7 Types of Sneakers That Look Perfect With Any Dress in Your Closet

By Amber Rambharose
Published on January 10, 2024 @ 10:57AM
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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.

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Nike Sneakers

Three women wear Nike sneakers with dresses.

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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 to color matching or color-blocking route when pairing a dress with these sneakers.

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White Sneakers

Three women wear white sneakers with dresses.

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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.

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Dad Sneakers

Three women wear dad sneakers with dresses

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We likely won't be escaping the burgeoning popularity of the dad sneaker—not to be confused with the chunky dad sneaker, which is its own genre—anytime soon, so we're leaning in by taking an elevated approach to styling these celeb-loved sneakers. 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.

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Chunky Sneakers

Three women wear chunky sneakers with dresses.

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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.

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Platform Sneakers

Three women wear platform sneakers with dresses.

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A close cousin to the chunky sneaker, platform sneakers have a touch less edge—quite literally—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.

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Colorful Sneakers

Three women wear colorful sneakers with dresses.

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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. Last, not least, but certainly low-lift, check your closet for dresses featuring colorful prints or patterns and choose a pair of sneakers in a similar color family for a cohesive, more subtle look.

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Adidas Sneakers

Three women wear Adidas sneakers with dresses.

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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. One option is to amp up these sneakers' timeless vibe by wearing them with an equally timeless midi dress in a jewel tone or elevated print. Alternatively, you can use these sneakers to ground an over-the-top playful look by wearing them with tiers of sheer tulle for a coquettish statement look.

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