How to wear flat shoes with dresses: 5 chic outfits to copy

Despite what Sex and the City had us believe, you don’t need to wear heels to look smart and stylish, and we have the proof. Here are five dresses and flat shoes outfit combinations from fashion’s chicest street stylers that prove the staying power of comfortable footwear.

1. Dresses + ballet flats

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Olivia Palermo and model Alek Wek show how wearing ballet flats (preferably the Jimmy Choo variety) can look incredibly chic. A pointed toe or patent finish is key to this look, and the flat sole allows you to do a shorter dress length. And after their incredible comeback over the last year it’s safe to say they are also a great choice when it comes to trendy footwear.

Tory Burch

Womens Reva Ballet, size 8.5 Black

Delivery: free

£385.00

Tory Burch

Coach

Flat With Crystals Red

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£195.00

Coach

Tory Burch

Womens Reva Travel Ballet, size 2.5 White

Delivery: free

£275.00

Tory Burch

Womens Cap-Toe Ballet, size 3.5 Black

Delivery: free

£330.00

Tory Burch

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2. Combat boots

Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

Pair a romantic dress with cool worker boots – the perfect way to add an effortless edge to your evening dresses.

Stuart Weitzman

Stuart Weitzman Woman Allie Faux Pearl-embellished Leather Combat Boots Black Size 39.5

Sold out

£625.00

The Outnet

See By Chloé

Black Mallory Combat Boots

Sold out

£480.00

Ssense

Russell & Bromley

COMBAT 8 Eyelet Combat Boot Black

Sold out

£245.00

Russell & Bromley

Grenson

Grenson Woman Meg Leather And Suede Combat Boots Black Size 3.5

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£295.00

The Outnet

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3. Sneakers

BERLIN, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 07: Lois Opoku wearing a black leather jacket, a black dress and sneakers on September 07, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images)

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Berlin-based blogger Lois Opoku reminds us that everything looks cool with sneakers, even an oversized leather blazer paired with a cool t-shirt dress.

New Balance

Womens 327 Shoes, Moonbeam/Black, 4.5/M

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£105.14

Amazon

Cloudpulse Next Black

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£120.00

Skechers

Womens Billion 2 Prissy N Plush Sneaker, Taupe Crushed Microfiber, 3 UK Grey

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£52.49

Amazon

Cloud 6 White

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£140.00

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4. Biker boots

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Allie Michler of Vogue wears a white blouse, blue jeans, and black flats at the Thom Browne show on September 11, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Melodie Jeng/Getty Images)

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Vogue’s Market Editor Allie Michler is the epitome of looking chic without trying too hard in this always-cool combo of a white blouse, blue jeans, and black ballet flats.

Tory Burch

Womens Reva Ballet, size 8.5 Black

Delivery: free

£385.00

Tory Burch

Womens Cap-Toe Ballet, size 3.5 Black

Delivery: free

£330.00

Tory Burch

Womens Romy Mary Jane, size 2.5 Black

Delivery: free

£275.00

Tory Burch

Womens Eleanor Slingback Flat, size 4.5 Black

Delivery: free

£330.00

Tory Burch

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5. Investment sandals

BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 25: Tina Haase is seen wearing Nanushka dress in creme white, Jil Sander flats in black, Jacquemus bag, Chanel sunglasses on July 25, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images)

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German content creator Tina Hasse is the push we need to finally invest in a good quality pair of summer sandals. Her style of choice? A pair of slides from Jil Sander.

Fat Face

FatFace Cali Black Leather Fisherman Sandal

Delivery: £4.95

£65.50

FatFace

FitFlop

Gracie Back Strap Leather Womens Comfort Sandals - All Black - Size:UK 6.5

Delivery: free

£24.42

Legend Footwear

Generic

Womens Summer Strappy Flat Sandals, Open Toe Sparkly Crossover Straps Sandals Shoes Leather Walking Beach Gladiator Shoes 3 CM,Black,7 UK

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£35.99

Amazon

BESTSELLER

Keen

Zerraport II Synthetic Textile Womens Comfort Sandals - Silver Birch Black - Size:UK 7.5

Delivery: free

£19.35

Legend Footwear

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How to wear flat shoes with dresses: 5 chic outfits to copy

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Shop ballet flats: 12 styles for summer

Steve Madden

Ellison Flat Shoe NATURAL

Delivery: free

£99.99

Steve Madden

Clarks

Womens Meadow Rose Ballet Flat, Wine Combi, 7.5 UK Red

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£57.65

Amazon

Steve Madden

Gayla Flat Shoe LIME

Delivery: £3.95

£59.99

Steve Madden

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Generic

Womens Shoes S Spring Summer and Autumn Lightweight Suede Pointed Shallow Mouth Soft Bottom Bow Single Shoes Daily Dating Commuting Large Size Ballet Black

Delivery: Delivery costs apply

£15.99

Amazon