The 10 Best Shoes To Wear With Long Maxi Dresses

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Warm summer months have arrived, and thus begins the season of wearing flowy dresses! If you’re having a hard time styling long dresses, take a look at our top tips on what shoes to wear with maxi dresses for the chic outfits!

Maxi dresses are a wardrobe staple. They’re comfortable, stylish, and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. There are tons of maxi dress styles, ranging from dresses that can be worn to formal occasions, dresses that can be worn casually, and of course, the flowy kind that can be worn as beach attire.

While there are technically maxi dresses for every season, usually, when you think about these beautiful pieces, summer and springtime instantly come to mind. Usually, maxi dresses are made with light and airy fabrics that are perfect for warm weather, and they often have a delicate aura that is enhanced by sunshine.

Maxi dresses are flattering on most body shapes, which makes them a good choice if you’re looking for easy outfits that don’t require much effort to put together.

Speaking of which, maxi dresses are essentially an outfit in themselves, and all you need to do is to think about matching your shoes and bag to your dress, and perhaps what you’ll wear on over them if it gets chilly. So, nailing the right pair of shoes to wear with your maxi dress is even more important.

To help you out, we rounded up the best types of shoes to style with your maxi dress, no matter what occasion or season you’re looking to dress up for.

What Shoes To Wear With Maxi Dresses

1. Flat Sandals

For a summer day, you can never go wrong with simple sandals. Flat sandals are one of the best shoe styles to wear when hot weather strikes and you want to let your feet breathe and feel fresh.

Not only are they a chic way to accessorize a casual outfit, but they’re also comfortable enough to wear for a full day of walking, making them the perfect companion for a flowy maxi dress on your European travels and resort holidays.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a dressier pair of sandals with a bolder look, may we suggest going for lace-up or gladiator sandals? They create a fashion-forward look, especially when paired with a maxi dress with a high slit!

FLAT SANDALS WE LOVE
Valentino Garavani White Multicolor Rockstud PVC Thong Sandal
Valentino Garavani

Multi Rockstud PVC Flip Flops

At Neiman Marcus

Chloe Brown Leather Sandals
Chloé

Rebecca Leather Sandals 

At Net-A-Porter

Frances Valentine Sandy Cloud Bow Slide Sandals
Frances Valentine

Sandy Cloud Bow Slide Sandals

At Neiman Marcus

2. Espadrilles


Espadrilles are another shoe style that is perfect for summertime, especially if you’re primary concern is comfort. They come in both flat and wedge styles, so you can choose what works best for your specific maxi dress style.

Espadrilles were originally designed in the Mediterranean region, and they’re typically made from canvas or linen fabric with jute soles. Thanks to this, they’re generally much more breathable than other closed-toe flats that you may have.

For a casual day, we recommend going for a floral print or white maxi dress with this casual footwear style, and styling your look with a raffia tote or beach bag to tie your look together.

ESPADRILLES WE LOVE
Kate Spade Striped Starfish Espadrilles
Kate Spade

Starfish Stripe Espadrilles

At Neiman Marcus

Miu Miu Denim Logo Espadrilles
Miu Miu

Logo Espadrilles

At Nordstrom

Tory Burch Yellow Jacquard Espadrilles
Tory Burch

Double T Jacquard Espadrilles

At Neiman Marcus

3. Wedges

Wedges are a great way to add height to your look while still staying comfortable. This shoe style has a solid heel, so they’re far more comfortable than regular stiletto heels.

Wedges also come in various colors and straps, so you can find the perfect pair to match your maxi dress.

WEDGES WE LOVE
Castaner Chiara Canvas Wedge Espadrilles
Castañer

Chiara Canvas Wedge Espadrilles

At Net-A-Porter

Valentino Garavani Torchon Black Wedge Sandals
Valentino Garavani

Torchon Espadrille Wedge Sandals

At Nordstrom

Sophia Webster Riva Butterfly Wedge Espadrilles
Sophia Webster

Riva Butterfly Wedge Espadrilles 

At Neiman Marcus

4. Stiletto Heels


Stiletto heels are the perfect addition to any special occasion outfit, especially if you’re looking to dress to impress. They add height and sophistication, which make them the perfect shoe to wear to weddings, for example.

