These 8 Shoes Go With Every Single Dress

If there's one thing we know our readers are buying right now, it's dresses. Whether it's a floral tea dress or a polka-dot wrap, it seems we're all a little obsessed. The best thing about this season's key styles is you can wear them to your best friend's wedding or on a Sunday afternoon to your local pub. The easiest way to make your midis work for both occasions is all down to the footwear—swap tennis shoes for a midi heel and your dress can work for an entirely different dress code.

One of the questions we get asked the most at Who What Wear is what shoes look best with dresses. There are certain classic choices that will go with every dress in your wardrobes, such as white pumps, leather sliders and wedge espadrilles. Then there are some more 'fashion' choices that can be just as versatile, including velcro sandals and chunky trainers. Keep scrolling to see the shoe-and-dress formulas that go together like gin and tonic.

The Classic Choice: White Pumps

Look best with: Minis, maxis and midis... this is the one pair of shoes that goes with any dress.

One way to wear your fancy dresses you might otherwise only wear for weddings is to pair them with a pair of flat tennis shoes, like Lucy Williams with her Vejas. 

The Classic Choice: Strappy Sandals

Look best with: Cocktail dresses, evening gowns and midi dresses.

For weddings or smarter occasions, you can't go wrong with a strappy sandal, as these really do go with any dress, whether it's a midi wrap, a full-length gown or something a little more casual.

The Classic Choice: Wedge Espadrilles

Look best with: Sun dresses, whether at the beach or at home.

A classic summer choice is a wedge espadrille (our favourites are from Castaner), as they go with any sundress, and work for both the day and the evening.

The Classic Choice: Leather Sliders

Look best with: Tea dresses, midi dresses, mini dresses... these are another wear-with-anything-shoe.

When it comes to sandals the most versatile shoe is arguably a leather slider, as these are smart enough for many offices, but can also are the perfect weekend shoe.

The Classic Choice: Ballet Pumps

Look best with: Party dresses like Eva Chen's Molly Goddard tulle dress... and you guessed it, all other dresses.

Ballet flats are a classic shoe that are perfect for work, but can also be a comfortable alternative to heels for smarter events. The below Aedye pumps will go with almost every summer dress.

The Classic Choice: Black Ankle Boots

Look best with: Midi-to-maxi length dresses.

For days when it's a little cooler, black Chelsea boots or black heeled ankle boots is the best option. These can look a little awkward with dresses just over the knee, so they work better with midi and ankle-grazing lengths.

The "Fashion" Choice: Dad Trainers

Look best with: Pretty dresses— it pays to embrace the contrast.

This might be an unconventional choice, but if you like to go for a statement and to toughen up your pretty dresses, follow the lead of the Copenhagen girls and wear your dresses with chunky Dad trainers. The more colourful, the better.

The 'Fashion' Choice: Velcro Sandals

Look best with: Sun dresses, midi dresses, knitted tunics... and so many more.

We have Prada to thank for the revival of spongey, velcro platform sandals, and these go perfectly with dresses (as shown above), for a more casual look.

Next up, see our guide to the key trends for spring summer 2019.