The Best Shoes to Wear with a Dress This Summer
Dresses are one of my favorite things to wear in the summer; they’re cool, comfy, and always make me feel put together. But figuring out the right shoes to wear with them can take a little thought. Whether it’s a maxi, midi, or casual sundress, I’m breaking down the best shoes to pair with your summer favorites, especially if comfort matters (and let’s be real, it always does).
By the way, if you’re more of a pants kind of gurl (no judgment here!), I’ve got you covered, too. Check out this post on the best shoes to wear with every pant style in 2025. It’s one of my most-read for a reason!
Best Shoes to Wear with Casual Summer Dresses
Casual summer dresses, like t-shirt dresses, swing dresses, and linen shirt dresses, are staples in my warm-weather wardrobe. They’re easy, breezy, and just plain comfortable. You can find some of my favorite ones for women over 50 here. Wondering how to style them? Here’s what shoes to wear with them:
Flat Sandals
You just can’t go wrong with a good pair of flat sandals. Look for something with a little support if you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
Neutral or metallic colors go with just about everything! Most of my sandals are nude, brown, or black! I love a classic slide sandal like this one, but a fun braided strap or buckle adds a little something-something.
Slip-On Sneakers
Yes, sneakers! I love a clean white sneaker with a simple dress. It gives off a sporty vibe that’s casual, but still pulled together. Perfect for travel days, sightseeing, or just keeping up with grandkids! You can find more great white tennis shoes to try in this post!
Espadrilles
If you want something a little dressier, espadrille flats or wedges are a great choice. They add a coastal touch and pair beautifully with cotton sundresses, shirt dresses, or anything with a little swing.
What Shoes to Wear with a Maxi Dress in Summer
How To Wear Maxi Dresses For Summer
Y’all know I love a good maxi dress in the summer. It feels elegant but comfy, and you don’t have to worry about your legs getting sunburned! But the wrong shoes can make a maxi feel frumpy or fussy.
Wedge Sandals
If your dress is on the longer side, a wedge sandal helps lift the hem just enough and gives your legs a longer look. I own this pair and they are SOOO cute! I even wear them with shorts and jeans! If you’re looking for comfort, shop for a pair like this with a little platform under the toe.
Strappy Flat Sandals
For a casual day, flat strappy sandals are my go-to. Look for styles that show a little skin (like minimal straps or thong styles) so the dress doesn’t feel weighed down.
Toe-Loop or Slide Sandals
These sandals are stylish and effortless, perfect for vacation dinners or patio lunches. They give you that “I tried but didn’t try too hard” vibe.
Shoes That Look Great with Midi Dresses
Midi dresses are having a moment, but they can be tricky depending on where they hit your leg. The right shoes help elongate your legs and balance the look.
Block-Heel Sandals
If I need a little height but don’t want to teeter around, I go for a block-heel sandal. They’re great with flowy or more tailored midi styles, and you can wear them all day without needing a foot massage later.
Slide Sandals or Mules
Slide sandals with a bit of a sole or a small wedge are perfect for midi dresses. I especially love ones with raffia or leather textures, they feel seasonal and elevated.
Pointed-Toe Flats
A pointed-toe flat gives you polish without a heel, and the pointed toe helps extend the line of your leg. Great for when you’re heading somewhere just a little dressy but still want to keep things grounded (pun intended).
What Shoes to Wear with a Sundress
Sundresses are the ultimate summer uniform. They’re light, feminine, and make getting dressed easy. Here are my top picks for what shoes to wear with them:
Birkenstocks or Comfort Slides
If I’m headed to the farmer’s market or walking around downtown, I grab my comfy slides or Birkenstocks. Don’t knock ’em, they’ve come a long way, and they go perfectly with tiered cotton sundresses and flowy gauze fabrics. You can even find quality lookalikes for a super affordable price!
Raffia or Woven Sandals
These Sandals scream summer and pair beautifully with everything from florals to eyelet. Plus, the natural textures look especially good with straw bags and sun hats.
Low Heeled Mules
Need something you can slide into and go? Low-heeled mules dress up a sundress just enough for a summer date night or casual backyard party.
Shoes to Wear with a Summer Dress to a Wedding or Special Event
If you’ve got a summer wedding, baby shower, or garden party on your calendar, you might need something a little dressier. But gurl, we’re not wearing six-inch heels anymore. We want cute and comfortable, yes, it’s possible!
P.S. Need summer wedding dress ideas? Check out: What to Wear to a Summer Wedding for Women Over 50 and Simple, Elegant Dresses for Wedding Guests Over 50
Kitten Heel Sandals
These kitten heel sandals give you just enough elevation without the wobble. Look for a slingback or ankle strap to keep them secure if you’ll be walking on grass.
