“Forget glass slippers, this princess wears sneakers!” – Unknown
Today, cute and comfortable is the go-to OOTD for any practical fashionista. The sneaker-dress combo has become a classic for its ability to marry style with comfort. Wearing it instantly gives you girl-next-door vibes with its relaxed, approachable, and laid-back ensemble.
Versatile and cute, sneakers with dresses can be worn on countless occasions—coffee dates, lazy Sunday brunches, picking up groceries, dinner with the parents, and more. The winning combo became even more popular when A-list celebrities like Taylor Swift, Jessica Alba, Kylie Jenner, and Sofia Vergara began wearing it.
If you’ve never tried this look before or are looking for more style inspo, this article is for you. Know which pair of sneakers to wear with different types of dresses for a mix-and-match wardrobe that can be anything from edgy to girly to elegant.
Cute Sneakers to Pair With Your Dresses
#1. White Low-Top, Lace-up Sneakers
Having a classic pair of white sneakers is a nonnegotiable for women. It is considered the jack-of-all-trades when it comes to footwear. The versatility of a good pair of white sneakers is endless. It is a casual footwear that you can easily pair with a linen dress, maxi dresses, and mini dresses—and the result is always a relaxed and clean look. Low profile sneakers can be worn with almost any style of dress and will give your outfit a laid-back vibe.
The challenge here is finding the best white sneakers for your dresses. The market is overflowing with choices, but make sure you go for something you’ll love for many years and a pair that you can match seamlessly with your dresses.
Keds’ Champion Sneakers in white is a great option for a minimal sneaker. Taylor Swift fans will have a pair or two from this brand, given that she was the spokesperson for it. The classic sneakers from Keds have been around since 1916. Despite all the new colors and designs, their white sneakers are an icon, worn by famous figures like Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Onassis.
Other smart white sneaker options you can consider are Veja’s Campo Chromefree Leather White Natural, the Chuck Taylor All-Star in White, and the Adidas Stan Smith.
Style Tips:
- White, low-cut, and laced sneakers are incredibly versatile, so you can effortlessly match them with any dress length, neck style, and sleeve design.
- The dress’s pattern, fabric, or color doesn’t matter because a pair of white sneakers goes well with every palette and print.
For a cheery and casual look for sightseeing, pair up this fun print Jersey dress from Boden with a pair of Addidas Stan Smith. Complete the look with a bucket hat to keep the sun off your head and face.
#2. Chunky Sneakers
Thanks to Asian culture, particularly Korea and Japan, the demand for chunky white sneakers continues to rise. These shoes have more intricate and rough soles than low-cut sneakers.
The chunky construction might remind us of our father’s sneakers since the style has been around since the 1980s. If you want to look taller, these are the sneakers for you. Even Princess Diana, who was an avid fan of the footwear, would agree that it provides an added oomph to one’s style.
Today, chunky sneakers are commonly paired with a mini skirt and blazer. Most women wear a pair of white high socks with them. It also complements a minimalist and figure-hugging maxi dress in earthy colors.
Although it’s dubbed as old dad’s sneakers and even ugly sneakers, you can’t go wrong with these specific brands and models: the Fila Disruptor, the Nike Air Max 97, and Steve Madden’s Possession Shoes. Nike Air Force is another chunkier sneaker to consider.
If solid white chunky sneakers aren’t your thing, go for a pair of trainers with some color and coordinate it with your dress.
Style Tips:
- Above-the-knee dresses are recommended for chunky sneakers because they elongate the legs while the soles add to your height.
- Highlight your chunky sneakers or your outfit, but never both at the same time. They should complement one another and not go against each other. So, stick to neutral and classic colorways for your chunky footwear to avoid going overboard.
#3. High-Cut Shoes
High-cut or high-top sneakers have come and gone with various fashion trends, but they remain a good choice for dresses. It adds attitude and edge to your appearance even if your dress is pink and floral.
Surprisingly, high-cut sneakers match well with any dress length. You can pair them with a denim jacket of any pattern and design to complete your outfit. For a more casual look, wear your high-tops with a leather mini-skirt and a sleeveless top, then wrap a plaid polo jacket around your waist.
For a super trendy look, combine a white midi dress with high top sneakers. The femininity of a dress contrasted with chic sneakers yields a cool, edgy look.
