The good news is we don’t need to. Even Alice Cary, writing in Vogue, asks, ‘Who would opt to wear sky-high stompers when flats have become more than acceptable all-day wear?’ Who indeed. Not us, that’s for sure. That doesn’t mean that we’re throwing style out of the window; far from it. Some of these looks are well-worn classics – who doesn’t love a floaty dress with a plimsol? Others are more fashion-forward, teaming floaty frocks with more uncompromisingly chunky footwear.
Here are six ways to step out in the look. How will you wear yours?
Team A Shirt Dress With Nike Air Force
A shirt dress represents the ultimate flexi-wear: office-smart when dressed up, cool and casual and when dressed down. We love this Cos Long Cotton Shirt Dress teamed with a pair of Nike Air Force 1. You can’t go wrong with classic.
Wear A Maxi Dress With Classic Converse
A maxi dress worn with heels is a red-carpet look. Switch up the shoes and the whole vibe changes so that you can throw on a maxi to do the shopping in – not least because you’ll actually be comfortable. This sweeping Maraina London Rain Black Pleated Dip-Hem Maxi Evening Dress is a great match for a pair of black Chuck Taylor All Star Classics.
Mix A Midi Dress With Plimsols
For an easy-breezy timeless look, a casual midi dress with elegant plimsols is infallible and can look pretty smart too, if you need it to. This tiered midi from Anthropologie is a total winner teamed with simple Bensimon Laced Sneakers in arresting red.
Don A Tea Dress With Chunky Trainers
Tea dresses are one of our perennial favourites for their timelessness and sheer prettiness. And while we’ll always like them styled with a 1940s-style low heel, there’s also something fun about pairing them with a really chunky trainer to offset any danger of primness. Why not try this red Scribble Tea Dress from Jigsaw (which is now in the sale) with a Puma RS-X3 Mesh Pop Trainer, which also happens to be in the sale right now? Not a hint of twee in sight.
Pair A Strappy Dress With Platform Trainer
In fashion, the only thing guaranteed is that every look that’s ever been any kind of hit will roll around once more. And so it is with this one, which recalls the Spice Girls as they stormed stages and our television screens in vertiginous trainers and tiny strappy slip dresses. We may take our hems a little longer now and our trainers a bit more understated, but we still love this look. Try this Zara Knitted Sleeveless Dress with these Superga 2790 Multicolour Cotu for a simple look with a pop of colour.
Wear A Preppy Dress With Tennis Shoes
Not exactly a revolutionary one this, but you can’t argue with classic. This Kenzo Knit Midi Dress is a sure-fire fresh and summery hit when worn with these Camper Pelotas XLite. Strawberries and cream anyone?
By Nancy Alsop
July 2020
READ MORE
23 Flatform Sandals We Really Want
26 Ways To Ace A Preppy Summer Sports Look
37 Ways To Rock Stripes