However, as you probably know, high heels are not necessarily the most comfortable shoes ever invented. Consider opting for a shorter heel height, like a kitten heel, if you need to be on your feet all day.

STILETTO HEELS WE LOVE
Christian Louboutin Sandale Du Desert
Christian Louboutin

Sandale du Désert

At Nordstrom

Magda Butrym Embellished Flower StrappySandals
Magda Butrym

Embellished Lace-up Strappy Sandals

At Net-A-Porter

Rene Caovilla Strauss Snake Ankle-Wrap Sandals
Rene Caovilla

Strauss Snake Ankle-Wrap Sandals

At Neiman Marcus

5. Block Heels

Cult Gaia Red Knit Fringed Maxi Dress
Get this on Cult Gaia

Similar to wedges, block heels are a great shoe to wear when you want to add a little bit of extra glam to your look, but still want to remain comfortable. They have a wider base which means they’re more stable than stiletto heels or pencil heels.

Block heels come in a variety of heights, so there’s bound to be one that works perfectly with your personal style. To finish off your summertime look, make sure to accessorize with a pair of designer sunglasses that frame your face.

BLOCK HEELS WE LOVE
Cult Gaia Beige and Gold Sybil Block Heel Sandals
Cult Gaia

Sybil Sandals

At Cult Gaia

Castaner Blue Sparkle Victoria Block Platform Sandals
Castañer

Victoria Chunky Heels

At Revolve

The Attico Devon Glittered Pink Leather Mules
The Attico

Devon Glittered Leather Mules

At Net-A-Porter

6. Ankle Boots

Ankle boots are a must-have for cold weather and the winter season in general. They can be used to add a little bit of edginess and contrast to a feminine dress style, or just as a staple styling piece to add extra warmth.

Alternatively, if you’re into a more tomboyish or no-nonsense vibe, you can also style your maxi dress with combat boots. Nowadays, fashion is all about comfort and mixing feminine pieces with contrasting details –combat boots provide exactly that!

ANKLE BOOTS WE LOVE
Aquatalia Off-White Manta Stitched Leather Ankle Boots
Aquatalia

Manta Stitched Leather Ankle Boots

At Neiman Marcus

PIFERI Silver Mirrored Merlin Sock Booties
PĪFERI

Merlin Sock Booties

At Nordstrom

Gianvito Rossi Black Vitello Glove Ankle Boots
Gianvito Rossi

Vitello Glove Ankle Boots

At Net-A-Porter

7. Sneakers


Ah, sneakers – our favorite shoe to wear on most summer days, perfect for running errands. While sneakers come in all designs and styles, in our opinion, nothing beats a classic white sneaker that’s not too bulky, Veja sneakers being a great example.

However, feel free to experiment with different sneaker colors, too! To make your look even more casual, throw in a light-wash denim jacket and a crossbody bag!

SNEAKERS WE LOVE
White Nike sneakers with pink swoosh
Nike

Blazer Low Platform Sneaker

At Nordstrom

Valentino Garavani White Untitled Rockstud Platform Sneakers
Valentino Garavani

Untitled Rockstud Platform Sneakers

At Nordstrom

Veja pink sneakers
Veja

Campo Sneaker

At Nordstrom

8. Platforms

Cult Gaia Pink Flowy Maxi Dress Styled with Platform Heels
Get this on Cult Gaia

Platform sandals are another great option for girls who love comfort. They will give you an extra boost of height while still being easy on the feet.

Platform shoes come primarily in two types: shoes that are elevated from the ground without having a raised heel, and classic heel-type platforms. If comfort is paramount to you, simply opt for platforms that have a low heel, or no added heel height at all.

