The 6 sandals below run from a $75 ceiling on dressy ankle straps up to cork footbed pairs that need breaking in before a full day.
The right choice depends on whether your dress needs its legs lengthened or its pattern left alone, something each of these 6 styles handles differently.
1. Ankle Strap High Heels
Ankle strap high heels are the sandal I reserve for weddings, summer parties, and any dress that needs its legs lengthened.
The thin strap above the ankle draws a clean line that makes a midi or maxi dress hang better than it would with bare ankles or a heavier shoe.
I keep a hard ceiling of $75 on these because my pair comes out maybe four times a season.
For anything office-bound I still reach for a closed pump instead. White or nude straps disappear against the leg; black reads more formal than most daytime events need.
2. Slide Sandals
Slide sandals read as the deliberate choice flip flops never quite manage. A two-strap leather version in white or tan handles a floral maxi for a city afternoon and still looks pulled-together if the afternoon stretches into drinks.
The crocheted dresses that are everywhere this summer need exactly this: something neutral and flat to keep the focus on the pattern.
For a dressier evening, a slim metallic slide works with anything that skims the knee. Rubber slides exist and cost less, but creased leather ages better and does not announce itself as pool-adjacent.
3. Braided Flat Sandals
Braided flat sandals carry the texture of a beach bag without the raffia stiffness. The woven leather softens against the foot and gives a plain shirtdress the slight elevation of something considered.
White or tan goes back to virtually every summer dress already in the closet. I would add the raffia bag only if the occasion is genuinely seaside; otherwise the sandal’s texture is enough and doubling it looks like a set.
These are the sandals to wear when the day involves walking and the dress is casual enough for flats.
4. Sparkling Embellished Platform Sandals
Sparkling embellished platform sandals carry enough ornament that the rest of the outfit should stay quiet.
The rhinestone knots and raised sole do the work of jewelry and heel height together; a simple dress in a solid color keeps the look from competing with itself.
Check that the platform is balanced front to back, not just a thick sole under the ball of the foot.
A true platform distributes weight and spares the arch on long nights. These need a pedicure, visible straps demand it, and pale polish reads cleaner against white and silver than bright color would.
5. Espadrille Platform Wedges
Espadrille platform wedges give the lift of a heel with the stability of a sole that meets the ground flat.
The woven jute sole is the detail that marks these as summer-specific; paired with a ruffled or printed mini dress, they suit brunch, a shower, or dinner outside without requiring a change of shoes.
Gold metallic leather warms against sun-faded skin better than silver does. The wedge is the sandal I suggest when someone wants height but will be on grass or cobblestones, where a stiletto sinks or wobbles.
These are not all-day walkers, the jute platform has weight, but for events measured in hours they outlast a narrow heel.
6. Casual Two-Strap Cork Footbed Sandals
Casual two-strap cork footbed sandals are the choice when the dress is easy and the day is long.
The molded cork sole shapes to the foot over time and the buckled straps adjust for width; these are sandals meant to be broken in, not worn fresh out of the box for a full day.
Tan leather against a floral dress reads intentional rather than lazy, but the look needs the dress to be equally unfussy: a cotton shift, a tiered sundress, something that does not require a heel to hold its shape.
I would check the strap placement against my own instep before buying; too high and the foot slides forward, too low and the edge rubs.
Choosing the Right Sandals
The occasion sets the ceiling on how formal your sandal needs to be. A wedding or summer party calls for the ankle strap’s clean line; a city afternoon wants a slide that reads deliberate rather than accidental.
Black sandals disappear against a cocktail dress or tailored pantsuit and need no extra planning; white reads cooler against washed-out florals and linen.
A dress mule slips on fast and still looks considered when you are catching a cab between 2 stops.
The buckle should sit where your foot is narrowest, not where the designer assumed it would be.
Balancing Style and Comfort
Flat dress sandals stay comfortable through a long dinner or a day that starts at brunch and ends on a rooftop.
A block heel carries weight better than a stiletto on grass or cobblestones.
Versatility of Sandals
Even a flip flop straddles the line: rubber at $2 reads backyard, leather at $125 reads considered.
Either way the look stays casual and open to a picnic, though the leather pair still says you would join the volleyball game. Wield that power wisely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of sandals look good with dresses?
Ankle strap heels, slides, braided flats, and espadrille wedges all work, depending on the dress and occasion. Thin ankle straps lengthen the leg for midi and maxi dresses, while flat slides and braided sandals keep casual dresses from looking overdone.
What sandals are on trend in 2026?
A neutral flat slide keeps the eye on open-weave fabric instead of competing with it.
An espadrille platform wedge handles grass or cobblestone without the wobble a stiletto would give you. Gold metallic leather catches late-afternoon light in a way silver rarely does on skin that has seen sun.
Is it okay to wear sandals with a dress?
Yes, and the pairing works for nearly every summer occasion if you match the sandal’s formality to the event.
A wedding calls for an ankle strap heel; a city afternoon wants a deliberate slide; a long walking day wants a broken-in cork footbed flat.
The only mismatch is wearing pool-adjacent rubber slides somewhere that calls for leather and a heel.
