Can I wear sneakers with a dress?

A reader wonders if he can ditch his fancy flats for good.

I noticed that sneakers with dresses are becoming a thing. But I can't figure out how to match them. Long dresses with flat sneakers or platforms? What about colors? Can I finally ditch my dressed up apartments for good? — Yael, Bronx, New York

Since Serena Williams wore sneakers with her Versace dress at the Met Gala a few years ago, and since then we've had two years of social isolation and dressing comfortably, it's fair to say that at this point sneakers with everything, everywhere is one thing - for just about everyone.

Let's be honest: it's hard to go back to high heels or even gladiator sandals. It's hard to remember why we used to accept the idea of ​​pain as part of everyday footwear.

We've reached the end point natural to the trend that originated in the 1980s, when a legion of women stuffed their heels into their tote bags and started commuting to work in aerobics shoes. See, for example, Melanie Griffith in "Working Girl." Today, sneakers are as much a part of a basic wardrobe as jeans and a white t-shirt.

That's why all designers of Balenciaga (after recently causing a social media mess with sneakers made to look like they just came out of a landfill) to Chloé and across the alphabet has sneakers as part of their offerings, no matter how tall they are.

Why Comme des Garçons' Rei Kawakubo has long showcased his collaboration with Nike on his catwalks, paired with a number of fantastic concoctions that push the limits of what "clothing" even means. Why Maria Grazia Chiuri, Artistic Director of Womenswear at Dior, paired just about every look from her Cruise 2022 collection with sneakers. Why Vogue just announced that "trainers and dresses are the coolest pairs for summer".

That's why there is a sneaker for just about any outfit - or any dress. Indeed, they add a touch of cool or casual to an otherwise appropriate outfit, making it impossible to stereotype and giving it a catch-all vibe. You can be chic and buttoned up and ready to roll down.

Since prices range from collectible, sneakers as an art form to accessible end, you can choose what suits both your budget and your personality. It's simply a matter of the right proportions.

Above-the-knee dresses pair well with bigger, heavier kicks and high shoes ( any number of Air Jordans; take your pick), while mid-calf or longer looks are better with a slimmer, lower profile sneaker. Floral or ruffled dresses, girl dresses benefit from being paired with more heavy-duty sneakers, while flowy looks work well with vintage styles like Stan Smiths or