PLATFORM Shoes WE LOVE
Cult Gaia Pink Aliza Platforms
Cult Gaia

Aliza Platforms

At Cult Gaia

RAYE Green Arden Platform Heels
RAYE

Arden Heels

At Revolve

Santoni Silver Pegasus Double Buckle Sandals
Santoni

Pegasus Double Buckle Sandals

At Neiman Marcus

9. Cowboy Boots


Wearing cowboy boots with a maxi dress can create a unique and fashionable look that combines Western and bohemian styles.

Opt for a maxi dress with a flowy and bohemian vibe. Look for styles with floral prints, airy fabrics like chiffon or cotton, or those featuring crochet or lace details. These types of maxi dresses complement the rugged and rustic aesthetic of cowboy boots.

Since cowboy boots have a distinct and often chunky appearance, it’s essential to balance the outfit. Opt for a maxi dress with a flowing and loose silhouette to create contrast with the structured boots. This will help maintain a harmonious overall look.

COWBOY BOOTS WE LOVE
Toral Western Multicolor Cowboy Boots
Toral

Western Boots

At Revolve

Ganni Brown Embroidered Calfskin Boots
Ganni

Embroidered Calfskin Boots

At Neiman Marcus

All Saints Dixie Metallic Gold Boots
All Saints

Dixie Metallic Boots

At Revolve

10. Ballet Flats

Opt for a maxi dress that complements the elegance of ballet flats. Look for dresses with a flowy and romantic silhouette, such as A-line or empire waist designs. Consider fabrics like chiffon, silk, or cotton blends, which add to the overall femininity of the outfit.

Pay attention to the length of the maxi dress. It should ideally graze the floor or skim your ankles without dragging excessively. Ensure that the dress fits well and flatters your body shape. A well-fitted bodice or a defined waistline can enhance the overall silhouette when paired with ballet flats.

BALLET FLATS WE LOVE
Roger Vivier White Cube Mary Jane Ballerina Flats
Roger Vivier

Cube Mary Jane Ballerina Flats

At Neiman Marcus

Loeffler Randall Beige Leonie Leather Ballet Flats
Loeffler Randall

Leonie Leather Ballet Flats

At Net-A-Porter

By Far Black Calfskin Slingback Ballerina Flats
By Far

 Cyd Calfskin Slingback Flats

At Neiman Marcus

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to finding your perfect pair of shoes to wear with maxi dresses, the options are almost endless. Whether you’re embracing the carefree spirit of summer or bracing yourself for the winter chill, there is a shoe style to complement your maxi dress and elevate your outfit.

During the summer season, casual flat shoes like a chic pair of sandals, ballet flats and sneakers prove to be an excellent choice. They exude a relaxed and effortless vibe while keeping your feet cool and comfortable.

For those seeking a more polished and sophisticated look, high heels can take your maxi dress ensemble to new heights. Whether you choose classic pumps, comfortable block heels, or striking stilettos, they add a touch of glamour and elongate your silhouette, making them ideal for formal occasions or special events.

When the temperature drops and winter arrives, ankle booties and closed-toe shoes step into the spotlight. Their versatility and ability to seamlessly transition from day to night make them a popular choice for casual dressing, as well as office wear. Opt for sleek and understated styles for a chic, modern look, or embrace the rustic charm of cowboy boots for a trendy, bohemian-inspired outfit. Either way, ankle boots provide both warmth and style to your maxi dress ensembles in colder weather.

Ultimately, the best shoes to wear with maxi dresses are those that reflect your personal style and complement the occasion. Whether you’re embracing laid-back vibes of open-toe sandals or adding a touch of sophistication with high heels, or even transitioning into the colder months with a pair of boots, the choice is yours. Experiment, have fun, and let your shoes be the perfect finishing touch to your stunning maxi dress looks all year round.

And there you have it! We hope you found this style guide about the best shoes to wear with maxi dresses helpful! If you’re still looking for more fashion inspiration, check the posts down below.

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