Pairing sneakers with a dress or skirt has always been trendy or at least on the verge of trendy. It is a fun way to take a simple skirt to the next level, and here are a few ways you can pull it off like a style icon.
Balance Proportions
Whether you’re wearing a skirt or a flowy boho dress, the first thing to consider is matching proportions. For example, if you’re styling a tailored, form-fitting dress or skirt, opt for a more streamlined sneaker to keep the look balanced.
While this isn’t a strict rule, it’s helpful to keep in mind to ensure your outfit feels cohesive. Choosing the right shoes can make it clear that they were a deliberate choice rather than just the first thing you threw on. For example, pairing Johnny Was boho dresses with carefully selected sneakers can make your outfit feel stylish and intentional.
Colors
For colors, it is always best to try and match your sneakers to the clothes you own. For example, white sneakers match well with almost anything, while more colorful and bright sneakers will pair well with a neutral wardrobe.
If you are only looking to purchase one pair of sneakers, white is the best choice, but black, cream, and beige are also perfect options depending on your wardrobe.
Casual vs Formal
There is also an element of formality and casualness when it comes to sneakers, and it is important to recognize the difference. For example, “formal” sneakers are often one, neutral color, with little to no patterns. This is because they reflect a typical formal outfit.
Casual sneakers are brighter and louder, and will often look almost out of place at a very formal event.
Types of Sneakers You Need
Now that you have a few tips for styling your sneakers with your skirt and dress, here are a few of the best sneakers to have in your wardrobe to pull this look off.
Nike
Nike has been a stalwart in the sneaker world for years, and this is because there are endless styles and colors to choose from. When it comes to which ones to pick, you can never go wrong with a pair of white Air Force 1s.
If these aren’t for you, there are plenty of Nike Blazers to choose from, and there are also several affordable leisure sneakers that will fit brilliantly into your wardrobe.
Converse
Converse All Stars are ideal for bringing a touch of grunge into your outfit, but in a way that is still super-stylish and on-trend. The high-top style with the simple design also lends itself to almost any dress or skirt.
White or black would be the two best choices, but there are also plenty of colors to choose from that will allow you to match your shoes to your outfit.
Adidas
Adidas’s classic Samba and tennis shoe styles are ultra sleek and streamlined, and easily add a touch of casual sophistication to your outfit. Considering these shoes are also ultra-comfortable, you can easily wear them all day without a problem.
Once again, opt for more muted, neutral colors, but the variety of styles that Adidas offers means you can find a pair for almost any outfit you may have.
Platform
Brands such as Puma, New Balance and many others have been creating platform sneakers for a while now. They are incredibly trendy, versatile, and comfortable, and add an extra touch of fun to a standard pair of sneakers.
While they aren’t vastly different to regular sneakers, besides the platform, they are eye-catching and unique, and can give you that extra touch of height without having to wear heels.
Colorful
Everyone should have at least one pair of ultra-colorful sneakers that can be worn with your more simple, neutral skirts and dresses. When it comes to this type of sneaker, there are no rules, as you can simply pick whichever color you want.
If you do want to get a bit more specific with your choice, don’t look at the clothing you own, but rather your accessories. You can match your sneakers to your jewelry, handbag, hat, or anything else you wear a lot or often.
Neutral
As mentioned already, you need a pair of neutral sneakers if you want them to be a more understated, cohesive part of your outfit. Think of neutral sneakers as the final touch, rather then the main star of your outfit.
Dad Sneakers
Dad sneakers, especially those by brands such as New Balance, add a more retro feel to your outfit. While they may get a bad rap from some, nowadays, they are far more sought-after and popular than they were a decade or two ago.
Their biggest draw is how comfortable they are, with many having super-soft, padded soles that let you wear them for hours on end without you noticing you even have them on.
Finally, it is incredibly easy to style sneakers with skirts and dresses when you know where to start. Thanks to the wide variety of sneakers on the market, you can also find the perfect pair that suits you and your style, and one that will take every outfit you wear to the next level.
Images from Rokh Fall Winter 2022.23 Collection – see full article here.
