6 Shoe Trends That Work With Jeans, Shorts, Dresses, and Skirts

While I’m a shoe person through and through, there is an instance when I fully understand how annoying non-versatile shoes can be, and that’s when I travel. I may want to pack a different pair of shoes for every outfit, but want and should are two very different things, and I do my very best to practice restraint when traveling. It’s made me realize the importance of having versatile shoes in one’s wardrobe. In fact, I’m much more motivated to buy a pair of shoes if they’re versatile enough for travel,

While selecting the six shoe trends below, I made a point to include ones that work with jeans, shorts, dresses, and skirts (AKA four spring staples), but really they’d work with just about anything. So if any of the following are true: You need new shoes, you like to travel, or you appreciate versatility, I encourage you to scroll through and learn about the latest versatile shoe trends and shop the most stylish pairs for your wardrobe. 

Fisherman sandals are a key casual shoe trend for spring and summer 2022. They’re great for dressing down a dress, they’re a good sturdy sandal option for walking in cities, and they’re kind of trendy but still classic.

Platforms have emerged as the frontrunner for the trend of the season, but I find platform mules to be the most versatile style. I’ve seen lots of pairs with platforms of different thicknesses, with the ones with the more moderate platforms being the most versatile.

Cloud sandals are perhaps the most comfortable shoe trend of the year. These squishy-sole sandals are a treat for the feet, and I’ve worn them with jeans, shorts, and dresses and can confirm that they work.

Ballet flats come and go, and they seem to have come for this season. There are many modern iterations of the trend (with square toes, ruching, etc.), but the traditional ballerinas are always a safe bet too.

Retro sneakers aren’t really a new trend, but they’re certainly still a trend. I wouldn’t hesitate to invest in a pair because they seem to be here to stay. While retro sneakers don’t work with every single dress or skirt, they do work with more casual styles.

The clog resurgence began last fall and it’s continuing on into spring and summer. Whether flat or with heels, they look good with pretty much everything. One scroll through Instagram (if you follow many fashion people) proves this. 

Next up, 41 pairs of heels that are both stylish and comfortable.