The 7 Best Sneakers to Wear With Dresses & What to Pair Them With
The Ultimate Guide to Styling Dresses With Sneakers Like a Pro
We are eating up the look of sneakers with dresses this spring! The choice is confident, casual, and adaptable for the office or weekend. It's also a great way to modernize more traditional outfits. Of course, it's also ever-so-tricky to pull off at first. This guide to our favorite sneakers to wear with dresses showcases how to look fresh and flawless while rocking the sportiest footwear.
How to Choose the Right Sneakers for Your Dress Style
While there's no gatekeeping with the dress/sneaker look, the right sneakers make all the difference. Sneakers for dresses need to be crisp and fresh. While cool and effortless by nature, sneakers do need something of a "blank slate" quality to avoid a big outfit clash. Here are 5 tips for making the perfect match:
1. Match the vibe of the dress
Casual dresses (like t-shirt or tank dresses) go well with low-profile canvas sneakers, while Sporty or streetwear-inspired dresses work with chunkier, dad-style sneakers. Floaty or romantic dresses pair beautifully with minimalist white sneakers or slip-ons to balance out the softness.
2. Stick to clean, simple designs
White or neutral sneakers are the most versatile—especially if you’re new to the trend. Avoid super athletic or heavily branded sneakers unless you’re going for a bold, sporty contrast on purpose.
3. Play with proportions
Chunky sneakers can look amazing with more fitted or structured dresses. Sleek sneakers help tone down an oversized or voluminous dress for everyday wear.
4. Prioritize ankle visibility
If the dress is midi-length or longer, try platform or low-top sneakers that keep your ankles visible to elongate your legs. For shorter dresses, almost any sneaker height works.
5. Consider color coordination
Pull a color from your dress into your sneakers for a cohesive look—or go fully neutral if you want the shoes to disappear.
Our Favorite Sneakers to Wear With Dresses
We’re loving this season’s sneakers that pair perfectly with everything from breezy sundresses to polished midi looks. Whether you're looking for tennis shoes to wear with dresses or chunky, cloud-feeling sneakers that put some wind beneath your hem, this list offers a look for every taste.
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01
Classic White Sneakers + Solid Colored Dress
@christianblairvordy
Crisp white sneakers can do no wrong. This neutral, versatile choice goes with any color, print, or fabric. There's something about a white sneaker that makes every outfit feel like a vacation outfit.
Not much guidance is needed to pull off a white sneaker with a dress. Our favorite "preppy" white sneaker look is a solid-colored shirt dress with a gold necklace or tennis bracelet over immaculate white court sneakers. There's something about a silky shirt dress in navy blue over white sneakers that calls out Martha's Vineyard or Napa Valley to us. You'll know exactly what we mean after you check out our picks for the 10 best white sneakers. (Image credit: @christianblairvordy)
02
Metallic Sneakers + Casual Dress
@alinagavrilov_
Walk on the wild side with metallic sneakers. This look actually presents a lot more subdued than you'd expect. In fact, we consider metallic sneakers versatile enough to put a pair on our list of the best trending everyday sneakers. Bold-meets-neutral gold, silver, or rose-gold shades are our favorites. We love them with a casual heather or jean dress that hits right above the knee. If you're doing a slip dress for an evening look, a metallic court sneaker is really cute and fresh. (Image credit: @alinagavrilov_)
03
Brightly Colored Sneakers + Bold Patterned Dress
@dreams.of.colour
If you're into sneakers with dresses for the boundary-breaking qualities, this is probably your category. We love any sneaker with bold, funky, or asymmetric color blocks and stitching. Pair them with a bold patterned midi or maxi dress for a cheerful look that’s sure to turn heads. When you're matching sneakers to a dress, we love a pattern-on-pattern look if the colors are similar enough to create an "outfit" vibe.
For a more subtle look, or to really make your bright sneakers the focal point of your outfit, wear them with a white or neutral dress. You could pair any of our favorite wear-to-work dresses for under $200 with bright sneakers for a city-ready look.
Additional pointers? We prefer maxi length with bright colors because it doesn't create the choppy effect you could get with a shorter cut. In general, pick between multicolored sneakers and a long hem or solid-hue bright sneakers and a short hem. Our guide to trending vacation dresses is full of designs that are screaming for a pair of bright, possibly retro-style sneakers. (Image credit: @dreams.of.colour)
04
Slip-On Sneakers + Any Dress (Yes, Really)
@twopeasinablog
Casual takes center stage with fun, fast-on-your-feet slip-ons that look like a breath of fresh air beneath a cute dress. Slip-on sneakers actually work with most dresses. They shine brightest in all their sporty, cool-girl glory with short boho dresses, polo dresses, and tee dresses, but a nice neutral pair can go with just about anything.