Dressy Sandals
You can still feel dressed up in a dressy flat sandal. Try a metallic, embellished, or pointed-toe option for something that feels polished and party-ready.
Wedges (Again!)
Wedge Sandals work just as well for special events as they do for casual days. A nice neutral wedge with a more structured dress is an easy win.
What are your favorite shoes to wear with dresses?
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4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
😊
I love the lime green maxi dress. Such a polished look.
I bought your cork sandals from Talbots!
Those kitten heals are so cute!
Found it
I have 2 pairs of cushionaire footbed sandals-looking for my 3rd pair. They are just as cute and comfy as the other brand and affordable.
😀. Like the kitten heels, easier for me to walk in!
😊😊Love the Sam Elderman slide!
😊Love the 9West shoes!
🙂 Very helpful!
😊Lots of cute shoes.
🙂 I have high arches and enjoy wearing Vionic shoes. Thanks for providing so many options!
Found it! Love all the dresses!
😊 I love shoes!
🙂 cushionaire sandals look comfortable!
They are comfy. Just as cute as the other brand, but a lot less expensive. I’ve got 2 pairs now of cushionaire sandals-looking for my 3rd pair.
🙂 Love the summer shoe options, thanks!
Found it 🙂 The fuschia dress from Kohl’s!!!!! Too bad, sold out. Gorgeous!!
😊. I love wedge sandals as long it’s not to high. They seem to provide more stability! As always you have shown us some winners.
🙂 Found it! I just love the kitten heels!!
🙂 I definitely like sandals with summer dresses.
I love the sandals with pearls. ☺️
🙂 Found it
Short legged me loves the platforms. Nice choices! Btw, you look absolutely gorgeous in your pillow picture.
Thanks, Lynda
😊 I like the wedges.
🙂 Such pretty options!
Yes your eyes do pop in the blue top while showing the pillow. Found It 😊
🙂. Very nice shoes!
🙂 love wearing all types of sandals
🙂
Lovely choices
🙂 Love the casual vibe!
🙂 Love all the shoes and the v necked blue midi dress classic
😊 I like the strappy flat sandal and the VJH sandal. Thanks for the tips. You look good in everything!!
😊 Really like the v neck dress and there’s so many colors to choose from.
Rhonda S
😊 Such a cute selection of sandals! I love wedge sandals. Do you have a link for the light blue top shown with the pillows?
It is an old one from J.Crew.
I agree with some others about your eyes in the first picture. Blue is your color!! Thanks for these great shoe choices. I love an espadrille and wedges.
🙂 Good choices.
🙂 found it
I love shoes – they don’t always love me as I have a weird foot. But these all look very comfortable.
I like the wedges or small heels the best. I am not a fan of flat shoes with a dress.
Cute dresses too! Found it 🙂
☺️ I really like espadrilles with summer dresses! You’ve shown some great choices! Thanks!
Found it!
And I agree with Barbara your eyes pop with the blue shirt
I also just purchased those pillows – I had just mentioned we needed to replace ours and there you were 🙂
Thank you
I hope you end up liking them!
🙂
Pretty shoes!
Your eyes “pop” in the blue shirt when you are showing the pillow.
Found it.
Great choices! :}
😊 Really cute summer shoe options!
I bought a Coop pillow a couple of months ago. Couldn’t sleep one night, so I did some middle of the night shopping. What a happy accident. I love, love, love my Coop!
☺️I love the denim dress. noticed you wore a size 2. I thought, wow! Tania what is your diet secret? Looked up the link and saw it’s a Chico’s dress! Chico’s sizing is so different!
Lol!!! I actually sized up in that dress since I usually wear a size 1 in Chico’s dresses.
🙂 Such cute sandal choices! I like sandals with summer dresses, sometimes I like nude sandals to make my legs look longer and I also have a couple pairs that have a little sparkle on them that adds a fun touch.
The wedges and platforms are my favs! 😊
😊The v neck midi dress is so cute! Can I ask you to make some of your newsletters as a video, please? I’d love to hear your voice😊
Unfortunately, the email platform doesn’t support video. But, I do a lot of videos on my Instagram and LTK Shop.
🙂 Good selection!
😃cute dresses!
😀 Great shoe choices! My weakness! Love the Sam Edelman Bambi raffia ones!
Soooo many cute shoes!!😁
Lots of cute choices. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into each post. 😊
🙂 Very nice dresses. I love the green with the white blazer.
Found it. Been off the grid for a while. Fell last week and injured myself. Lucky no broken bones. Love your post always.
Oh, my! I’m glad you didn’t break anything. I hope you feel better soon.
