I never thought I could wear maxi dresses because I am on the shorter side at 5’4″ and was worried they would be too long or too overwhelming for my height. Fast forward to now and my closet is full of maxi dresses and I absolutely LOVE how they look. I wear them all four seasons out of the year but especially in the spring and summer they are a go-to easy outfit to put together. They are more versatile than I thought and I love styling them with different shoe styles depending on the time of the year. From flats to heels to boots, pairing maxi dresses with different shoes can get the outfit a completely different vibe each time. I’ve ever worn the same dress with both boots and sandals so the versatility of maxi dresses is truly endless. If you need some suggestions, I’m going to share a roundup of 10+ shoes to wear with your maxi dresses.

11 Shoes to Wear with a Maxi Dress

Styling maxi dresses may seem difficult when it comes to deciding what shoes to wear depending on the season, but I personally find that nearly every style of shoe looks great with a maxi dress. It depends on where you are wearing the dress, the weather and your personal style preferences but my best recommendation is to always choose something simple and classic as your first choice. You can never go wrong with a simple strappy sandal in neutral tones for the summer and a classic pointy toe boot for the fall. Sneakers are hard to style with a maxi dress and tend to look better with a short mini dress (these are the best white sneakers to wear with dresses). I’ll share examples of how I have styled maxi dresses and also a roundup of 11 different shoes that would look great with a maxi dress.

What is Maxi Dress Style?

When styling a maxi dress, it is important to take proportion into consideration when choosing your shoes. If the dress is very voluminous, a more delicate and dainty shoe would look best. If the dress is a bit more fitted or column-like in it’s shape, a shoe that covers more or is slightly heavier in appearance could definitely work. I prefer to have my maxi dresses come right to my ankle or slightly above to show off the shoe. Anything too long is not only hard to wear but also hard to style because you don’t want the dress to cover the shoes too much.

What Shoes Go With Maxi Dresses

What Shoes to Wear With a Maxi Dress in Summer

A simple pair of flat sandals even very casual ones like the jelly sandals I am wearing are a great option for the summer. If you are deciding on a pair of flat sandals, try to choose something a bit more elevated in terms of style and appearance. A beach flip flop or pool slides are not a great option even with casual maxi dresses.

Outfit details: Dress | Sweater | Belt | Bag (similar) | Shoes | Sunglasses | Necklace (code: MAREE25)

I LOVE the look of strappy heels with a maxi dress. A short kitten heel strappy sandal is always my first pick when styling a maxi dress. The daintiness of the straps always pairs well with the length and volume of a maxi dress. The juxtaposition is perfect!

Outfit details: Dress | Cardigan (similar) | Shoes | Bag | Sunglasses

When you don’t know what to wear, go clear. That is seriously my motto in terms of shoes in the summer. I LOVE a clear pair of sandals and they look amazing with just about any outfit but especially a maxi dress. Choose block heels or kitten heels for daytime and a higher heel for evening.

Outfit details: Dress | Bag | Belt | Shoes (similar) | Sunglasses

Here’s an example of a clear shoe with a higher heel perfect for a maxi dress that you plan to wear to a formal event. And if you struggle with wearing maxi dresses because you feel they overwhelm your frame and body, a clear shoe doesn’t cut off the foot and instead shows more of the foot which helps to create balance with a longer dress. If I were to wear a solid color shoe or something that covered most of my foot, it would be too heavy for a dress like this and actually make the dress look too long for me.

Outfit details: White Dress (similar) | Bag (similar) | Sandals | Sunglasses

What Shoes to Wear With a Maxi Dress in Fall

When it comes to wearing a maxi dress during the fall, I will almost always recommend a slim fitting knee high boot with a pointy toe. If you do want to wear an ankle boot, make sure the maxi dress is longer than the top of the boot and doesn’t show any gap. There should be a long line from the dress to the boot – a boot that is shorter than the bottom of the dress will throw off the proportions and not look as flattering. Because boots are bulkier, a slim fitting boot rather than something too chunky looks best with a maxi dress.

