We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A simple ballet flat since it's common knowledge that flats are a go-to for pairing with dresses, and these ones are actually comfy! Not to mention, they're super easy to pack in your suitcase, too.
2. An espadrille wedge if you've been dreaming of a sandal that's actually as comfy as it is cute — enter this supremely cushioned and super stylish godsend!
3. A pair of two-strap chunky heels to slip on for all your fancy summer outings, be it a night on the town, formal wedding, or brunch with the gals. According to reviewers, these are actually comfy enough to wear all night long, too!
Promising review: "These are absolutely a great purchase. I bought them for one outfit on vacation and ended up wearing them almost every night. They are cute, go with everything from casual to dressed up, and are comfortable enough to wear all night." —Amber Smith
Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in sizes 6–10 and 28 colors).
4. Or, this braided strap square toe slide for a similar ~fancy chic~ look only without the stress of walking in a heel (and trying not to trip and/or flash the entire downtown).
5. A pair of Rothy's pointed flats, which feature a simple and elegant design that'll pretty much always match your dresses, even as the fashion trends change. Not only are they knit from recycled plastic bottles (yay sustainability!) but they're also machine-washable. Won't take you long to realize why these are a cult-favorite.
6. A slip-on beaded strap sandal here to make your dreams of becoming a boho summer princess come true. All that's missing is a flowy peasant dress and some flowers in your hair.
7. A chic pair of leather slide sandals because they'll turn pretty much any summer outfit into one that radiates pure style. Put another way, they're giving ~trendy European fashionista.~
8. A Keen rose sandal that's pretty much my go-to summer shoe, mainly because it's practical for walking and hiking while still being super duper cute, in a sporty kinda way — cute enough that I don't hesitate to wear it with skirts and dresses (especially on vacations).
9. A Toms canvas loafer for when you want a shoe somewhere between low-top sneaker and ballet flat. These are them! Basically, they're perfect for when you're wearing a dress but want a slightly more casual look.
10. An espadrille platform sandal on a mission to add some ~oomph~ to your summertime 'fits (and make quite the statement on your Insta stories hehe).
11. A pair of these trendy two-strap sandals if you want the look and feel of crisscross Birks sans the expensive price tag and painful rubbing. Some reviewers even think these ones are softer and comfier than the name brand.
12. A Skechers woven wedge so you can confidently stroll about all sweet and flirty in your darling little sundresses. Hard to say what you'll love more: their adorable aesthetic or the foam-cushioned contoured footbed!
13. A pair of Dr. Martens vegan leather sandals, AKA the summertime equivalent of your fave ~spunky~ chunky platform boots. Thanks to these, there's no reason the punk-rock fashion vibes have to end when the weather gets warm and you swap the leggings for skirts and dresses.
Many reviewers suggest sizing down in these, though some recommend ordering your usual size in Dr. Martens if you know that. Prime members: You can try before you buy!
Promising reviews: "After I purchased these, they NEVER rubbed my heel or gave me blisters except once (I had been walking around downtown for an hour and it had been 90+ degrees and I was very sweaty). Otherwise, I wore these mostly every day over the summer for work and everyday wear. They still look great. Can't wait to bust them out of the closet again." —Rochelle
"Make sure you size down! I cannot stress this enough! Outside of that, they're perfect. I love the added lift for when I'm walking around and that I get a little bit of my punk aesthetic all summer long without having to wear my boots. Most certainly worth it!" —Brennan Rairdan
Get them from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in sizes 5–11 and six styles). Check out the Dr. Martens store on Amazon for more styles!
14. A classic Superga sneaker since it will go with literally anything in your wardrobe — not just dresses, but also jeans, skirts, dress slacks, overalls (you get the point).
15. A Crocs wedge sandal because you, like the other 7,000+ 5-star reviewers, will quickly become obsessed. These have all the comfort and durability of classic Crocs (even waterproof), only they're way more stylish, and therefore totally acceptable to wear with dresses. Tons of reviewers swear by these for vacations and beyond, even folks who'd basically vowed never to wear Crocs in their life!
16. A pair of block heel Mary Janes so you can look like a vintage pinup girl as you skip about the city streets this summer (and beyond).
17. A pair of handmade leather huaraches that will only get better over time. Seriously! They'll actually stretch and mold to your foot as you wear them, so don't be surprised if you suddenly find that you don't want to take them off, like ever. I doubt people will even notice so long as you wear a new dress every day. 😊
When it comes to sizing, it's recommended to order your true size if you're a whole size, but to size down if you're a half-size.
Based in Buena Park, California, Macarena Collection is a small business specializing in huarache shoe styles and hand-embroidered Mexican clothes and accessories.
Promising reviews: "Beautiful authentic huaraches! I had a pair years ago and they are the only shoes I've ever worn out! They are snug — I wear a 7.5 and ordered a 7, and they are loosening up as I type! Will definitely buy from them again. Seller even included a cute little leather flip-flop keychain. So adorable! Highly recommend." —Cheryl
"I love these shoes; this is my second pair from this shop. They come tight but then stretch to accommodate your feet and fit very well after breaking in. And they’re so cute! Love them." —Bridget Handrahan
Get them from Macarena Collection on Etsy for $49.59 (originally $61.99; available in sizes 5–10 and one color, although their store page has more color and style options).
18. A quilted slip-on shoe for when you want footwear that gives off trendy fashionista vibes...but isn't a sandal. Plus, according to reviewers, these are unbelievably comfortable.
19. A darling flower patterned flat to wear when your dress itself is missing florals, because is it even summertime if flowers aren't a part of your outfit in some way, shape, or form?
20. A pair of Anne Klein wedge pumps striking the perfect balance of casual, chic, and comfy. It's worth noting that the super cute twisted strap is made from a stretchy fabric that won't dig into your skin and cause discomfort.
21. A pair of big buckle Birkenstocks that are just as incredible as the regular Arizona Birks, only with an extra kick of *glam,* which will add the perfect touch of style peeking out beneath your maxi dress.
22. A vegan suede sandal for when you want something simple but still super duper stylish. These come in all different kinds of colors and patterns (including a chic cheetah-print pattern) but have only the slightest hint of a heel — so don't be surprised if you completely forget about it and think you're wearing comfy flats instead.
23. A lug-sole strappy platform sandal to let everyone know you are here, taking up space, and not shying down! These are the kind of statement shoes that give you a BOOST, both in terms of your physical height and your confidence.
24. A wedge sandal with a cute cotton crocheted strap that's kinda like the "rich aunt" of your casual summer flip-flops — and by that I mean it's just a bit more sophisticated and fancy, yet just as easy and comfy to wear.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.