I'm Anti-Heels, and These Flat Shoes Will Look Great With Dresses
What can I say? I can't handle wearing heels unless it's a car-to-dinner-seat situation, especially if they are over three inches. Thankfully, the shoe gods have blessed me with a constant stream of flat shoe trends for almost a decade—the last few years, in particular. Nowadays, it's rare to see many in the fashion set wearing heels in the wild. Instead, it's all about comfy shoes that don't sacrifice style, even for formal occasions. I wouldn't have dared show up to an event like a wedding in anything but heels some years back, but times have changed.
Such is the case when it comes to styling dresses in general. There are a plethora of flat shoes that go great with just about any style of dress, whether it be for an everyday outfit or the fanciest of party looks. Below, I share six of my top flat shoe styles to wear with dresses this season. From sneakers to ballet flats to sandals, there's something for everyone on this list.
1. Ballet Flats
Sidsel Alling, a stylish creative from Denmark and one of my favorite people to follow on Instagram, paired her neutral ballet flats with a black minidress, oversize blazer, and cool accessories.
2. Sneakers
Chrissy Rutherford gives her pretty floral dress the cool-girl treatment with white socks and sporty sneakers. This outfit makes for a great summer uniform.
There is something timeless and nostalgic about these black sneakers.
Another great sneaker collab from Wales Bonner and Adidas.
3. Flip-Flops
Who What Wear editor Anna Laplaca is the epitome of cool in an animal-print dress and black platform flip-flops.
The exact flip-flops from LaPlaca's look above.
4. Loafers
Emma Rose Thatcher proves that one of the best ways to give a pretty white dress a bit of an edge is to pair it with some standout loafers.
5. Slide Sandals
Abisola Omole is the picture of effortless in a simple white dress, a layered neutral button-down, and linen-like slide sandals.
These pretty sandals are the same ones that Omole is wearing above.
6. Ankle-Wrap Sandals
The forever chic Lucy Williams opted to pair her sheer black maxi dress with brown ankle-wrap sandals from her new collaboration with Ancient Greek Sandals.
A super luxe-looking sandal that doesn't end up being too much of an investment.
Next up: These French Women Don't Live in Paris, But OMG Their Outfits Are So Good
Jennifer Camp Forbes is currently an editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities for over a decade, including creative director and various editor roles. She’s well-known as a shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups, digital moodboards, and extensive knowledge of up-and-coming brands, plus the new arrivals sections of the chicest retailers. Jennifer has had a lifelong interest in fashion which led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion. While she has called Los Angeles and New York City home in the past, she currently works remotely from Massachusetts. When she’s not obsessing over and writing about her latest fashion finds, she is delighting in raising two little ones with her highschool sweetheart, perusing TikTok religiously, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, creating abstract photographs, and eating the best Mexican food she can get her hands on.
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