These are my Favorite Sneakers to Wear with Dresses & How to Style Them

Looking for the best sneakers to wear with dresses of all kinds? Today I'm going to be helping you pinpoint the best dress with sneaker outfits and combos!

The great thing about dresses is that they're versatile and can be dressed up or down to be edgy, elegant, and/or feminine. And a plus is that all women have them in their wardrobes!

Whether you're running errands or going out for brunch with friends, a chic pair of sneakers can elevate your look while keeping you comfortable at the same time.

And with so many different sneaker styles on the market, there isn't a shortage of choice! 

In this post, you'll learn about all the cute sneakers for dresses & how to style them.

(Related: Easy Chic Shoes to Wear with Dresses)

9 Chic Sneakers to Wear with Dresses

1. White Sneakers 

Classic white sneakers will never go out of style—and there's a good reason. These are shoes that go with everything! 3 main types of white sneakers with dresses work great.

These include white canvas sneakers, white leather sneakers, and white luxury sneakers. Both sneaker materials can be found in everyday classics or high-end designer styles.

Canvas sneakers will look more summery and casual. Try a comfy pair of ergonomic Taos Plimsoul or Taos Star sneakers. Or, for old times' sake, a set of white Vans Old Skool or Converse Chuck Taylor's.

White leather versions will look more sporty (Nike Air Force 1s) and, depending on the sneaker style, will look sleeker.

Luxury white sneakers will elevate even the most mundane dress outfit, like a pair of white Golden Goose sneakers which I've reviewed, here.

Whether you're wearing a utility or sweater dress, these versatile shoes will pull your whole outfit together while keeping you comfortable.

Choose a simple shift dress and add a moto or jeans jacket. Or go for a more elaborate dress with your white sneakers. 

Best Dresses for White Sneakers:

• Silky slip dress + white canvas sneakers
• White Baby doll dress + white leather sneakers
• Bodycon dress + white leather Nike Air Force 1
• Knit dress + luxury white leather sneakers

2. Retro Sneakers 

Love vintage vibes? Then you'll love retro sneakers with your dresses! Choose a dress in a fun print or bright color to maximize the look. Then, add a pair of retro-inspired sneakers like Reebok Classics or Adidas' Gazelles. 

Or, choose a white or little black dress with colorful retro sneakers. These sneakers look fab with flowy maxi dresses and also fun with sweater dresses styled with some sporty socks and summer dresses. 

Best Dresses for Retro Sneakers:

• Sweatshirt dresses
• Sweater dress
• Button-down printed midi and maxi dresses
• Denim Dresses

3. High Top Sneakers

Try pairing high-top sneakers with your favorite dress for an edgy take on the classic sneaker-and-dress combo. 

This look is ideal for women who want to add a touch of tomboyish charm to their outfits. 

Just make sure to choose a dress that falls above or below the calf so that your legs don't look shortened by the high tops. And if you want to make heads turn, try adding a pop of color with your shoes! Trust us, it'll look so fun!

Best Dresses to Wear with High Top Sneakers:

• Midi and Maxi Dresses with a side or front slit
• Mini dresses
• T-shirt dresses
• Sweatshirt dresses

4. Dad Sneakers

Dad sneakers have been in style with everything from joggers and dresses. This is thanks to those grey-toned New Balance 990 sneakers worn by almost every influencer in the last couple of years!

Dad sneakers are somewhat boring-meets-running-retro-sneakers. Their normcore aesthetic works well in contrast with tight and/or feminine dresses. 

However, dad sneakers pretty much work well with any dress. These work well to dress the look down. Add white crew socks for an even more casual dress with sneakers outfit.

Best Dresses for Dad Sneakers:

• Bodycon dresses
• Sporty, knit dresses
• Silky slip dresses
• Shirt dresses
• Floral midi dresses

5. Platform Sneakers

Platform sneakers are the way to go if you're looking for a way to add extra height (without sacrificing comfort). 

As they add quite a bit of volume to your look, I suggest keeping the rest of your outfit relatively simple. 

Try pairing them with something like a slip dress or a mini dress with a fuller skirt to balance the proportions. Add a chunky bag to complete the look!

Best Dresses for Platform Sneakers:

• Floral Slip dresses
• Skater Dresses
• Sweatshirt dresses
• Sporty Dresses

6. Slip-On Sneakers

If you've ever struggled with what sneakers to wear with dresses, slip-on sneakers are the way to go! They're comfortable, stylish, and versatile – perfect for any occasion. They come in all sorts of colors and prints. 

Slip-on sneakers are much less casual than regular lace-up sneakers. So with the right dress, these can look almost like sporty loafers – perfect for everyday work dress outfits.