Outfit details: Dress (similar) | Sweater | Belt | Boots | Sunglasses | Bag

If the dress shows any skin like a small slit on the side like this one, it’s still best to choose a knee high boot because it continues the line of the dress in a seamless way. Ankle boots would cut off the leg in a weird spot and look out of proportion with a maxi dress.

Outfit details: Dress (similar) | Boots (similar) | Bag | Sunglasses

More Shoes To Wear With Maxi Dresses

Schutz Ellen Up Pointed Toe Boots

In the colder months, this is the best type of boot to wear with a maxi dress. A simple and sleek knee high boot with a pointed toe creates a long line that flows with the maxi dress.

Matisse Natural Lyla Heels

A chunkier platform style sandal is a trendier option but still a great shoe to wear with maxi dresses. And these shoes add a bit of height which works well with a maxi dress.

Anthropologie Microwedge Thong Sandals

Flat sandals are always a chic option for daytime. Because maxi dresses are inherently dressier than denim or athleisure, it’s best to choose an elevated style like this. And the metallic gold is a perfect neutral to wear with any color or print.

Ancient Greek Sandals Eleftheria Flat Sandals

Another gorgeous pair of flat sandals that would look great with a maxi dress. Even more casual than the ones prior but still not too dressed down. Either would be great choices to pair with a maxi dress.

Boden Kylie Flat Buckle Mary-Janes

If it’s too cold to wear something open toe but not yet cold enough to wear boots, a mary jane style flat is perfect.

Larroude Vivi Lucite Mules

I own these and swear by them. They are comfortable, so stylish and look perfect with a maxi dress.

Schutz Naomi Sporty Flatform Sandals

This is the probably the trendiest option out of the entire group but still a great choice for those who want a sandal with a bit of height. When styling these with a maxi dress, be sure the maxi dress stops a bit above the ankle. If it’s a super long dress that goes almost to the floor, it will look too heavy and not well balanced with a chunkier style sandal. Also consider a lighter weight fabric like a linen maxi dress to wear with a heavier style sandal.

Tony Bianco Caprice Sandals

Another pair of sandals that I own and recommend with long skirts and maxi dresses. They are delicate and dainty and help balance out a fuller skirt.

Freda Salvador Square Toe Ballet Flats

A ballet flat will look great with just about any outfit and these are a great choice for the office if you can’t wear open toe sandals.

Amazon Suede Mules

If you are wearing a maxi dress to the office, this is the perfect shoe option!

Soludos Platform Espadrilles (discount code: MAREE20)

Platform espadrilles wedges are a summer shoe classic and are the perfect complement to any maxi dress outfit.

Sunscreen is a non-negotiable for me and something that I apply every single day regardless of the weather. It’s now part of my daily skincare routine and has been for years. Sunscreen isn’t just important for protecting against a sunburn or sun damage, there are a ton of harmful effects caused by the sun regardless of your skin color or skin tone. A few of the most common issues caused from sun exposure are an increase in fine lines, loss of firmness or elasticity to the skin, age spots, skin cancer and pigment changes to the skin. While many people’s reasoning for not wearing sunscreen years ago was the feel of it on the skin was uncomfortable and/or irritating, formulations have improved greatly and sunscreens feel just like a normal moisturizer or serum these days.

I’m already a huge fan of OneSkin products and regularly use their peptide products in my skincare and body care routine so it was an easy transition to add in their sun care products too. I already did a full review on their daily skincare essentials and am going to dedicate today’s post to reviewing their facial sunscreen and body sunscreen. I’ll share details on the formula, how I use it and whether I think they are worth trying. Also, I have an ongoing discount code with OneSkin (MAREE15) that gives you 15% off!

What Is OneSkin Sunscreen

OneSkin was founded by four female scientists who have their PhDs in stem cell biology, skin regeneration and immunology. Their goal was to create a product line that enhances how skin functions so that it stays healthier and more resilient as we age. They targeted cellular senescence (one of the main drivers behind skin aging) and created the OS-01 peptide. This peptide switches off these senescent cells (often called “zombie cells”) which contribute to fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. Additionally they noticed that this peptide reduced the biological age of the skin. The result of their years of research is the OneSkin skincare line which utilizes this scientifically-studied peptide OS-01. For more information on what peptides do, be sure to read this blog post.

