What Shoes to Wear with a Summer Dress?

Do you love wearing summer dresses, but are unsure about how to choose shoes that will enhance them? Would you like to find out which pair to wear with a dressy outfit? Or perhaps with a more casual dress?

You’ve come to the right place.

As a fashion enthusiast, I understand how much the choice of shoes contributes to defining a style and is therefore essential. When you've discovered a beautiful summer dress, it's only natural to want to wear it stylishly to highlight it!

That's why I'm sharing all my tips with you today on how to find the perfect shoes to match your summer outfits.

Once you’ve chosen your summer dress, the type of shoes you select will depend on its style and length. If your dress is short or hits just above the knee, you can wear flats or low heels: ballet flats, flat sandals, lightweight canvas sneakers, or gladiator sandals… If it’s a slightly longer dress, don’t hesitate to opt for wedges or heeled sandals to create a lovely silhouette. A pair of stilettos or chic bohemian sandals with fine leather straps would be perfect for adding the finishing touch to a dressed-up summer outfit. For a special occasion or if you’re looking to achieve a sophisticated style, feel free to wear shoes in light or metallic colours.

Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:

• Simple tips for choosing shoes that match your outfit,
• Which colours and materials of shoes to consider based on your dress,
• When to wear open-toe shoes,
• A selection of perfect styles for a casual yet chic look,
• And ideas for shoes suitable to wear with a dressy summer dress.

How to Match Your Shoes with Your Summer Dress?

Identify the dress style

Before settling on a specific shoe style, take a moment to consider your dress: is it more dressed up or casual? Trendy and unique or rather classic and understated? The answers to these questions should guide you in selecting your pair of shoes, which, as much as possible, should harmonise with your dress choice to create a balanced look.

Adjust to its Length

There are three main types of summer dresses:

• mini: above the knee,
• midi: at knee level or just below,
• maxi: long down to the ankle, or even lower.

To create a lovely outfit, the rule is quite simple: the shorter your dress, the less you need high heels. This means that a mini or midi dress can be paired with flat shoes or even small heels.

If you prefer a long style, opting for heels will help to visually elongate your legs, which will slim your silhouette while adding a touch of elegance. If you're not a fan of heels, you can also wear wedge sandals, which will provide the same visual effect but with the comfort of flat shoes.

Create reminders and a colour harmony

Certain shades of shoes pair well with a wide range of colours: these include brown and cognac tones, which are perfect for wearing with summer dresses. Black shoes can also work, provided the dress isn't too light or in overly bright tones. If you choose this colour to wear with a delicate, feminine dress, go for understated sandals with thin straps instead of flashy shoes.

👉 Also consider whether your dress (or the belt you plan to wear as an accessory) has loops or metallic details. If it does, don't hesitate to match them with the buckles on your shoes, or even with metallic shoes. Whether it's gold, silver, or even bronze, these shoes are perfect for showcasing your feet and highlighting them for the summer.

Choose a Suitable Material

Just like colour, the material of your shoes plays a crucial role in your style. Leather sandals are more durable and stylish, while fabric shoes offer a more casual and laid-back vibe. They also have the advantage of keeping your feet cooler, which is especially nice during a heatwave.

🛑 If you need to walk a lot or wear your shoes for long periods, try to avoid all plastic materials (like flip-flops, etc.) as much as possible. They are not very comfortable, can make your feet sweat a lot, and tend to cause blisters easily. However, they are quite handy as backup shoes for going swimming or for wearing by the pool.

In what context can one wear open sandals with a summer dress?

Open-toe shoes are definitely more suitable for summer, but they may not be appropriate in a formal context, especially at work if you need to meet clients, for instance.

On the contrary, most closed sandals are suitable for a more formal dress code. If you're looking to stay a bit cooler, you can choose open shoes that are closed at the front but open at the back.

For a simple and stylish look, don't hesitate to choose neutral-coloured shoes that are fairly basic and easy to pair with most of your outfits.

👉 If your shoes show off your toes, don’t hesitate to apply some colourful nail polish that matches the colour of your dress. This little touch of elegance will truly enhance your outfit!

4 Chic and Comfortable Casual Shoe Styles to Wear with a Dress This Summer

Are you looking for everyday shoes that are easy to wear? If so, check out our selection in the following sections!

Boho Flat Sandals

These lovely, simple shoes will look fantastic with a short or mid-length bohemian dress. They can also be paired with a long dress, but they're more suited for holidays or a relaxing day. With their delicate straps, they showcase your feet without making them too hot!

👉 Discover our range of bohemian sandals directly from our online store!

Gladiator Sandals

These uniquely styled sandals rise up over your ankles, enhancing your look. They pair perfectly with a short dress and make a great alternative to heels. For a subtle and romantic style, choose a shade of natural leather.

Black gladiator sandals are perfect for a sexy look, great for a night out, for instance.

Plain Sneakers

Wearing sneakers with a dress is something that's quite popular and easy to pull off these days! It allows for freedom of movement while still looking feminine and stylish. If you're unsure about which style to choose, I recommend going for plain white low-top sneakers, whether in canvas or leather. They can elevate both a long dress and a short one, no matter what your style is.

👉 Discover all our tips on how to pair a dress with sneakers in our dedicated guide!

Espadrilles

Affordable and comfortable, espadrilles come in a wide range of patterns and colours. There are even heeled options for a slightly more chic look! With a short or mid-length summer dress, choose a pair of espadrilles in a matching shade to create a casual outfit for heading to the beach or enjoying a lovely holiday day.

Fringed Ankle Boots for a Bold Boho Chic Look

Do you want to showcase your hippie chic side? Feel free to team a long bohemian dress with leather ankle boots. Details like fringes, embroidery, or colourful beads will be perfect to complete your unique look!

This style is perfect for showcasing what makes you unique every day, or for achieving an exceptional look during an evening out or a festival. 😉

3 Stylish Shoe Styles for a Smart and Elegant Summer Outift

Are you looking for stylish shoes to complement a summer dress for a special occasion or to match your personal style? Check out our tips and inspiration!

Open-toe or Closed-toe Heels

Summer is a season filled with invitations to various events: christenings, weddings, birthday parties... plenty of occasions to dress to impress! To elevate a stylish summer dress, you might opt for pretty patent pumps in vibrant colours that will complement your summer outfit perfectly. These can be classic, matching the hue of your dress, or a bit more unique, featuring thin straps or colourful details.

Strappy Sandals

Just like heels, beautiful plain leather sandals with thin straps are a reliable choice to complete a chic and dressed-up outfit. Choose a colour that matches your dress or your various accessories, and make sure your shoes fit your feet well and are comfortable. 😉

Chic Bohemian Wedges

Looking for a style that’s both elegant and natural? If you’re wearing a lovely flowy dress, don’t hesitate to pair it with a set of wedge sandals made from leather, fabric, or even with a woven sole, like espadrilles. This look will pair perfectly with a long bohemian dress in white or pastel shades, which is very on-trend!

I hope this article has helped you to find the perfect shoes to match your dress, so you can create an outfit that makes you feel beautiful this summer! Also, check out our wide range of chic bohemian dresses, to discover a style that enhances your beauty and truly reflects who you are!

Bohemian Long Dress