For summertime, opt for a lightweight canvas slip-on sneaker. White and/or perforated slip-ons make great, closed-toe summer shoes with dresses! 

Opt for a darker slip-on sneaker or a fun animal print like leopard or snake paired with a denim or cozy sweater dress for fall.

Throw on a leather jacket or cardigan to complete the look. Either way, slip-on sneakers are a great way to add a touch of edge to your outfit without sacrificing comfort. 

Fave Dresses for Slip-on Sneakers:

• Shift dresses
• Sweater Dresses
• Sundresses
• Shirt Dresses
• Sweatshirt Dresses

7. Chunky Sneakers

Chunky shoes are in style, which means chunky sneakers are also! If you're daring, try teaming them with an unexpected dress like a tulle ballgown or sequined mini dress.

Trust me, it'll work—just keep the rest of your jewelry minimal, so you don't look too overdone. However, chunky sneakers can look fab with sporty dresses or in contrast to leopard print dresses or floral frocks. 

Choose a neutral-colored pair of chunky sneakers with dresses, or opt for a bright color-blocked style to make even more of a statement! 

Add a voluminous sweater dress or chunky puffer in fall or winter to balance the look.

Best Dresses for Chunky Sneakers:

• Sweatshirt dresses
• Shirt dresses
• Flirty sundresses
• Skater dresses

8. Athletic Sneakers

If the only sneakers in your closet or athletic style sneakers, don't fret! These sporty sneakers look great with dresses.

Whether you're changing into a dress after the gym and didn't bring other shoes, or your feet need more support, you can wear these sneakers with dresses!

I love a sporty knit sneaker or white-soled black athletic sneakers with simple dresses. However, if you have brightly colored running shoes, you can play up the look. Add an oversized sweatshirt dress or a colorful mini dress!

Best Dresses for Athletic Sneakers:

• Any sporty dress
• T-shirt dresses
• Knit dresses
• Sweatshirt dresses
• Bodycon mini or midi dresses
• Skater dresses

9. Low Profile Sneakers

Low-profile sneakers, with their minimal aesthetic, are the ultimate sneakers for dresses! They are sleek and, unlike most other sneakers with dresses mentioned in this post – offer a more subtle casual look.

Low-profile, lace-up sneakers with dresses are classic pairings. Pick a white, black, or simple hue to match a minimal dress style. 

Or contrast a voluminous and/or printed dress with the sneakers. A lot of ladies over 40 prefer them, as do I!

Best Dresses for Low Profile Sneakers:

• Tighter, less voluminous dresses
• Mini dresses
• Work dresses
• Dainty dresses, like slip dresses

Styling Popular Dresses with Sneakers

Bodycon Dresses

There's a lot of wiggle room for styling a bodycon dress with sneakers outfit. White Air Force 1s are a top contender for casual-yet-trendy outfits, but chunky styles are all the rage too.

I love a tight chic sweater dress with chunk sneakers or a shorter bodycon dress with low-profile sneakers, myself!

Black Dresses

A little black dress with sneakers makes for a great outfit! You can play up a fancier black dress with a low-profile sneakers. Or, you can add a sporty pair to a simple LBD.

Chunky sneakers with a roomy black sweatshirt dress. Add a fun colorful bag or keep things simple with a black purse. Check out my post about all the best shoes to wear with a black dress, which includes colors and styles!

T-shirt Dresses

There's nothing quite as laid back than a t-shirt dress with sneakers outfit! From basic t-shirt dreses to longer, roomier versions, printed or plain all sneakers work well with them.

This outfit combo makes for various layers including moto jackets, trench coats, denim jackets and even fun sequin ones.

Shirt Dresses

There are so many ways to style a shirt dress and sneakers are just one of them! You can go for a structured shirt dress or looser one.

Want to wear a shirt dress with sneakers for work? Try a simple pair of white or black low-profile lace ups or slip-ons for a subdued look. Find out all the best shoes to wear with a shirt dress in my dedicated post!

Best Sneaker Brands We Love:

• Adidas Sneakers
• New Balance Sneakers
• Nike Sneakers
• Reebok Sneakers
• Golden Goose Sneakers
• Veja Sneakers

Final Dress + Sneakers Styling Tips

No matter what your personal style is, there's bound to be a sneaker out there that will work for you—you just have to know where to look 😉

From more athletic and chunky sneakers to more subtle low profile or slip-on sneakers, there is no lack of cute sneakers to wear with dresses!

What are your favorite sneakers to wear with dresses? I love a sleek low-profile, like my Golden Goose sneakers or a chunkier sporty pair! 

xo ShoeTease

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