Opposites Attract! How to Wear Spring’s Chunkiest Shoes and Loveliest Dresses

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Photo: Getty Images / Photographed by Phil Oh; Acielle / Style du Monde

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There is no clearer example of fashion’s recent obsession with practical footwear than in Gucci’s shoe-sandal hybrid. Inspired by outdoor apparel, Gucci’s shoe is enough to make even the most seasoned hikers blush—here is a shoe so jolie laide, so practical, one could literally wear it for a trek in a national park or out on the streets at Fashion Week. This perfect marriage of functionality and comfort is easier to style than one might think, too. Just look at recent street style photos from across the globe this fashion month for the proof, where women let opposites attract, wearing chunky and durable shoes with a gorgeously feminine dress.

In Paris, thick sandals were paired with ladylike-length dresses and oversize sunglasses for a kind of free-spirit-meets-pool-locker-room vibe. Meanwhile, in Stockholm, showgoers matched off-the-shoulder pale pink frocks with the chunky white sneakers. The result was a look that was feminine but with just the right amount of an edge.

Here, a few of our favorite ways to try this strange, stylish trend.

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Photographed by Phil Oh
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Coco Shop Puff-Sleeved Dress

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Gucci Leather Mesh Sandals

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Photographed by Acielle / Style du Monde
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Tibi Pleated Sleeveless Dress

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Eytys Angel Patent Sneakers

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Photographed by Phil Oh
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Reformation Winslow Dress

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Melissa Slide + RIder Slides

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Photo: Getty Images
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Stine Goya Jasmine Textured Dress

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Marc Jacobs Somewhere Sport Sandals

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Photographed by Phil Oh
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Whistles Daisy-Print Stine Dress

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Suecomma Bonnie Pink Floral Sneakers