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    These 10 Dress-and-Sandal Outfit Formulas Are Heatwave-Proof, Polished and Easy to Throw On

    Styled with both flats or heels, these are the summer dresses on our wishlist this week

    Natalie Hammond's avatar
    By Natalie Hammond
    Published 20 May 2026 In Buying Guides

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Summer dresses 2026
    (Image credit: @kalmanovich, @raquelcostagomess, @hannahallen00)
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    • Shop The Best Summer Dress And Sandal Pairings
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    Even if you don't count yourself as a "dress person" from September-May, there's something about a summer dress that can't help but tantalise. No doubt because it seems to promise not just good but glorious weather, but also, perhaps, because it signals a break, however fleeting, from the usual grind.

    Instead of everyday neutrals, you can slip into a printed summer dress that features polka dots and florals, a double whammy that can only mean one thing—it's holiday time (although you could equally wear it into the office with neat ballet pumps). And if, of course, a pared-back colour palette is your comfort zone, you can opt for interest elsewhere with, say, a slinky knit dress that finishes in fringe.

    Whatever you choose—from a lace-trimmed slip that's whisper-fine for sultry temperatures or an easy-breezy jersey T-shirt—the fastest way to make it work almost 24/7 is by pairing it with sandals; a flat during the day and a heel, however modest, at night.

    Keep scrolling to see the 10 summer dress and sandal pairings that get our vote as temperatures start rising.

    Shop The Best Summer Dress And Sandal Pairings

    Fringed-Hem Knitted Column Dress

    COS
    Fringed-Hem Knitted Column Dress
    £139
    £139 AT COS

    This fringed dress is already on every cool woman's radar, including Marie Claire's Lily Russo-Bah.

    Black Leather Flip Flops

    Nobodys Child
    Black Leather Flip Flops
    £99
    £99 AT NOBODY'S CHILD

    An elevated leather flip-flop is a no-brainer if you're looking for a flat sandal that will go with every summer dress in your wardrobe.

    Suzanne Mesh Wedge Sandals

    Aeyde
    Suzanne Mesh Wedge Sandals
    £330
    £330 AT AEYDE

    A wedge sandal might sound retro but not when it's rendered in mesh like Aeyde's.

    Ordinia Silk Gown in Rose Dot Mix Black

    Rixo
    Ordinia Silk Gown in Rose Dot Mix Black
    £495
    £495 AT RIXO

    Pink roses and polka dots? Only Rixo could make it work.

    Tkees Sandals

    Tkees
    Colette Gold Toe-Post Sandals
    £160
    £160 AT THE WHITE COMPANY

    Tkees' leather toe-post sandal is elevated with choice silver hardware.

    Satin Strap Heeled Sandal - Women | Mango United Kingdom

    Mango
    Satin Strap Heeled Sandal
    £46
    £45.99 AT MANGO

    Strappy and delicate, Mango's buckled sandal works for day, night and every occasion in between.

    Sheer Full-Length Dress

    ME+EM
    Sheer Full-Length Dress
    £125
    £125 AT ME+EM

    This halterneck dress can be dressed up or down, to the beach or in the evening, making it a two-in-one option if you're travelling without checked baggage.

    Fragolina Sugar Embellished Raffia-Effect Flat Sandals

    AQUAZZURA
    Fragolina Sugar Embellished Raffia-Effect Flat Sandals
    £635
    £635 AT AQUAZURRA

    Few brands do summer sandals as well as Aquazurra and these 'fragolina' sandals marry style and fun with function; they're the ultimate investment sandal to add to your collection.

    Gloria Sandals - Smooth Gold - Goat Leather - Sézane

    Sezane
    Gloria Sandals - Smooth Gold - Goat Leather - Sézane
    £160
    £160 AT SÈZANE

    A great pair of gold sandals are always one of the hardest working pairs of shoes in my wardrobe. This Sèzane pair will go with pretty much anything.

    Lace-Trimmed Slip Dress – Pink – Women – Arket Gb

    ARKET
    Lace-Trimmed Slip Dress
    £75
    £75 AT ARKET

    Negligee-style slip dresses are going nowhere fast this summer.

    Suzie Ruched Leather Slides

    Chloé
    Suzie Ruched Leather Slides
    £650
    £650 AT NET-A-PORTER

    A ruched leather slide will give your foot slightly more coverage this summer.

    Massimo Dutti Sandals

    Massimo Dutti
    Soft Leather Wedge Heel Sandals
    £119
    £119 AT MASSIMO DUTTI

    This wrap-around sandal, complete with a wedge heel, is more comfortable than it looks (promise!).

    Lana Fringed Floral-Print Linen Midi Dress

    ALÉMAIS
    Lana Fringed Floral-Print Linen Midi Dress
    £420
    £420 AT NET-A-PORTER

    No summer wardrobe is complete without an Alemais dress. Thats all.

