So the question is "How to wear very light colored shoes without breaking the fashion-faux-pas rule of keeping shoes equal-to or darker than clothes?"

My immediate response is, "Who makes these rules?" Stepping off the path to another rule, they say that we must not where white after Labor Day. Why not? And why does Winter White even exist if we aren't allowed to wear it? Should we all be dressing in autumn colors? What if we have winter or summer complexions? Bah! I'll wear what I like and the rules be damned. Within reason.

Shoes being equal to or darker than the clothes isn't necessarily reasonable. Navy blue shoes paired with a royal blue dress would fit the rule--and look hideous. Of course, the reverse, making the shoes lighter, would be just as unfortunate.

The keys are matching and accessorizing. Often, our clothes are patterned; even if the darker color is dominant, there is nothing wrong with picking shoes that match the lighter. Most of us can't afford a pair of shoes to match every outfit, but there are two solutions to that. One way is to buy shoes to match a purse or belt, matching them both to as many outfits as possible. A light green shoe/purse combination could match pink, black, gray, or white outfits easily. And with the right shades they could also match blue or other combinations.

Also, if you take a look at fashion magazines and the new arrivals for Spring in catalogues, you might notice a great many metallic sandals being worn with vastly different sorts of clothing. Golds and silvers are like beige and other neutral colors--they can go with almost anything and, despite probably being lighter than the clothes, still look good.

A little awareness of what goes with what, and you can shuck the rules!