I Was a VIP Nordstrom Stylist—These Are the Best Shoes to Wear With Jeans and Dresses

Woman showing the best shoes to wear with dresses and jeans.
(Image credit: @stylishsandy)

Assembling chic outfits is Sandy Koszarek's specialty. After all, she spent decades as a VIP stylist at Nordstrom and currently highlights her enviable ensembles on her Instagram and site, Stylish Sandy. Jeans and dresses are two pieces that she, like many out there, wears on repeat. We thought there could be interest in learning more about how she styles these must-haves. Specifically, we wanted to focus on the shoe silhouettes she thinks work perfectly with dresses and jeans because of their versatility.

Below, you'll uncover the shoes—including flats, sandals, and heels—that Koszarek thinks will elevate any look. It's also worth noting that Koszarek thinks the footwear styles in question work with dress and denim styles that run the gamut, including maxi dresses and relaxed jeans. Are you interested in adding a new pair of shoes, a dress, or jeans to your wardrobe? You'll also find summer and fall shopping picks below.

Ballet Flats/Flat Mary Janes

"When I want to wear flats with jeans or longer dresses, I reach for Mary Jane or ballet flats. The styles are classic, but the current styles feel modern and on point." — Koszarek

Kitten/Block Heels

"I like wearing heels with jeans and dresses. They are the perfect height for comfort and style. Plus, there are many options, whether you prefer sandals or slingbacks!" — Koszarek

Woman wearing heels with jeans and a white blazer.

(Image credit: @stylishsandy)

Woman wearing a midi dress with heels.

(Image credit: @stylishsandy)

Slingbacks

"I love wearing a slingback heel with dresses and jeans. Although classic in style, it feels modern and very chic!" — Koszarek

Slides

"Slides are a favorite of mine to wear with jeans and dresses. I love the clean, minimalistic style, and a neutral color or clear straps elongate my legs, making them look longer." — Koszarek

Woman wearing jeans with slide sandals.

(Image credit: @stylishsandy)

Woman wearing a midi dress with slide sandals.

(Image credit: @stylishsandy)

Sneakers

"I love pairing sneakers with both dresses and jeans. White sneakers, especially, offer a clean, classic, and effortlessly chic vibe." — Koszarek

Market Director

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.