Bodycon silhouettes never go out of style. Whether you’re bundling up for the fall or you’re trying to save every minute of summer you can, bodycon dresses (depending on the style, of course) make you look like you know what you’re doing. But, what shoes to wear with bodycon dresses?
Perhaps you’re thinking of wearing loafers because they’re much, much more comfortable than stilettos.
Maybe you’re considering wearing platform pumps because Instagram’s been bombarding you with pictures of celebrities rocking those mind-blowing and gravity-defying Versace Medusa Aevitas platform pumps.
Whatever the case might be, we’re here to help you figure out what to wear when you finish work at 6 and have cocktails with your girlfriends at 6:01.
Worry not, a bodycon dress works for both occasions when worn with the right shoes and a couple of statement accessories – as seen on trendsetters such as Zendaya, Hailey Bieber, and Blake Lively.
Even though that might not be something you thought about, a bodycon dress can be the ultimate look for a powerful, professional woman who knows what she wants and a socialite who can’t go without hitting at least three clubs on a Friday night – at the same time.
Depending on what you’re looking for, don’t shy away from experimenting with shoes you would never, ever combine with a dress. “How to style a bodycon dress?”, “What shoes to wear with a bodycon dress?” Google searches are about to become a thing of the past.
How to style a bodycon dress?
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When you wear the right dress, you can conquer the world and nobody can tell you otherwise.
We can argue that you don’t need a dress to boost your confidence, offer you a helping hand when you’re thinking of speaking to your crush, or make you feel like the prettiest person in the room.
But, when you’re wearing the right dress combined with the right shoes and the right accessories… Everything feels right.
And, you might be thinking to yourself “I have the right dress, but I don’t think I know how to wear something that perfect,” you’re not the only one.
We’re guilty of looking at Instagram posts of our favorite fashion influencers and celebrities and thinking we would never be able to look that polished, put-together, and styled to the gods.
But, we’re forgetting that celebrities have numerous stylists and designers fighting to make them look perfect. Now you do, too.
Before you do anything, make sure you choose a bodycon dress that accentuates your features. Go for a flattering fabric that’s going to help smooth everything and don’t shy away from getting the right undergarments, too.
Kim Kardashian built her entire empire around the fact that women love shapewear – what’s stopping you? Of course, when you settle on the dress of your dream, you need to choose the right shoes.
Stilettos, high heels, and platform pumps seem obvious enough considering that most stylists advise against wearing bodycon dresses with flats.
But, we’ve observed the street style of a bunch of celebrities and concluded that flats, slides, and chunky loafers look awesome.
Other than the shoes, make sure you don’t overaccessorize your bodycon dress. Add layers with an oversized blazer, but settle for only a couple of gold accents (earrings and a belt, for example).
What shoes to wear with a bodycon dress?
1. Stiletto pumps
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When we think of stiletto pumps, we think of Kate Middleton and her signature Jimmy Choo Romy heels that come in every color and heel height you can imagine.
Of course, we would love to channel our inner Duchess when we’re trying to figure out what shoes to wear with a bodycon dress, but… Jimmy Choos cost anywhere from $650 to $1,050 depending on the style of Romy heels you go for.
On the other hand, nothing’s stopping you from getting a pair of pretty stiletto pumps that agree with your budget and combining them with your bodycon dress. Even without the designer tags, stiletto pumps can make your outfit look like a million dollars.
2. Strappy high-heeled sandals
Dressing for a summer party has never been easier. Whether you’re thinking of going with a flat strappy sandal paired with a little black (bodycon) dress or a Steve Madden Lafayette heeled sandal combined with a white, ankle-length dress, you’re about to turn heads.
Dresses and strappy sandals have always been a thing, but they seem to have made a comeback on TikTok and Instagram. Hailey Bieber’s brown leather dress worn with brown strappy sandals took the fashion world by storm.
Brown dresses and bodycon silhouettes seem to be her new thing considering she’s been slaying the game with her fashion choices lately.
Take a page out of Hailey’s book and style your bodycon dress with strappy high-heeled sandals of the same color – you’re bound to be the best dressed at whatever occasion you’re getting ready for.
3. High-heeled mules
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While Hailey seems to be the one to follow when we’re talking about what shoes to wear with a bodycon dress, she’s not the only one.
Our favorite Victoria’s Secret babe, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley definitely knows how to style a pair of high-heeled mules with a dress that screams “look at that body!”
However, mules work even when you’re not looking forward to wearing something that slides off your foot. Manolo Blahnik kitten-heeled mules work wonders when combined with bodycon dresses and trenchcoats.
Even flat mules can look great with a fitted dress when you add a couple of layers on top and go for pointed-toe mules rather than rounded ones.
