Effortless style is elusive, but the sublimely casual combination of a dress and sneakers hits the nail on the head every time. Not only does this foolproof ‘fit allow you to show off your arsenal of dresses—silhouettes from micro minis to full-skirted maxi dresses are fair game—but it’s a perfect fashion solution for the packed days on your schedule. Have a day of errands followed by a movie date? There’s a dress and sneakers look for that. Rushing from brunch to happy hour? This anti-try-hard pairing has you covered.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up 21 stellar ways to style a dress with sneakers, plus all the styling tips you need to rock the look all year long.
1. Nike Sneakers
Whether you love high tops, low tops, or edgy statement sneakers, there’s a pair of Nikes out there that’ll suit your aesthetic and look great with a dress. Since Nike delivers sneakers in so many vibrant shades, we recommend going the color-matching or color-blocking route when pairing a dress with these sneakers.
- Nike Air Jordan 1 Low SE – $125
- Nike Women’s High Dunks – $135
- Nike x Martine Rose Nike Shox MR4 in Scuba Blue – $270
2. White Sneakers
White sneakers are a classic wardrobe staple for a reason: they go with everything. When it comes to styling white sneakers with dresses, you can’t go wrong with an all-white or timeless black-and-white color palette. If you’re not a fan of minimalism, try pairing white sneakers with your favorite floral dress for a breezy, bohemian vibe.
- Veja White Leather Sneaker – $150
- Celine Low Lace-Up Trainer – $790
- Cole Haan Grand Pro Sneaker – $150
3. Dad Sneakers
We likely won’t be escaping the burgeoning popularity of the dad sneaker anytime soon. When worn with a chic wrap dress or linen maxi, dad sneakers become deliciously subversive. They’re equally on point when given a ’90s-styling treatment via a slip dress worn over a tee shirt.
- New Balance Unisex Sneaker – $110
- Asics Unisex Gel Sneakers – $95
- Axel Arigato Marathon Runner Sneaker – $410
4. Chunky Sneakers
Chunky sneakers tend to have a bit of bulge in their silhouettes, making them supremely comfortable statement shoes. Wearing these shoes with dresses featuring thigh-high slits, elegant draping, or airy fabrics with slip and movement such as chiffon, silk, or satin, is a great way to balance out their bulkiness.
- Louis Vuitton Archlight Sneaker – $1,260
- Sorel Day Sneaker – $75
- Fila Unit V2 Sneaker – $100
5. Platform Sneakers
A close cousin to the chunky sneaker, platform sneakers have a touch less edge and are generally found in sleeker silhouettes than their more abstractly shaped chunky counterparts. While there’s no wrong way to wear platform sneakers with dresses, we prefer putting those extra inches to work and wearing platform sneakers with long maxi dresses.
- Converse Run Star Motion CX Platforms – $120
- Chloé Platform Low Top Sneakers – $795
- Kurt Geiger Pumper Sneaker – $185
6. Colorful Sneakers
Street style is all about catching the eye, and nothing pops on concrete quite like a colorful sneaker. Create a dopamine-inducing color-blocked ‘fit by wearing sneakers and accessories in the same vibrant shade and a dress in a contrasting color. Alternatively, you can go for a monochromatic moment by picking two-tone sneakers that match your dress and outerwear.
- Chuck Taylor All Star Lift Platforms – $75
- FENTY x PUMA Creeper Phatty Women’s Sneakers – $140
- Brooks Ghost 15 Running Shoes – $140
7. Adidas Sneakers
Another celebrity favorite, Adidas sneakers are among the most streamlined styles in this roundup. While the brand does deliver some stellar color combinations, its classic Samba and tennis shoe styles in black and white are especially great options to wear with dresses thanks to their versatility.
- Adidas Samba OG Shoes in Black – $100
- Adidas Grand Court 2.0 Sneaker – $70
- Adidas Samba Classic Shoes in White – $90
