It's no secret that sneakers have easily become the fashion world's best friend. With athleisure (and its many iterations) being a front-runner and a steady trend season after season, we've come to accept and embrace a pair of kicks as a convenient and stylish choice of footwear for just about any occasion.
That said, you can easily make use of the sporty vibe sneakers give off to strike a balance in your OOTDs—like, say, to offset your skirt's dainty feminine aesthetic. Skirts teamed with sneakers are a no-fail combo for when you feel like you "have nothing to wear." So here, we curated a mini cheat sheet you can always refer to when you're stuck in a fashion rut. Depending on whatever type of skirt you have in your closet, here are the best pairs of kicks you can pair it with to complete your look!
How to Wear a Skirt with Sneakers
1. Flared skirt/ A-line + High-top sneakers
Flared or A-line skirts offer a universally flattering silhouette. They transcend shapes and sizes and ultimately highlight your womanly curves. Hence, the only thing left to decide on is which equally flattering pair of footwear should you wear it with! If heels and flats aren't an option, then you may opt for high-top sneakers. By doing so, the shoe's high cut will slim down your ankles. This especially works for light-colored pairs that may look as if they're an extension of your legs.
2. Pleated skirt + Slip on sneakers
Here's a cool office attire that you can turn into a work uniform: thin sweater + pleated skirt. While ballet flats or court shoe pumps would immediately be your knee-jerk shoe pairing, you can also rely on slip-on sneaks as an equally chic alternative. Pleated skirts tend to look too feminine, so you can balance it off with black slip-on sneakers if you prefer to lean towards a more formal (but comfy!) look for the office.
3. Mini skirt + Chunky sneakers
Mini skirts effortlesly elongate your gams, thus allowing you to have the option of wearing a bulky shoe silhouette with it. With the slimming effect that mini skirts bring, your shoe choice can permit some volume to counterbalance its effect. Opt to reach for a mini skirt that is high-waisted to further trick the eye that your legs start at a higher point so that your chunky sneakers won't cut you short.
4. Maxi skirt + Colored sneakers
Just because maxi skirts tend to cover your bottom half doesn't mean you should sleep on the opportunity to show off some eye-catching footwear. When wearing floor-grazing skirts, one's instinct may lead you to dress with a bohemian vibe—but do know that you can style maxi skirts beyond this aesthetic. A way for you to reinvent the look is by reaching for the right pair of footwear. Add a sporty vibe to your look and slip on some cool kicks. While you're at it, be sure to opt for brightly colored sneakers that will take a peep as you walk!
5. Tea-length skirt + Statement sneakers
Because this long skirt hides your legs, you can opt to be a little more daring when it comes to your footwear. Ditch the predictable colored heels or combat boots. Instead, choose comfort and maximum sartorial impact by wearing a pair of statement sneakers. Take a look at this outfit. Its monochromatic color can deem the attire too mundane. But with the right statement shoe, the wearer instantly gets a vibe of cool nonchalance without trying too hard. If your statement kicks come in a chunky silhouette, pair the shoe with a skirt made from lightweight material (like satin or lace) to balance the volume. You can also go for one with a high slit if you're on the petite side to keep the shoe from engulfing your frame.
6. Wrap skirt + Classic trainers
Wrap skirts are fun and flirty. While mules and slides would be the obvious choice for a laidback look with this piece, we suggest sprucing things up by pairing the skirt with classic yet relaxed sneakers. You can slip on some trainer kicks to inject a sporty vibe into your otherwise frilly look. By doing so, you can get a relaxed yet polished overall vibe with a tee, wrap skirt, and trainer shoe style combo! So chic yet effortless!
7. Pencil skirt + Platform sneakers
Pencil skirts are often worn in the offices so they have a reputation of looking too formal or boring. They're body-hugging, too, and most styles fall mid-calf so wearing them with a non-heeled shoe has a tendency of cutting you short. Because of these woes, pencil skirts are deemed not casual attire-friendly, but lucky for you, we have the perfect shoe solution. Instead of keeping your pencil skirts at the back-burner when it comes to relaxed outfits, you can pair them with platform sneakers. That way, you get the same effect to your glutes and legs as any heeled shoe can give you. Platform kicks paired with a body-hugging pencil skirt will instantly tone your butt and boost your height without the heel pain!
8. Asymmetrical skirt + Skater sneakers
Skater sneakers may seem too boyish or bulky for a woman's frame. But hear me out first—you can definitely turn this into a cool sporty, athletic look for the office, just by minding the shoes you wear. Consider this chunky silhouette that will for sure be a great contrast against your polished pieces. Here is an example of a refined and minimalist look you can easily copy: Pair a ribbed mock neck top (which you can layer over or replace with a crisp white button down, too), with an asymmetrical skirt. Finish it off with the skater shoes. By teaming up the bulky shoe with this uneven hemmed skirt, you give some movement to the outfit. Additionally, a form-fitting top is needed to balance the bulk below. The result is a sporty yet polished look you can wear out on a casual day. Add some minimalist necklaces and you can take this look to the office.
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