The 12 Best and Most Stylish Shoes To Wear With a White Dress

White dresses aren’t only for brides. These garments look super chic whether you dress them up or down. I’m also a fan of the fact that they keep you cool during warmer summer months. But it can be hard to find accessories to complement the attire. And that’s why we’ve rounded up shoes to wear with a white dress.

Wearing different shoe styles can give white dresses different vibes, but it’s important to know what to consider when choosing what shoes to wear. For instance, you might consider the shoe style as well as your personal style. Additionally, the type of shoe you wear with white dresses will vary according to the event that you’re going to. But here’s the best news: You can wear shoes that offer style and comfort. There really is no need to compromise.

Below, we share the best shoes to wear with a white dress, whether you’re attending a formal event, going for a leisurely stroll, or raging at a white party.

12 Shoes To Wear With a White Dress

Sport Sandals and Socks

Let’s start off this list with a sportier look, shall we? Of course, not all white dresses are fancy. And a perfect example of that is this white tennis dress. To further channel your inner Sporty Spice, grab a pair of sporty sandals. And to show that you understand fashion, pair them with some colorful socks. This’ll add a pop of color and dimension to your white dress outfit.

Espadrilles

In case you’re not familiar with this term, allow us to break it down. Espadrilles are a type of shoe that prominently features a rope sole. They usually also have some sort of pattern, like the stripes here. Since white dresses can sometimes read a little flat, the stripes add a great focal point. All of that said, it’s also important to note that espadrilles can be flats, sandals, or wedges.

Metallic Shoes

As much as I love a good white dress, I have to admit that it can look plain if it’s not properly accessorized. To that end, I’ll opt for a metallic shoe that draws attention to itself. Typically, metallic shoes are made of the same material as other high heels, but they have glitter or reflective material on the outside. If you’re going to pair metallic shoes with your white dress, I’d suggest doing so with a shorter dress instead of one that’s floor length. I also love silver shoes when going the metallic route — as opposed to blue, green, pink, or any other color, really. White dresses are best complemented by a netural tone. And, my friends, metallics count as neutrals.

Strappy Heeled Sandals

This is a great opportunity to play with different shoe colors. Since the sandals won’t take up much outfit real estate, they will offer a nice pop of color. That said, I usually opt for more basic colors so that I know the shoes will match with pretty much everything in my closet. The black shoe photographed above is the perfect mix of classy, sexy, and fashionable. It features a high heel that will elevate your favorite white dress. All that said, strappy sandals go best with a mini dress. This way, the sandal straps can be prominently featured.

Nude Shoes

When you pair a white dress with nude shoes, you’re ensuring that your dress gets all the attention. As you can see in the photo above, the tan/nude color of the sandals complements the white sheet beautifully. These sandals are also an effective way of dressing your outfit down and making it more casual. It’s the perfect shoe for a beach or pool day, especially if you’re wearing a maxi dress as a cover-up. But if you want to go the nude-colored route and still glam up your white dress outfit, consider a heel or a wedge. 

Clear Shoes

The fashion girlies love wearing clear shoes with a white dress. It’s not hard to see why, considering that it provides a nude illusion for different skin tones. Plus, a lot of see-through high heels have white embellishments that’ll match your dress almost perfectly. These puppies will go with a dress of any length, but they may not be a good complement to fancier dresses.

Colorful Sneakers

The light-blue sneakers photographed above are a classic complement to a white dress. First of all, the stripes on the sides are white, so that’s a match. Secondly, they can add a flair of street style in case you want to make it a sportier look. Above all else, though, picking these shoes to wear with a white dress ensures your feet will be comfy all day (or night!) long. The cool blue tone that the model wears here is also a good match to the white. Though we could see an earthy green or baby pink also working well.

Colorful Flats

Red flats liven up just about any outfit, but they’re especially nice to wear with a white dress. You could grab a bright-red option like the ones from the photo above, or you could switch to something a little more muted. All of that said, I wouldn’t go with a white or black flat because that doesn’t add the much-needed dimension. Picking white may give you the bride look you want to avoid, and black will truncate your outfit. If you don’t want to go with a red flat, consider a burnt orange or mustard yellow.

Decorative Shoes

When I say decorative shoes, I mean shoes that have some sort of, well, decoration on them. The heels featured above have white bows at the toes. Other shoes may have a flower or a diamond. These types of shoes are perfect for any formal events you might attend since they’re quite classy. Plus, since they have oomph all their own, you can wear them with a white dress of any length.

Light Pink Mules

My mom says that pink is my color. Turns out that it’s pretty much everyone’s color, too. It brings out the pink in our cheeks, which ultimately softens up our look. When you’re wearing a white dress, it may wash you out, so wearing pink mules would be a great way to subtly make your outfit pop. I’d also consider adding similarly colored accessories for a cohesive look. Think: handbag and earrings.

White Heels

Hear me out: White shoes don’t have to drown out your white garment or make you look even more like a bride. In reality, they can be the perfect complement for a monochromatic look. White on white on white is a staple that you can wear to any type of event and, regardless of what the naysayers scream, it’s a look you can rock year-round. But if you are wearing white shoes, make sure they’re heels.

Clear and Colorful Sandals

Another great way to dress down your white dress is to find different color shoes to wear. Casual sandals, like Birkenstocks, are your go-to when that’s your goal. I particularly like these that have clear straps and an orange sole.

Again, sometimes it’s tricky to know how to style an outfit. I’ve had a similar problem trying to figure out which outfits to wear with knee-high boots. Every now and again, we all need a little bit of direction when it comes to getting dressed. So, the next time you need some fashion advice, you know where to find us.