Kayla Young
If you’re wondering what shoes to wear with a maxi dress, you’ll be happy to know you have a lot of options. Whether you live in sneakers or you’re all about heels, maxi dresses are versatile enough that you can pair them with lots of different types of footwear.
In this article we will go through some different shoe options that will not only look good, but that you’ll feel comfortable wearing, while also answering a few FAQs about maxi dresses along the way.
Contents
What Is A Maxi Dress?
A maxi dress refers to a long casual dress with a hemline that comes down to no higher than your ankles to just above the floor.
Maxi dresses are usually more fitting on the top and become more loose flowing towards the bottom.
Shoes To Wear With A Maxi Dress
We are going to take a look at six of our favorite styles of shoes to wear with a maxi dress.
1. Flat Sandals
One of our favorite shoe styles with a maxi dress is a flat sandal. Flat sandals are casual but still feminine, not to mention a lot more comfortable than a lot of other shoe styles.
2. Mules
Mules are easy to wear thanks to their backless design, making them effortless to slip in and out of. They are super versatile and can be worn with a variety of outfits, including maxi dresses.
Mules come in all sorts of styles, from flats and wedges to platform and heels, all of which look great with a maxi dress.
3. Sneakers
A maxi dress with sneakers is a great look. There is something about the simplicity and the effortlessness of this pairing that makes it stylish.
It’s a cute casual look that’s also comfortable.
4. Strappy Block Heel
If you are looking to take your maxi dress up a style notch, ditch the sandals and sneakers and go for a strappy block heel. They will give any maxi dress a more feminine and sophisticated look.
A block heel provides both stability and comfort. Strappy block heels look great with any maxi dress style and you can choose the height you are most comfortable with.
Strappy block heels look great with any maxi dress style and you can choose the height you are most comfortable with.
5. Mary Janes
When it comes to Mary Janes, it can be hit and miss.
Paired with a shorter dress, they make it hard not to look like you’re 12. However, with a maxi dress you can get away with wearing Mary Janes if you are over the age of 20… but only if you go for the more ‘grown up’ versions — that’s to say Mary Janes with either a heel or a little bit of chunk to them will look great.
6. Espadrilles
Espadrilles are one of the best shoes to wear with long dresses in the summer or warm weather. A maxi dress with a bit of flounce and a leg slit is the perfect showcase for lace-up espadrilles.
Can I Wear A Maxi Dress If I’m Short?
Yes you can! However, there are a few things you want to look for and a few things you want to avoid if you are petite and looking to wear a maxi dress.
Dos:
- DO look for a solid darker color – Dark colors have a slimming effect that will elongate the torso.
- DO opt for a cut that’s closer to the body.
- DO choose a print that is appropriate to your size – if you are thin and petite, choose a small print. If you are medium built to plus-sized, choose a medium-sized print. Plus-sized tall women can wear larger prints.
- DO choose dresses made from soft and fluid fabrics.
- DO choose a maximum length maxi that goes almost to the floor – a maxi dress with a straight hem that goes just to your ankles will create a visual cut off line that will make you look shorter.
Any of these maxi dresses will look great on you if you are short.
Don’ts:
- AVOID color block patterns that cut you off in the middle
- AVOID large-sized prints.
- AVOID horizontal stripes – Not only do horizontal stripes make you look wider, but they will make you look shorter as well.
- AVOID boxy, balloon, or mumu-like dresses
- AVOID maxi dresses made of extra stiff materials.
While the following maxi dresses can look fantastic on those who are taller, these are the styles and patterns you want to avoid if you are short.
That wasn’t a list of what maxi dresses not to wear for everyone – the dresses above are super cute, but these styles are not right for those who are shorter.
Bodies come in all different shapes and sizes (and heights!).
So the trick to figuring out how to wear something and make it look good on you is to choose the right cut, color, and pattern that will flatter your body type without accentuating the things you don’t want magnified!
So the trick to figuring out how to wear something and make it look good on you is to choose the right cut, color, and pattern that will flatter your body type without accentuating the things you don’t want magnified!
How Not To Trip In A Maxi Dress
As easy to wear and versatile as a maxi dress is, it’s not without its drawbacks. A maxi dress can be an accident waiting to happen if you’re not careful.
First of all, they can be a tripping hazard.
So even if you are going full-length maxi, it should not be dragging on the ground when you’re wearing the flattest pair of shoes you plan to be wearing with the dress.
Or if you plan on being barefoot at the beach, make sure your maxi dress rests no lower than just below your ankle bones.
Just picture yourself running down the beach, selfie-stick in hand, trying to capture that perfect shot with waves crashing on the beach, sun setting in the background, and… faceplant.
When going up stairs, lift the dress, so you don’t step on it. Tripping and falling while walking on flat ground (or running down the beach) can be embarrassing, but you could literally break your neck tripping and falling down a flight of stairs.
When going up stairs, lift the dress, so you don’t step on it.
When going downstairs, lift the dress. You are less likely to trip on the dress when going down, but if your dress is dragging at the back down the stairs, not only is your dress going to get dirty very quickly but can be a tripping hazard for anyone walking behind you.
Be extra careful around mechanical moving objects, like escalators, moving sidewalks, and elevator doors.
Even non-mechanical moving objects can be a hazard. Walking through turnstiles, revolving doors, or riding a bike in a maxi dress can end in a lot of bad ways if you are not careful.
Just always be extra mindful of the extra material you’re wearing, especially if it’s a more flowy dress. And if you must use an elevator or walk through a revolving door, grab the skirt and pull in the excess material to make sure it doesn’t get caught.
Our last tip is to make sure the shoes you’re wearing are comfortable. You are more likely to trip if your feet are sore and tired.
Conclusion
We’ve shown you just some of the shoes that can look great with a Maxi dress. Just remember that, like palazzo pants and long skirts, maxi dresses have a lot of excess flowy material.
Just make sure your dress length is not too long that you’ll trip over it, and that you are super mindful not to get all that fabric caught on or in anything.
