Whenever you find yourself in a style rut, do you tend to reach for classic black trousers? If so, I get it. They always appear polished, and you don’t need to worry about matching footwear because you’ll likely choose your reliable black heels or flats. Although black shoes complement black trousers well, why stick to them when a more elegant shoe color can be paired with them? The answer is brown. To illustrate this, let’s look at Victoria Beckham’s recent outfit for inspiration.

In London, while heading out for a friend’s birthday, Beckham was seen with her husband, David Beckham, wearing a sleek evening look. The outfit consisted of a double-breasted black blazer and relaxed black trousers that tapered at the ankle. On her feet? Saint Laurent’s Vendome Slingback Pumps in rich, patent-leather brown. To finish the look, she opted for large sunglasses and a black clutch.