WITH many of us focusing on comfort when choosing what we wear, pairing dresses with sneakers seem to be a good idea. Pulling this look off as intended, however, can be a bit tricky. Here are some styling tips as well as some dresses that play well with sneakers. Sneakers work well with mini, midi and maxi dresses hitting at the ankle, says Nicole Pollard Bayme, founder of Los Angeles-based fashion styling firm, Lalaluxe. “If you pair them with knee-length dresses, however, they tend to shorten the leg. And floor-dusting maxis tend to get in the way of sneakers.” When trying to pull a combo together, Bayme says it’s important to keep balance in mind. “Pair frilly dresses from brands like Love Shack Fancy with rubber combat boot sneakers or sporty Stan Smiths,” she says. “Pair a monochromatic look — think black maxi tank dress from brands like Helmut Lang and The Row — with a neon pop of color, and pair a vintage dress with a designer sneaker for a high-low look.” She warns, however, that what you’re looking for is contrast, not competition. Los Angeles-based stylist and vintage boutique owner Chelsea Von Mach agrees, and also notes that it’s important not to overdo it. “Your sneakers should be cohesive with what you’re wearing without looking like you’re trying too hard or like you could go play rugby in them at the same time,” she says. “Don’t go over the top and wear soccer cleats with a gown. I don’t think that’s a vibe — it’s just goofy.” To make the look cohesive, Bayme recommends selecting accessories, like a bag, a jacket, a sweater, that help create a visual story so the sneakers look is thoughtful and not out of place. “Pairing your sneaker and dress ensemble with the appropriate bag is important,” she says. “Go for something that solidifies the playful look like a mini backpack, waist bag, or nylon shoulder bag. I would not do an evening clutch with a floral maxi dress and sneakers, or the shoes would look out of place.” With all that said, Von Mach notes that it’s difficult to give universal advice on how to make this look work, as a person’s height and body shape come into play, as do prints and fabrics and colors. So, she says, it’s important to play around to see what works for you. “Use your own style mood board as a road map, and do your own style homework, then create your own version of sneakers and dresses,” she says. “If something speaks to you and you don’t know why, go in that direction. Be bold. Buy the neon orange sneaker or the floral print one, just make it you!” Try these looks: Got a gleaming pair of white sneaks ready to hit the road? They’d pair perfectly with a gingham midi creation for an urban picnic or really any type of day date. When it comes to sneaker-perfect dresses, it’d be difficult to outdo a leopard-print slip dress. Slinky and sexy, this style might be too much without sneakers, which means it’s usually pitch-perfect when styled with them. And in its own way, leopard is a fairly neutral print, which means it’ll pair well with a wide range of options. A feminine-looking dress goes well with sporty sneakers, creating eye-catching contrast that looks intentional but not overwrought. A ribbed black midi dress can pair seamlessly with sneakers and a jean jacket. Even though a dress with prints can be a little busy, you can still pair it with sneakers if the silhouette is simple. In this case, it might actually be best to eschew an obvious white option in favor of something with a little more pizazz. You can go fully opposite in terms of color and print or try something in similar shades.(SD-Agencies) | 