Shoes to Wear With a Wrap Dress

A wrap dress is a go-to dress because the style is generally figure flattering and comfortable. The waist-cinching wrap design flatters a variety of heights and body types, and wrap dresses are usually made of comfortable stretchy materials like jersey or silk. A wrap dress can go casual with knee-high leather boots and a distressed denim jacket for a lunch date or be given an elegant twist with metallic chandelier earrings, bold red lipstick and patent leather pumps or sandals. This versatility means choosing the right shoes to match your wrap dress can elevate it for events like a fancy gala or give it a breezy look for Sunday brunch.

Start With the Style

While every wrap dress features the same signature wrap design, this doesn't mean they're all the same. A longer hem that hits around or below the knee calls for shoes that will extend the length of your lower leg. Try pumps in a neutral like black or nude for evening or ballet flats for daytime.

Shoes in patent leather or satin add some formality for dressy occasions, while textured materials like leather or printed cotton feel more casual. A shorter wrap dress pairs nicely with gladiator sandals or espadrilles for summer or knee-high leather boots or suede ankle booties for winter.

The wrap-dress fabric can also determine your choice of shoes. A dress in a thin summer fabric like silk, cotton or jersey works well with summery sandals or wedges. A pastel colored T-strap pump is a dressier still appropriate for summer months. For winter, a wrap dress in a thick knit goes well with boots. Choose a worn-in brown leather pair for casual occasions or sleek black leather or patent boots for a night out.

Color Coordinating

A vibrant jewel tone wrap dress can highlight your coloring and bring out your eyes, while a bright print adds a pop of color and draws attention. It may be tempting to match your dress to your shoes, but matching pumps or flats to a solid dress distracts from the dress -- so neutrals are a better choice. Shoes in textured materials, such as jute espadrilles or pebbled leather flats, give you a less distracting choice that still provide visual interest. Sandals that incorporate a pop of the dress color also add the right visual balance for casual occasions.

If your printed wrap dress incorporates many colors, solid pumps or peep toe booties in a matching color help bring out the print and are a good style choice. However, a complex shoe like a strappy gladiator sandal or ankle-strap pump will add too much visual distraction and take away from the print.

Back to Basics

Remember that a wrap dress is a style classic because it is easy, comfortable and forgiving. Most neutral colored shoes in a basic design work with a wrap dress. If you are getting dressed in a hurry or do not want to worry about what shoes to wear, these types of shoes work with almost any wrap dress:

  • Black, brown or nude pump
  • Black, brown or nude ballet flat
  • Black ankle booties
  • Simple black or brown sandal or wedge.