Just for Fun, I Put Together 8 Dress-and-Shoe Combos That Are Spot-On for Spring

Here in New York, we hit the 80ºF mark recently, and while I sweat my way through the jeans I mistakenly wore on my walk to the grocery store that day, it got me thinking about how I needed a serious reboot in my spring wardrobe stat. These dramatic high-temperature days and lows at night call for some easy dresses that can be layered effortlessly with cardigans, trench coats, and more. And I couldn’t help but imagine all the cute ways to wear them with the season’s trending shoes. So I took to Instagram for a little extra inspiration and came up with eight easy dress-and-shoe combinations that anyone can pull off. Seriously—these outfit ideas are that easy.

The dress shapes I found just happen to be extremely comfortable, too. You’ll find plenty of slinky, column dresses and body-con knit shapes that can be paired with everything from ballet flats to strappy kitten heels and a few fit-and-flare styles that were made to be worn with cool flat sandals and sporty sneakers. Although these dress and shoe styles are all seeing a rise in fashion, they are pretty much classics that you won’t ever regret purchasing. Go ahead—get inspired with some of my favorites below.

Ribbed Knit Dress + Strappy Kitten Heels

As you transition your wardrobe into the warmer months, a rib-knit dress in white feels weather appropriate yet still provides a bit of coverage when the temperatures dip at night. Pair with black strappy kitten heels for an effortlessly simple and stylish look that you can wear to the office, dinner with friends, and more.

Sleek Column Dress + Mary Janes

Go gallery chic with a long, black column dress that screams fashion-forward. When paired with black Mary Jane flats, it’s a match made in heaven. Add equally cool accessories such as a single bangle bracelet and an optic-white handbag for a little contrast, and you’re good to go.

Red Stretch Dress + Leopard Pumps

It’s no secret that we are obsessed with red these days. Right now, we are lusting after this slightly darker cranberry shade in formfitting dress silhouettes. We love the idea of these frocks paired with a little leopard print for a nod to the ’90s that somehow doesn’t feel too retro.

Polka-Dot Slip + Retro Sneakers

If you are preparing for a Euro trip anytime soon (or any city destination for that matter), this pairing will keep you moving through 15K steps per day, long museum lines, and many espresso stops. Break up the dainty polk-dot pattern with retro-inspired sneakers, and don’t forget the scrunched cotton socks!

Smocked, Puff-Sleeve Dress + Pointed-Toe Mules

If you still are yearning to keep those cottagecore vibes going (let’s face it, a breezy dress is always on-trend), try pairing your smocked dresses with point-toe mule heels for a fresh styling idea. It’s equal parts romantic, polished, and fabulous.

Corset-Seamed Dress + Thick-Strap Sandals

Seamed dresses are a great way to incorporate a little more detail into an otherwise simple silhouette. We love how fresh it looks with a contrasting black sandal. Just make sure yours has a thick strap to add a little bit of an organic feel. A cute pendant necklace and tonal shades don’t hurt, either.

Drape-Front Dress + Strapped, Buckle Shoes

There is nothing more straightforward than a draped dress. It will be your one-and-done wardrobe go-to that feels a little more special than a plain tank dress. For an unexpected accessory pairing, wear them with those Y2K-inspired buckled shoes you’ve been seeing everywhere. It’s a completely new way of styling them that just works.

Mixed-Media Midi Dress + Square-Toe Flats

The mixed-media dress is having a moment, and we are here for it. Essentially meaning made with two different fabrics, these often have a soft, modal tank on top and a stiffer material on bottom, such as linen or poplin. Style with square-toe flats now and lace-up sandals later.