Flats Elevate Summer Dresses for Any Occasion

Comfortable footwear options that can still dress up any outfit

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:22pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph in soft, warm tones depicting a woman's feet in ballet flats walking on a city street, conveying the comfort and style of wearing flats with summer dresses.Comfortable yet stylish flats elevate summer dresses for any occasion, from daytime parties to evening dinners.NYC Today

Although heels are often seen as the go-to shoe for dresses, fashion expert India Roby is officially switching gears this summer and embracing flats as the more comfortable and practical option. Roby shares six reliable outfit ideas that demonstrate how to stylishly wear flats with dresses for a variety of summer events, from daytime parties to dinner dates.

Why it matters

As comfort and practicality become increasingly important fashion priorities, especially in cities like New York where walking is common, the article provides helpful guidance on how to wear flats in a way that still looks elevated and fashionable with dresses for a range of summer occasions.

The details

The article covers six specific outfit ideas pairing dresses with different flat shoe styles, including ballet flats, slingbacks, mules, and Mary Janes. Roby emphasizes that flats aren't just secondary alternatives to heels, but can be sleek and stylish enough to elevate any dress-based look, whether it's for the office, a daytime party, or a nice dinner out.

  • The article was published on April 10, 2026.

The players

India Roby

A fashion expert who wrote the article providing advice on how to wear flats with dresses for summer events.

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What they’re saying

“Flats aren't outdated, secondary alternatives to heels. If anything, the best options are comfortable and come in a slew of stylish silhouettes, from slingbacks and mules to Mary Janes and ballet flats.”

— India Roby, Fashion Expert

The takeaway

As comfort and practicality become increasingly important fashion priorities, especially in cities where walking is common, the article provides helpful guidance on how to wear flats in a way that still looks elevated and fashionable with dresses for a range of summer occasions.