    Leather Beaded Gladiator Sandals

    M&S
    Leather Beaded Gladiator Sandals
    £46
    £46 AT M&S

    M&S have some brilliant gladiator sandals right now, including this pair. They're the perfect ankle height and have slim straps which are more flattering on the foot.

    Jacquemus Sandals

    Jacquemus
    The Cubisto Mules
    £520
    £520 AT JACQUEMUS

    Jacquemus' raffia mule sandal will make wedding-guest dressing a cinch this summer.

    Ganni Dress in Zebra Satin

    Ganni
    Dress in Zebra Satin
    £360
    £360 AT GANNI

    Swap leopard for zebra this summer; it looks fabulously elegant in slip form.

    Hattie Suede Sandals in Black - a Emery

    A. Emery
    Hattie Suede Sandals
    £180
    £180 AT MYTHERESA

    A. Emery's buckled flat sandal is a one-and-done option if you're packing light for your next holiday.

    Miista Sandals

    MIISTA FTW
    Aruna Sandals - Tan Suede Leather
    £300
    SHOP NOW

    Miista's multi-strap sandals, with big and little buckles, will provide a point of contrast with a feminine summer dress.

    Tie-Waist Jersey Dress Buttercup - Xxs

    Toteme
    Tie-Waist Jersey Dress Buttercup
    £320
    £320 AT TOTEME

    Toteme's T-shirt dress couldn't be chicer or more comfortable.

    Leather Flip Flops

    COS
    Leather Flip Flops
    £95
    £95 AT COS

    Adding a 'pop of red' to your outfits is the easiest way to earn style points this summer.

    Arno Sandal

    IZIE
    Arno Sandal
    £660
    £660 AT IZIE

    Worn by Naomie Harris, Dakota Johnson and Saffron Hocking, Izie is our new favourite shoe brand for tantalising sandals.

    Aubree Linen Dress

    Reformation
    Aubree Linen Dress
    £98
    £98 AT REFORMATION

    Whether tomatoes, carrots or your favourite greens, summer dresses are meant to be fun and this Reformation dress is at the top of our wishlist.

    Pina Flat Sandal

    Reformation
    Pina Flat Sandal
    £198
    £198 AT REFORMATION

    This barely-there sandal has bite courtesy of its tomato colour palette.

    Paulin Leather Sandals

    By Malene Birger
    Paulin Leather Sandals
    £470
    £470 AT BY MALENE BIRGER

    An ankle-tie sandal, where you can criss-cross the straps high or low, adds a hint of drama.

    Costa Plaid Cotton Minidress in Blue - Faithfull

    Faithfull
    Costa Plaid Cotton Minidress in Blue
    £180
    SHOP NOW

    Faithfull The Brand is a favourite if you're looking for easy-to-wear prints like stripes or checks.

    Croco-Embossed Flip Flops Tangerine - 35

    Toteme
    Croco-Embossed Flip Flops
    £360
    £360 AT TOTEME

    Toteme's croc-embossed flip-flops are some of the chicest you'll find.

    70 Opera Leather Wedge Sandals

    Maryam Nassir Zadeh
    70 Opera Leather Wedge Sandals
    £520
    £520 AT NET-A-PORTER

    Another wedge, this time by Maryam Nassir Zadeh, who's long been a champion of the silhouette.

    Cotton Blend Ruffle Midaxi Knitted Dress

    M&S
    Cotton Blend Ruffle Midaxi Knitted Dress
    £65
    £450 AT STUDIO NICHOLSON

    The ultimate summer dresses are easy to throw on, and will work with or without a jacket. Case in point is this M&S crochet and cotton dress.

    A. Emery Sandals

    A. Emery
    Jalen Slim Leather Sandals
    £170
    £170 AT HARVEY NICHOLS

    A. Emery strikes again with this toe-loop sandal that also has a buckled ankle strap for extra support.

    Suede Clogs – Brown/beige – Women – Arket Gb

    Arket
    Suede Clogs
    £139
    £139 AT ARKET

    Arket's studded leather clog will go with summer dresses, linen trousers, Bermuda shorts, you name it.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Natalie Hammond
    Natalie Hammond
    Freelance Fashion Editor

    Natalie Hammond is a writer, editor and author who’s contributed to publications including Marie Claire, Elle, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Who What Wear, The London Standard, CNN and The Times. She was most recently senior fashion news editor at Grazia, and previously worked on the fashion desk of The Times. Her first book was published in August 2024, Bowie: His Style Principles, which is part of an ongoing series about world-famous wardrobes. She writes the Substack How Much?, a newsletter examining the culture of shopping.

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