I’m a longtime fan of Narciso Rodriguez’s color-blocked dresses. (He was way ahead of the trend on that one. Like a full decade ahead.) And now I’m loving his color-blocked shoes! However, I wouldn’t wear this slim, suede and ostrich-paneled boot with a matching Narciso structured color-blocked dress.

As tempting as the geometric contrasts of stark whites and peppy brights in his Resort 2013 collection are (this is Narciso in his original glory), here is a time to mix it up. Don’t go for more multi-tones or strong lines. With a boot like this, it’s best to play with patterns and shapes, paring it with a sharp suit or even more fun: a flirty printed dress. Exclusively at Barneys New York for $2,195.

Pair with: Like Jason Wu’s printed silk crepe de chine and jersey dress, perfect for a fall translation. An asymmetrical hemline creates nice flow for a streamlined boot. On Net-a-Porter for $1,995.