😀these are some really cute options.
I love coop pillows. They are on all of my beds
🙂 Great selection for summer.
🙂
Love all the choices from wedges to flats!
🙂 found it . It is a fun game to play each day with my morning coffee.
You have found several good shoe options. I do like Vionic for the arch support. Thank you
I love dresses and sandals for summer too
I know it’s an interesting blog post when I have to start over from the beginning to look for the “game piece”! 🙂
I think I’m a “shoe girl” like my Mom was.
🙂 Some good sandle options.
found it!
you always look so put together nicely! I like sandals that have a strap around the heel or I tend to walk right out of them lol.
😀 A nice selection of summer sandals. I prefer the low heal or flats.
Not much of a dress person but I’m working on it!
Found it.
🙂 I like comfortable, yet stylish shoes, period. I may have to try the Vionic wedge sandles.
I love wearing dresses too. Thanks for all the tips on just the right shoes!
😀 I love the shoes! However, Idk about anyone else but I don’t wear the tiered dresses. I like the maxi length but not the volume of them.
Found it!
Love the black dress!! And the green midi!
🙂 The espadrilles really caught my eye.
Found it 😀
Love all the cute shoe ideas!
🙂 found it. I’ve been looking for a cute gold sandal for the summer but I’ve had no luck yet.
I’m really digging the sandals – I’d also suggest some fisherman mules – super cute with both short and midi dresses.
I found the smiley face and love the Ornament Thong Sandals in the picture also!
🙂 Love all the sandals.
😊 I like all you choices but flats are my only choice.
🙂Love the vionic wedge.
Great post! I live in dresses in the summer…Happy Monday❤❤❤
😊 I love Vionic shoes. I love a slight heel too.
Found it. 🙂 The hot pink dress is great. Looking best on you!
😀 the pink dress looks great on you.
😊 Some beautiful picks for sure! Thanks!
😊 These are all great shoe options!
Hi Tania
I see a lot of gold/bronze sandals but can’t seem to find any with silver…any suggestions ? Enjoy your blog. Thanks
I know that Talbots usually has silver sandals.
😊 Some really cute styles for summer
🙂 Thank you for shoe ideas to wear with the dresses. I have the denim dress, the green maxi and the black knee length dress, now I have your suggestions of shoes to go with the dresses. Have a blessed week!
🙂 Keeping those espadrilles and white sneakers clean can be daunting!
☺️ Love the Vionic sandal but every time I’ve tried them on the kill my arch which is pretty high, do you know of a different brand for that cute sandal?
I also love NAOT and find them very comfortable.
I love to wear white sneakers with my dresses. I bought my first pair of leather sneakers this summer to wear with my dresses i was getting tired of the cloth ones getting dirty
Great shoe options. Thx!
Every time I see you in the green/white boho maxi, I love it more. Sure hope you kept that one. 😊
: ) Love the sandals.
😊 Shoes are my weakness!
😀 A wedge heel is a favorite for me! Helpful blog!
😊Love the pearl embellished sandals
Depends on the dress and the setting. Office appropriate – pumps, dress flats, or dress sandals (with or without a heel). Casual – flip flops, 100%! One shoe I never wear with dresses – sneakers. I just don’t like how that combination looks on me. 🙂
🙂 I feel somewhat limited in styles because I need comfort more than ever in a shoe. Thanks for the many options and how to wear them with different length dresses.
🙂 SHOES! Always love posts about shoes!
😀 since I cannot wear heals anymore, it’s nice to see cute flats with dresses. I appreciate that you didn’t feature high heals as the only option.
Found it, thanks for the great post. Love the green dress with the blazier
These are great suggestions! Sadly, only the Vionics come in a wide width which is what I need.
Shoes are tough, in older age, with bunions. I simply cannot bear to have weight on my toes for long periods. Great options here!
Found it :). Love all the sandals! If I’m not wearing them, then I’m usually going barefoot!
😊 great options. Love the raffia sandals. Target has had cute, affordable sandals this season.
:). Found it! Lots of cute sandals!
😊I like the VJH Comfort flat sandal.
😀didn’t find it, love a lot of the comfort shoes
😊Oh how I wish I could wear the cute slide sandals but my narrow, Cinderella foot just can’t keep them on! My sandals have straps to secure them and I do tend to wear wedge style as they give me a little more height!
😊I like all of the shoes.
😀I love a sparkly flat sandal.
😄
I love all of the shoes that you shared, especially the pearl accented heels at JCrew.
I’ve worn those a lot! I like how they can be dressed up or down.
😊
Great wedges choices!
😊Some cute sandals in this post!
😊 great post! Thanks for showing us all of those cute sandals!