No Doubt—These Are the 8 Best Classic Shoe Styles to Wear With Dresses

If there's one thing we know, it's that Who What Wear readers are obsessed with two things: dresses and shoes. These two subjects always dominate our social feeds, and now that we find ourselves on the cusp of bare-leg season (yes, really!) they're proving to be all the more practical.

While we're quick to cover the latest trends across both wardrobe items, we thought we'd go back to basics and have a look at the shoes that always work with dresses. As such, we can conclude that there are eight key footwear styles that seem to suit dresses more than other shoe types.

Chances are you'll already own some (if not all) of the shoes on our list, but that's the beauty of taking a step back from the noise of the trends and instead focusing on timeless buys. Keep scrolling to see the shoes to wear with dresses this season and beyond.

1. BLOCK HEELS

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(Image credit: @sylviemus)

Style Notes: Sylvie's chic block-heel shoes will bestow any dress with easy French flair. This Gallic girl favours wearing them with minimalist midi dresses. Simple, yet so effective.

Shop Block Heels:

2. TRAINERS

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(Image credit: @francescasaffari)

Style Notes: In my opinion, trainers and dresses look their coolest when you opt for a simple dress paired with chunky running shoes or the most recent popular style, brights!

Shop Trainers:

3. TAN OR BEIGE BOOTS

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(Image credit: @claudia_berresford)

Style Notes: While black boots also look excellent with dresses (especially in winter), tan and nude boots serve as a welcome change in spring. Their softer hue makes them less harsh when worn with pastel or white dresses.

Shop Tan Boots:

4. SLINGBACKS

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Style Notes: Slingbacks are an eternally chic option that fashion people have been reaching for more frequently in recent months. The refined shape and classic silhouette instantly elevates even the simplest dresses.

Shop Slingbacks:

5. MARY JANES

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(Image credit: @_jeanettemadsen_)

Style Notes: When it comes to which shoes to wear with dresses, Mary Janes are a popular choice. The heeled styles gives you a vintage feel but flat versions are having such a moment right now.

Shop Mary-Janes:

6. TRACK-SOLE BOOTS

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(Image credit: @oumaymaboumeshouli )

Style Notes: Chunky track-sole boots defined our winter wardrobes, but don't pack them away just yet. With British weather consistently unpredictable you'll appreciate this pair year round. Right now, Instagram's most stylish people are donning chunky iterations with just about every dress you can think of.

Shop Track-Sole Boots:

7. FINE-STRAP HEELS

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(Image credit: @styleidealist)

Style Notes: Having been the shoes a couple of seasons ago, fine-strap sandals are set to make a strong comeback this year. As they're the perfect antidote to statement outfits, it's little wonder influencers keep wearing them with punchy print midi dresses to make sure all eyes are on the dress.

Shop Strappy Heels:

8. Loafers 

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(Image credit: @emmanuellek_)

Style Notes: Adding a preppy feel to any dress style, you can always count of a pair of sleek loafers to compliment a great dress. Emmanuelle goes one step further and adds cool-girl white socks

Shop Loafers:

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.