It's something we all do a couple of times a week but have you ever stopped to think about the best trainers to wear with dresses. Well, think about it now! Sneakers are taking over as the shoes for all occasions, no longer reserved for casual or gym outfits trainers are often the shoe of choice for office-wear and going out-out. Fashion search index, LYST even reported 3 of their top 10 hottest products for 2024 were, you guessed it, trainers.
Best Trainers To Wear With Dresses At A Glance:
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Adidas SL 72 RS Leather And Suede Trimmed Mesh Sneakers, £80
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Asics Gel-Kayano 14 Rubber-Trimmed Mesh And Suede Sneakers, £155
And so, with people opting for trainers 24/7, it's no wonder dresses and sneakers have become a go-to outfit combo. If you've heard of stylist Allison Bornstein, you might be familiar with a little something she calls 'the wrong shoe' theory. In her words, if your look feels 'boring' or 'one note', you want to choose the least obvious shoe to provide a point of difference thus resulting in the dress and trainer duo.
Wearing trainers with dresses is a perfect example of the wrong shoe theory in action. See above on influencer Emma Fridsell, who wore gum-soled sneakers with her organza gown. The dress lent the trainers a little ladylike flair while the trainers made sure the dress clocked significantly more cool points.
Our Best Summer Dresses Top Picks:
Now for the best trainers to wear with dresses. This really depends on your personal style. If your safe place is wafty summer dresses then you might want to try a super-sporty sneaker like something from Salomon, Asics or Puma - note Emily Ratajkowski duo of ethereal white cotton summer dress and cherry red sporty sneakers. If tailoring's more your vibe, a retro sneaker like Adidas' SL 72's and Onitsuka Tiger's Mexico 66 especially yellow version, will be right up your wrong shoe street. You also can't go too far wrong with sleek white trainers (or sleek black trainers, for that matter, which, paired with ribbed black sports socks, are just the thing for added bite to a frou-frou frock).
Speaking of socks, I would always recommend wearing socks rather than going without. Ankle socks will save any tiny trainer socks making an unwanted appearance or, if you really don't love an anle sock, opt for an invisible pop sock to keep your sneakers fresh.
Shop: The Best Trainers To Wear With Dresses 2024
www.salomon.com
The gold standard of tech trainers that truly go the distance off-trail and on is Salomon, the brand who counts Bella Hadid, Blackpink's Lisa and Hailey Bieber, who owns several pairs, in its fan club the perfect sporty style to wear with cotton midi dresses.
www.net-a-porter.com
Named as one of LYST's hottest products for 2024, the Adidas SL 72 sneakers are fashion's new trainer of choice- taking over from Adidas Sambas. Choose from plenty of colourways to find your favourite.
www.asics.com
Notice the curves of Asics' Gel-Kayano Sneakers? They're specially designed to fit the contours of your feet and provide maximum support. The Y2K aesthetic means that they'll definitely earn you likes on TikTok.
uk.puma.com
Take note from EmRata and add some edge to a simple white summer dress finishing off your look with Puma's cherry red suede sneakers - also available in a chic black colourway.
www.nike.com
One of the comfiest pairs of trainers you can wear, the Nike Cortez sneakers are the ideal choice for a day running errands, wear yours with slip dresses or maxis for an easy outfit you can wear all day long.
www.schuh.co.uk
As worn recently by Gigi Hadid, the old-school checkerboard Vans are a style that have stood the test of time - a pair you'll wear on repeat. Wear with everything from mini dresses to print maxis for a stylish print clash moment.
www.converse.com
Smart enough for the office, an all black trainer will go with everything in your wardrobe from maxi dresses to minis.
www.onitsukatiger.com
Whilst many opted for Adidas Sambas, Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 trainers emerged as the cult favourite for fashion folk far and wide. When winter rolls round, pair yours with a cosy knitted dress for an easy autumnal look.
www.schuh.co.uk
The suede fabric makes the bright tones a little softer for daytime outfits, wear with all black or a floaty white dress to bring a pop of colour.
www.anthropologie.com
A simple pair of black and white trainers are perfect to wear with bright dresses, shop the Gola x Anthropologie pair with ribbon laces for added Coquette aesthetic.
www.arket.com
These New Balance trainers can be worn with everything from slinky slip dresses to barely-there minis to add a bit of sporty edge to your outfit.
www.schuh.co.uk
Opt for a gum-sole to upgrade from all white trainers, look to VEJA for classic styles that will be in your wardrobe forever, wear with milk-maid dresses or wafty maxis for an easy going outfit.
Julia Harvey has been the shopping editor for Grazia for the three years, overseeing and editing all things shopping for the title from trend pages, gift guides and the best things to buy now in both print and online.