What are the rules for matching color of shoes and bag?

[Anonymous]

Does the shade of brown leather have to match, i.e. all chocolate or all tan? All of my brown winter shoes/boots are chocolate but I just found a great medium brown bag. I've always assumed it all had to match, but I wonder if the rules are relaxing like they are for different wood stains in your furniture.

[Anonymous]

Matching the color of shoes to handbags is very OL. No longer done.

Shoes and bag should harmonize so essentially any colors can work with each other. I probably wouldn't do black shoes with brown bag (and definitely no red shoes with orange bag) but I do like a more neutral shoe with a bag that has a pop of color. I have rust and mustard bags to wear with brown-based outfits. Even wear them with black. Loving the new cobalts with black.

OP, you can wear the two browns together but a bag with some real color is more modern and memorable.