A dress is the cornerstone of most summer wardrobes. On days when you want to get ready in a hurry, it’s the ultimate ready-made outfit that requires very little styling – the only thing you really need to consider is what shoes to pair with your chosen sundress.
Midi-dresses and chunky sandals have been a winning combination for several summers, but if you want to experiment with some new silhouettes this year, there are a number of fashion-forward shapes that are just as effortless. It is undoubtedly the summer of the flip-flop – embrace a ’90s mood by pairing a slinky dress with an in-built scarf with a pair of heeled thong sandals.
For those after something a little more statement making, perhaps the Noughties is more your decade. Chloé’s creative director Chemena Kamali is spearheading the return of the cork wedge and clog sandals, bringing some added glamour to printed dresses that are sweeping new-in sections this summer.
When it comes to leading dress silhouettes, this summer it’s all about a white nightie with lace and broderie anglaise detailing, as championed in Miu Miu’s spring/summer 2025 collection. While these cotton dresses will pair with almost any summer shoe, we love the bookish charm a pair of well-worn leather loafers brings to this dainty look, as seen at Miu Miu. The sneakerina – a trainer, ballet pump hybrid – is also trending this summer, and while it is often worn with sporty shorts or barre-ready leggings, it pairs beautifully with bubble-hem mini and midis, which are 2025’s answer to the personality dress.
Keep reading for more ideas of new dress and shoe pairings to try this summer.
