It’s easy to fall for all kinds of shoe styles and dress designs, but putting together the perfect look? That’s a bit trickier.
The key takeaway here is that style and practicality can coexist, and in fact, they should when you’re aiming to dress well! Fortunately, matching the right style with your daily needs isn’t as challenging as it might seem. With a bit of thought, you can strike the perfect balance. We’ve put some time into figuring this out, so now we’re sharing our insights with you! Here’s where to start:
What Will You Be Doing?
Knowing what your day holds can guide your choice of footwear. The wrong shoes can not only spoil your outfit but also limit your comfort or ability to fully enjoy or succeed at your planned activities. So, keep both style and function in mind. For example, while beachy wedge sandals may scream “vacation vibes” and look great with a sundress, they may not be ideal for running around in the sand, let alone making an epic volleyball dive!
Ultimately, the choice will often come down to flats or heels, though there may be other factors at play. Will you be at a casual outdoor event or visiting a friend’s house surrounded by a muddy field? While flats may be your go-to, strappy sandals might end up filled with dirt after the first wrong step!
What’s the Occasion?
The occasion plays a huge role in determining how formal or casual your outfit should be. Let’s say you’ve ruled out wedges because they aren’t practical for a beach outing. But is it just a laid-back beach day, where flip-flops are fine, or a beach wedding, where you’d want to elevate your style with a polished pair of flat sandals? When you need to dress up, consider shoes with more height, better materials, and maybe even a touch of sparkle. If you’re not keen on stepping too far outside your comfort zone, you can still jazz up your usual shoe style with metallic finishes, glitter, or other fun details.
What’s Your Dress Like?
Your dress is the cornerstone of your outfit, and its style, color, texture, and pattern should all influence your shoe choice. We’ll dive into dress styles below, but when it comes to color and texture, pairing shoes is generally straightforward. A good rule of thumb is to choose shoes in a shade slightly darker than your dress for a balanced look. If you’re feeling bold, match the shoes to the exact color of your dress. This works especially well when your dress has a print or pattern, as you can pull out a color from the print or go for a matching solid dress. For instance, imagine a royal blue A-line dress with a sweetheart neckline—pairing it with royal blue suede ankle-strap heels adds texture, complements the dress’s shape, and creates a cohesive, polished look. Luckily, comfortable heels come in all colors and materials, so your vision is totally achievable!
If the focus of your outfit is on a standout pair of shoes, let those take center stage. A bold pair of glittery pumps or leopard-print loafers pairs best with a simple, solid-colored dress. To really tie the look together, consider accessories that either match or complement your shoes, like a belt, handbag, or even a scarf.
Perfect Pairings
Though almost any combination can work with a bit of thought, some dress and shoe pairings just click. Here are some of the easiest (and most stylish!) pairings:
- Sporty Dresses: Slip-ons, sneakers, platform sandals, and cute casual flats work wonders.
- Short Casual Dresses: These are incredibly versatile! Pair them with sneakers, flats, kitten heels, moccasins, loafers, wedge sandals, clogs, ankle booties, or even tall boots when the season calls for it.
- Short Formal Dresses: Pumps or elegant flats are your best bet for a refined look.
- Business Dresses: Closed-toe heels no taller than 4 inches are typical for work attire, but closed-toe flats made of formal materials can also pair well.
- Long Casual Dresses: Opt for strappy sandals, gladiator styles, or wedge and platform sandals to complement the relaxed vibe.
- Long Formal Dresses: Almost any type of heel will do, but strappy sandals particularly complement formal, floor-length dresses.
- Trapeze and Shift Dresses: These styles look fantastic with flats, wedge sandals, block heels, or even boots, depending on the look you’re going for.
- Slip Dresses: Perfect with sneakers, slip-ons, block heels, and sandals—especially strappy ones or wedges.
- Summer Dresses: Summer is all about sandals! Whether flat T-straps, gladiator styles, or wedge sandals, there’s really no bad option.
Don’t Forget the Accessories!
If your shoes still aren’t quite matching the vibe of your outfit, it could be the accessories that make all the difference! While it’s easy to shy away from accessories in casual outfits, don’t hold back! Accessories can be just as simple or as bold as you want—think metallic temporary tattoos, a colorful mini backpack, a quirky rope belt, a statement toe ring, or unique hair accessories.
Small details like these can make a world of difference in pulling an outfit together, so embrace them with the same enthusiasm as you would stepping into your favorite pair of shoes!
