Sneakers are undoubtedly one of our favorite footwear choices, worn regardless of the season. However, during summer, there’s a surprising fashion trend gaining popularity among many fashion-forward individuals — pairing dresses with sneakers. This unlikely combination is now firmly on the style radar, featuring our favorite trendy sneakers carefully chosen over the past months alongside vibrant summer dresses enthusiastically brought back to life from our closets.
Creating this look sometimes requires more thought than anticipated. Despite fashion’s current flexibility, ensuring your sneakers complement your chosen dresses is key. To save you time, we’ve curated 7 flawless combinations of dresses and sneakers for summer 2024. Discover them below!
RETRO
Reflecting on the retro sneaker trend, it’s been a standout year for Adidas—from Samba to Spezial to Gazelle—as these models have rapidly become coveted pieces. It’s hard to find a dress these sneakers won’t complement. Opt for a black or lighter pair for a neutral outfit, or inject a spring vibe with a bold color.
SPORTY
Leopard-print dresses have dominated the fashion scene for several seasons. If they’re not usually your cup of tea, dare to give them a relaxed transformation with chunky sneakers—think dad sneakers and running models with thick soles that could easily handle 10,000 steps a day. Just ask New Balance.
MONOCHROMATIC
If you plan to pair your sneakers with colorful dresses, consider simpler sneakers that won’t distract from them. What could be more classic than a monochromatic pair?
HIGH-TOP SNEAKERS
Converse sneakers have always been favorites across generations, and we’ve noticed influencers increasingly embracing them again. If you already own a pair, congratulations—high-top sneakers are among the easiest designs to pair with dresses.
WHITE CANVAS SNEAKERS
If you’re a minimalist, you probably already have a pair of Superga’s classic canvas sneakers in your shoe collection. We’re inspired by how Kim used hers to give a floral mini dress a preppy touch.
RUNNING SNEAKERS
Okay, maybe we’re not professional marathoners, but that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate seeing runners style their athletic sneakers with pieces other than leggings. How do you like Vivian’s combination of an asymmetric dress and running sneakers?
GRAY SNEAKERS
We’ve established that monochromatic sneakers look chic with dresses, especially for contrasting with a white dress. When it comes to solid-colored sneakers, there’s no more elegant option than sophisticated gray. It’s the obvious choice when black feels too heavy and white too bright.