When it comes to high-cut sneakers, nothing beats Converse’s Chuck All Star 70. This is a vintage that you can easily use to create countless casual looks. Another option is the Nike Blazer Mid ’77.
Style Tips:
- Midi-length and snug maxi dresses, like bodycon types, look good with high-cut sneakers.
- Skater skirts and balloon-type mini-skirts with high-cut sneakers emphasize the legs.
- Layered dresses are also a perfect match for this kind of footwear.
#4. Slip-On Sneakers
A great way to complete your dressy look is with slip-on sneakers, which you can easily wear in seconds. If you’re always in a rush, this is the best shoe for you. Most, if not all, slip-on sneakers are designed to be lightweight, so they’re more comfortable than other styles.
Without laces or zippers, a pair of slip-on sneakers can also effortlessly complete your OOTD if you wear it with wrap-around dresses, skater dresses, or jumper skirts.
Hands down, Vans’ Classic Slip-On in White is at the top of our list for slip-on sneakers. If you want a more attention-grabbing pair, opt for glittery and sparkly ones from Sketchers.
Style Tips:
- Slips-on are versatile and can be paired with any dress.
- Skip the socks when wearing this type of sneakers, or wear an ankle-length pair so it won’t be visible.
#5. Platform Sneakers
If you want to add a few inches to your height, platform sneakers are your best option. Compared to chunky shoes that also add height, platform sneakers provide you with a classic rubber sole. Don’t worry—the additional inches don’t compromise the comfort and safety of the footwear.
When mixing and matching dresses with sneakers, dresses with puffed sleeves and ruffled dresses look great with platform sneakers. Many even dare to wear the combo for formal occasions like weddings. Even brides have been known to hide platform sneakers under their gowns, preferring their comfort over stilettos and high heels.
Keds, Puma, and Converse each have their own take on this footwear.
Style Tips:
- Above-the-knee and knee-level party dresses with sequins, glitter, or fringes look good with platform sneakers.
- Skip the high socks when wearing platform sneakers. Opt for no-show or boat socks.
Styling Tips for Wearing Sneakers With Dresses
You can make this powerful combo your fashion staple. With a decent selection of sneakers and dresses, you’ll have multiple possibilities. For more styling tips based on this trend, check out our tips below.
- Sneakers are essentially casual so a laidback dress is recommended. Something too formal and glamorous may give you a mismatched look.
- Knit, cotton, denim fabrics, flowy designs, and minimalist styles give off a cooler vibe when paired with sneakers.
- Most of the time, any length of dress works with the dress x sneakers combo, but relaxed dresses like mini and maxi dresses, shirt dresses, and slightly above-the-knee dresses work best with any kind of sneakers.
- Add character to your dress and sneakers combo with the right accessories. With a laid-back theme, you can add accessories to your ensemble, like a crossbody bag, denim jacket, belt, or layered necklaces. Just remember not to wear too many accessories because it would be overkill.
- Investing in a pair of white sneakers is an easy decision. But if you want to add color to your collection, make sure you’ve got your basics covered first. Have a pair in nude or beige and black. From there, you can splurge on bolder colors and sneakers with unique colorways.
- Pair elaborately styled dresses with plain sneakers that have thin soles. If your dress has loud prints, bold colors, or a busy design, balance it with simple white sneakers. The same goes if your sneakers are loud and colorful—wear a classic dress with a simple design to keep the focus on your shoes without overwhelming the eye.
- You have a few options when it comes to color. You can go monochromatic, wear a classic color combination, or pick an accent color. Monochromatic entails wearing one color, possibly in different shades. When wearing classic color combinations, you can use patterns that employ your chosen colors. If you’re wearing a printed dress, pick one color from the pattern and wear sneakers that match it.
Final Thoughts
Sneakers with dresses have become a classic fashion style. The trend can be worn by all women, regardless of age and fashion preferences. Fashion has always pitted style against comfort but when it comes to cute sneakers with dresses, you can enjoy both.
Whether you prefer low-cut, chunky, high-cut, slip-on, or platform sneakers (or maybe all of the above if you’re a sneakerhead), several types of dresses can complement them. So, grab your favorite sneakers, style your outfits with our handy tips and look your best while enjoying comfortable footwear!
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