Some Flat-Shoe and Dress Combinations Don't Work, But These 7 Definitely Do

Once upon a time, it was almost inconceivable to imagine styling a dress with anything but heels. Whether heading into the office, going out for lunch on the weekend or attending a special event, our poor feet never got a break. But luckily for both our wardrobes and our ankles, times have changed and trends have evolved. These days, we're styling almost any dress in our wardrobe with flats of some sort, whether that be sleek trainers, pointed-toe ballet flats, or pair of sharp loafers.

All of these covetable styles will evoke a different mood in a dress, depending on which you choose; and it certainly helps that flat shoes continue to be a top footwear trend for 2025, with swaths of new, chic and comfortable designs continuing to appear. If you're still trying to figure out how to swap out the heels for flats this season, read on to discover seven ways to wear flat shoes with dresses that are easy to copy, along with my shoppable picks for re-creating the look, just in time for spring no less.

1. LINEN DRESS + MINIMALIST SANDALS

Style Notes: A trusty linen dress is a wardrobe must-have, especially for the really warm days. A minimal sandal style allows you to keep the outfit polished without punishing your feet with an uncomfortable stiletto.

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2. BILLOWY DRESS + SLEEK LOAFERS

Style Notes: As we approach warmer days, a billowy dress becomes more and more tempting. But to keep it professional enough for work—and suitable for unpredictable British spring weather—a trusty loafer is in order.

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3. MINI DRESS + RETRO TRAINERS

Style Notes: Unlike chunky trainers, sleeker retro styles add a cool edge without dressing down a dress too much. The charm of retro trainers is in their sporty edge that can make any simple dress feel more "fashion".

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4. EVENING DRESS + ANKLE-TIE BALLET FLATS

Style Notes: Gone are the days when we had to bring out the heels when dressing for an occasion. Ankle-tie ballet flats make for an elegant pairing that will see you through your evening events in style.

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5. Slip Dress + Ballet Flats

Style Notes: We're big advocates of the slip dress over here—these slinky numbers are impressively versatile, and can easily go from day to night with a few accessory switches. Layering a cardigan over your go-to and adding a pair of classic ballet flats creates an effortlessly cool look with just the right amount of polish.

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6. Shift Dress + Velvet Flats

Style Notes: If you want to hold onto your favourite black pieces once the sun comes out, this is the outfit for you. Plus, the non-rainy spring days are pretty much the only time you can safely wear velvet flats and benefit from their undeniable elegance...

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7. Slip Dress + Pointed-Toe Flats

Style Notes: If you needed any further proof that flats could be more than appropriate for evening wear, this is it. I love how Dawn has used an oversized jumper to keep the whole ensemble a little more low-key, yes still incredibly chic.

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This piece was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.