The patented OS-01 peptide works by preventing the accumulating of these senescent cells which are one of the root causes of aging in the skin. Based on their research, the OS-01 peptide can penetrate deeper levels of the skin leading to an increase in epidermal thickness. It also helps to increase collagen and hyaluronic acid production which will help the skin to look and feel healthier, firmer and more youthful. The actual ins and outs of their rigorous testing and scientific data is all on their website which is a wealth of information! I’m sharing just the top line points of how the OS-01 peptide works on the skin but there is so much more to it which you can read about.

OneSkin Sunscreen Lineup

The OneSkin sunscreen range consists of the OS-01 Face SPF 30+ (tinted and untinted) and the Triple Power OS-01 Body SPF 30+. Both formulations contain the brands OS-01 peptide which fights against traditional signs of aging as well as helping to block the cells that cause aging in the skin. Both are formulated with non-nano zinc oxide and antioxidants to help protect the skin from UV-induced aging and free radical damage.

The OneSkin OS-01 Face SPF 30+ is a lightweight, hydrating formula that feels nearly undetectable on the skin. It absorbs instantly and wears beautifully under makeup. There is an untinted version as well as three tinted versions but both feel the same on the skin. The face SPF leaves a naturally radiant finish without being too dewy or shiny. If you do prefer something that is much more glowy, here’s my post on the best glowy susncreens. It’s great for all skin types and gentle enough for sensitive skin.

The OneSkin Triple Power OS-01 Body SPF 30+ is an absolute must have for me. I hate the way most body sunscreens feel especially if I am wearing them day to day and not at a pool or beach. This one is so moisturizing and feels like I am applying a lightweight body lotion that absorbs almost instantly. It isn’t shiny or greasy but does leave my skin with a subtle healthy glow.

The newest addition to the OneSkin SPF lineup is the the OS-01 Lip SPF Broad Spectrum SPF 15+. It’s a nourishing and hydrating protective formula that also contains the proprietary OS-01 peptide. It’s instantly nourishing with a thicker consistency that really adheres to the lips. While it is rich in texture, it is not sticky at all. The formula provides 100% mineral broad-spectrum protection while also helping reduce the appearance of fine lines. This is one of the longest wearing lip balm formulas that I own and find it remains on my lips longer than nearly all my other non-tinted lip balms. There is a slight white cast when you first apply it but it’s goes away once it’s absorbed into the lips. It’s quickly become one of my favorite lip treatments to wear day to day but especially if I’m spending a lot of time in the sun!

What Are the Pros and Cons of OneSkin Sunscreen?

Pros

Safe for sensitive skin

Formulated with the potent and effective OS-01 peptide

Lightweight and fast-absorbing

Cons

The price point is high but the formulation addresses anti-aging concerns as well as sun protection which ensures you get more benefits out of the product. (You can use my code: MAREE15 to save 15% too!)

Both SPF formulations only provide 30+ protection and many people who plan to be outside all day may need a higher SPF option. I love this for day to day life.

Is the OneSkin OS-01 Sunscreen Worth It?

For those looking for a sunscreen that provides effective sun protection but also targets anti-aging concerns, this is absolutely worth trying. The formula is lightweight and fast absorbing and works well for all skin types. If you want to invest in one formula over the other, opt for the OS-01 Face SPF because you can apply it to your chest and hands which are often the places that get the most sun exposure. But for an adequate application for shoulders, arms, etc, you would need the OS-01 Triple Power OS-01 Body SPF because you would run out quickly using only the face for all these areas. If you have fair skin, the tinted face version may be a bit too dark but for those with medium, dark and deep dark skin tones it would be perfection!

Where To Buy OneSkin Sunscreen?

• OneSkin website (use code: MAREE15 for 15% off)