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.
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