The appeal of a great dress is that it's a one-and-done, throw-on-and-go deal. If you find the right style, it will carry you through your daytime commitments well into the humid hours of night. But the real key to styling success lies in your shoe choice. Which is why it's time to reconsider how to wear a dress and sneakers together. During a time of year filled with long city walks and lakeside bike rides, it's imperative that you couple the right pieces together for a look that offers just the right sporty balance to a traditionally flirty silhouette.
Fashion for life on- and off-duty may call for casual sneaker and dress combos, but the magic is truly in the mix when it comes to finding the ideal pairing. he hottest sporty shoes on the market are those that tend to fall into the "dad" sneaker category. Meanwhile, summer's romantic dress trend — and it's sleek '90s-inspired counterpart — will trickle straight into fall, meaning it's time to consider pairing these contrasting dresses and shoes together. Consider it a unique juxtaposition of playful and polished. The sneaker and dress ensembles below will help you take your seasonal style into newly edgy territory — all while forgoing strappy sandals or kitten heels to keep you consistently comfortable with every step.
Menswear-Inspired + Minimal
Pared-down color palettes that rely on a few classic shades are a great starting point for ribbed cotton dresses and sneakers. Opt for a fitted midi dresses with oversized blazers for cooler nights. Sneakers should stay in the same color family and texture-rich detailing like suede, velvet or leather.
Flirty + Normcore
Colorful dresses with high-volume hems in touchable fabrications like silk and satin shift from date-night-ready to everyday when accessorized with normcore-inspired sneakers in monochromatic colorways.
Vintage-Inspired + Classic
Sweet, dainty, or even downright quirky summer dresses with old-school charm and saturated hues mean that classic trainers are in order. Balance out details like ruffles and lace with well-worn sneakers (and socks) that are unapologetically athletic.
Ladylike Color + Chunky
Nothing creates contrast quite like bringing pastel, ladylike styles fit for high tea into the real world courtesy of thick-soled sneakers that are just shy of orthopedic. Nab one of fashion's latest luxury styles that trades on substantive rubber platforms and clunky, rounded toes.
Shirtdress + Platforms
Lean into the surprisingly youthful feel of a shirt dress with equally 90's-era-approved platform styles. Think thick soles with clean lines in fabrics like canvas to play off the early aught sensibility of the full ensemble.
Elegant + Edgy
When you're ready to add a little glam to the equation, sidestep glitz and sparkles and instead hit them with an in-your-face combo of sophistication and intense neon shades. Look for sleeker sneaker styles that won't make the effect seem too overdone but still offer an intentional 2019 jolt.
Casual + Cross Trainers
In perhaps the most traditional setup, low-key button-down dresses and easy shifts (especially when worn with exaggerated blazers) work best with the same cross trainers that would do Jerry Seinfeld proud. Keep the overall feeling firmly rooted in daytime-appropriate styles to maintain a cohesive aesthetic.