4. Platform pumps
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Oh, the love we have for platform pumps! We’re not even surprised that they made a comeback with Versace’s Medusa Aevitas platform pumps that became every celebrity’s staple shoe.
Names such as Ariana Grande, Beyonce, and Tracee Ellis Ross have been wearing them for quite some time. And, even after Versace’s platforms became the norm, other designers stepped up the game with their take on the trend.
Bottega Veneta, Amina Muaddi, and Nodaleto came through and gave the world more reasons to combine platform pumps with fitted dresses. Need we say we have the answer to your “What shoes to wear with a bodycon dress?” question?
While you can go crazy on your color scheme and get away with that, we’re suggesting you combine your bodycon dress with platform shoes and an oversized coat of the same color for a monochromatic (always on trend) look.
5. Loafers
Loafers have been named the number one fall footwear trend by none other than our favorite fashion magazine, Vogue. We don’t even need to say anything other than that to explain why we think loafers worn with a fitted dress work perfectly together.
Whether you’re comfortable with wearing flats to work, or you’re looking for something with an edge – loafers have been filling the racks with designer styles and nostalgic versions channeling the ’90s and ’00s.
Eastland Penny loafers, for example, would look great with knitted socks and a tight, mini-dress. Platform loafers, on the other hand, would work better with a longer, fitted dress to balance out the height of the heels. Whichever style you decide to go with, you’re bound to look like you know what you’re doing.
6. Sneakers
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Now, sneakers and dresses aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. And, there’s nothing wrong with choosing to wear shoes that traditionally go with bodycon dresses such as stiletto pumps, high-heeled sandals, and other shoes with a little bit of height to them.
However, you shouldn’t shy away from exploring the world of possibilities that the right style of sneakers offers.
Dressing down something that’s viewed as business wear or party wear has never been easier considering the fact that designers have been fighting over the spotlight of who gets to design the sneaker that goes with everything.
Addidas, New Balance, and Nike can be seen on Kendal Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, and Hailey Bieber’s Instagram accounts. And, to make things even better, styling them together (bodycon dresses and sneakers, of course) couldn’t be easier because everything goes.
7. Slides
We’ve seen our share of slides worn with pretty much anything over the summer and we didn’t have anything negative to add.
Slides are a great way to make your fitted dresses look a little more easy-going and like you didn’t even try to look good (while looking like an absolute goddess).
Now, the chunky trend has been a thing on Instagram and TikTok which means we’ve seen outfits on outfits combined with the chunkiest of slides.
Bottega Veneta, Rag & Bone, and even Zara came up with versions you can use as a starting point to build something that looks trendy and cool.
That’s the thing with choosing which shoes to wear with a bodycon dress – you’re better off picking the shoes first, and then going with a fitted dress that fits the vibe you were going for.
As a general rule of thumb, flats go with shorter dresses and platforms go with longer ones.
8. Chunky boots
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What are chunky boots, though? When we utter the word chunky, we’re almost always referring to shoes that are embellished with those thick, chubby soles which have been everywhere for the past couple of months (even years).
But, chunky boots can be any boots that add some bulk to the lower part of your silhouette.
So, when you’re thinking of an outfit to wear with chunky boots, you try to balance out the chunk that’s on the bottom with something that complements the rest of the outfit.
Chunky knee-high boots would work great with a knitted dress and a long, knitted cardigan wrapped around the shoulders. Chunky Chelsea boots would make your outfit stand out whether you’re combining them with a longer bodycon dress or a shorter one.
9. High-heeled ankle boots
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High-heeled ankle boots are made for walking (“and that’s just what they’ll do”).
While you might never think that comfort and high-heeled anything go together, ankle boots have a way of cushioning your foot and making you think you can walk anywhere you want.
And, to make matters better, they’re one of those shoes you can wear with a bodycon dress and not worry about looking like you tried too hard.
Stilettos scream “I looked for inspiration on Pinterest!” And, strappy sandals shout “I wanted to look like the most attractive version of myself!”
With ankle boots, you look like you had the entire cast of Gossip Girl help you pick an outfit that’s wearable and provocative at the same time.
Knitted dresses work great because they’re bound to keep you warm (and fashionable), but you won’t go wrong with whichever style you go for.
10. Tigh-high boots
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Tigh-high boots with an itty-bitty bodycon dress should be your shoes of choice when you’re trying to be a femme fatale.
When wearing the sultriest of boots, you’re bound to turn heads whether that’s something you were trying to achieve or not.
Sure, the combination might not be appropriate for work. Whichever occasion you choose to wear these risqué but classic thigh-highs, you need to understand you’re going to be the center of attention.
Combine them with a black, leather dress and bold, red lips, and you have yourself a dangerously stellar ensemble.
