration party, and the rich duo tones add attitude to the softer flower print of the Saks Potts trousers and top.

Fancy going bold? Shop these styles – and let us know how you get on!