9 Summer Skirts And The Flat Shoes To Pair Them With
From a mini skirt and sneakerinas to a crisp white midi and fisherman sandals, these are tried-and-tested pairings to save for later.
Good style is anything but formulaic, but it always helps to have a few failsafe combinations up your sleeve – especially when a) temperatures are soaring, b) you’re on holiday and have better things to do than to outfit-plan, or c) both of the above.
We have the perfect solution: choose one of nine summer skirt styles and match them to the perfect flat shoe, as per our carefully curated guide. From flip flops to the sneaker-ballet-shoe hybrid, fisherman sandals to pirate boots, we have narrowed down a few of our favourite flats (all perfectly suited to summer strolls, whether you’re in the city or somewhere in view of sea) and picked out the trending skirts to pair them with, from slinky slips to flippy minis – all with the help of some of fashion’s best-dressed insiders.
Pin your favourite outfits to your summer moodboard and come back to them when you’re feeling frazzled but in search of an excellent ensemble.
A Slip Skirt… And Flip Flops
Let us count the ways we love the slip-skirt trend. Firstly, one can be procured blissfully easily on the vintage market – or indeed, there are many beautiful new iterations, whether you want to splurge (The Row), save (Mango) or find a happy medium (Dôen). Secondly, it’s so versatile; it looks just as good with flip flops or ballet flats now as it will with a cashmere knit and knee-high boots come autumn. Don’t forget an anklet and/or toe ring.
A Pleated Mini Skirt… And Sneakerinas
Part trainer, part ballet flat, the sneakerina is the hybrid shoe that will make summer strolls more stylish and more comfortable. Do like Iris Law and team Foundry Mews’ dance-inspired pair with a pleated mini skirt – or a flippy skort, like Peachy Den’s Kylie style. The ballerina version of Puma’s Speedcat and Adidas’s Taekwondo Mei shoe also work well.
A Polka-Dot Skirt… And Almond-Toe Ballet Flats
An almond-toe ballerina feels like a more polished alternative to the classic ballet flat, and the perfect partner to a 1990s-inspired polka-dot skirt from Susa Musa or Miu Miu. Take cues from Marilyn Nwawulor-Kazemaks and opt for Chanel’s new-season, two-tone style or consider Ferragamo’s iconic Vara pump, which was the shoe of choice for Caro Editions’ SS25 lookbook.
A Sheer Skirt… And Mary Janes
We’ve long sung the praises of the naked dress, but let’s discuss the wildly more versatile naked skirt. Chanel, Alberta Ferretti, Fendi, and more all made strong cases for this ethereal garment, which can be dressed up with heels or made casual with flats. A pair of Mary Janes brings a down-to-earth touch to a tulle or organza style.
A Skirt Over Trousers… And Flatforms
The Noughties trend of wearing one’s skirt over one’s trousers has made a triumphant return. At Bottega Veneta and Johanna Parv’s SS25 shows, the hybrid garment was teamed with sleek heeled pumps, but it looks just as good with flatform sandals, as content creator Liv Madeline proves.
A White Midi Skirt… And Fisherman Sandals
When dressing for a heatwave, keep it simple in a crisp white midi skirt, oversized shirt and, the pièce de résistance, a pair of fisherman sandals. For something a little fun, opt for jelly styles from Loeffler Randall or Straw London, or go classic with a leather pair from Grenson, The Row, or Toast.
A Floral Mini Skirt… And Low-Top Trainers
The frou-frouness of a ruffled floral mini skirt – or indeed, a bubble-hem one – is instantly tempered by a pair of slim-profile trainers. Miu Miu’s cult low-tops are a natural choice, but Adidas’s Tokyo or SL 72 styles also work well. On top, keep things form-fitting and considered or do the exact opposite and throw on an oversized vintage band T-shirt.
A Handkerchief Skirt… And Pirate Boots
An asymmetric skirt makes every outfit more interesting, as does a pair of slouchy pirate boots – better yet when the two converge. We love the handkerchief-hem style on this fashion week guest. As for the boots, you can’t do better than Vivienne Westwood’s iconic, buckle-adorned style, which have peaked in popularity on pre-loved marketplaces.
A Fishtail Maxi… And Thong Sandals
Flounced silhouettes popped up in a few places at fashion week, from the peplum-topped chiffon trousers at Alaïa’s SS25 show to mermaid maxis on showgoers themselves. Balance the drama of a fishtail skirt with the nonchalance of a thong sandal – something simple and embellishment-free, ideally.
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