Slip-ons are the best sneakers to wear with dresses when dipping a toe into this style for the first time. They create a minimalist, non-distracting effect. You can even wear them with a pencil dress to the office. (Image credit: @twopeasinablog)
05
Chunky Sneakers + Flowy Maxi Dress
@camillebrinchjewellery
Chunky sneakers have had our hearts since elementary school. They're practical and comfortable and a reminder that we were born to run! We love the wholesome, ageless look of a chunky athletic sneaker with a maxi-length prairie-style dress. Chunky sneakers make the biggest statement when contrasting with the light, airy flow of a very feminine dress. We also like a form-fitting midi dress with a chunky sneaker for dressing down a sporty "club girl" look.
Need help picking out cute chunky sneakers? Our guide to trending active sneakers shows off the 20 cutest sneakers for style and comfort.
One last thing—It's OK to wear classic white athletic socks with your dress/sneaker combo. This cute look is having a moment. (Image credit: @camillebrinchjewellery)
06
High-Tops + Fitted Mini Dress
@girl.with.the.sneakers
High-top sneakers help elongate the leg and draw the eye upward from the ground when paired with a shorter hemline or fitting form. By balancing proportions with a shorter hemline, high-tops bring a fun, sporty edge to semi-unstructured cotton and rayon above-the-knee and midi dresses. Think of them as your summertime version of a flattering ankle boot.
Do a modern look with solid-colored high-tops and a solid-colored shirt. Do a throwback to the '90s with a floral dress and classic high-tops from Converse. Our list of the best high-top sneakers making a comeback reads like a yearbook of your favorite school-era footwear from the past 40 years. (Image credit: @girl.with.the.sneakers)
07
Luxury & Designer Sneakers + Casual Midi Dress
@newyorkersinthecity
High-end sneakers instantly elevate a look. They act like statement pieces that give off subtle signals that you really know how to dress. There's something about a boho sundress or tennis polo dress over a sneaker with a designer logo that gets people fascinated. Make your sneakers pop by mixing in a super-casual dress. See our picks for the top 10 investment-worthy designer sneakers of the season for some inspiration. (Image credit: @newyorkersinthecity)
Where to Buy Dress-Worthy Sneakers
Finding the perfect sneakers to go with your dress doesn’t have to be a struggle. When in doubt, head to the major shoe players like DSW, Nordstrom Rack, Bloomingdale's or Amazon. They have the widest selections, so you’re sure to find something to bring your outfit together.
For white sneakers, Adidas and Everlane are our go-to brands for a simple, classic look. To perfect your sporty-chic aesthetic with chunky sneakers, Hoka and New Balance offer variety and comfort. Skechers and Adidas are our go-to brands for bright colors or neons, and Converse and Allbirds have the perfect retro high-tops. For slip-on sneakers that bring country-club vibes on a dime, we stick to Rothy's and VIVAIA.
If you want to try the designer look but are worried about your budget, check out designer resale sites like StockX. You can find all the best names, at a fraction of the cost. For the best deal on sneakers, make sure you check for coupons from your favorite brands before checking out.
We’ve rounded up our top sneaker discounts here:
- StockX coupons
- DSW discount codes
- Nordstrom Rack promo codes
- Bloomingdale’s discounts
- Amazon coupons
- Hoka coupons
- Adidas promo codes
- Rothy’s discounts
- VIVAIA promotions
- Allbirds coupons
How to Style Sneakers With Dresses for Different Occasions
Still iffy on how to pull off sneakers that go with dresses? Let's style it by occasion. One good pair of sneakers is versatile enough to take you from posh daytime cuteness and ambitious office looks to edgy evening outfits and date-ready ensembles.
Casual Daytime Outfits
Don't overthink this! Just throw on white sneakers and sundress. This is our go-to casual daytime look because it's fresh and effortless. There's simply no risk of feeling overdressed or undressed in essentially any scenario.
Work-Appropriate Looks
Give us a structured, perfectly ironed midi dress with sleek, single-tone sneakers any day of the week. This look works because it's the perfect ratio of polished and approachable. You get the perk of looking dressed for work while enjoying a "weekend" level of comfort.
Edgy Streetwear Vibes
Own the sneakers-after-dark look with chunky sneakers, a slip dress, and leather jacket. We're obsessed with this look because it feels like a visual anthem for girls who just want to have fun. This is also the most comfortable way to look club-ready. Dance until dawn without killing your arches in comfy kicks.
Date Night Styling
Designer sneakers with a fitted dress create a polished, comfortable look that oozes confidence. While feminine and flirty, this outfit doesn't make it seem like you were overthinking what to wear. You'll also look the appropriate level of "dressed up" without feeling stuffy.
The Perfect Sneakers to Elevate Your Dress Game
Sneakers and dresses prove that opposites attract. The versatility and comfort of sneakers paired with dresses will have you hooked after just one twirl through the office or around town. The mentality that tennis sneakers are the new ballet flats is one that we've personally embraced at the R&S offices.
Let the fear of doing sneakers with dresses wrong leave your body! Experiment with different styles to see how this duo can play into your own personal sense of style.
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