Miley Cyrus wearing a dress and sneakers (benyupp/Creative Commons)

On these hot summer days, all we want to do is lay by the beach, or sit in an air-conditioned restaurant with our friends. Instead, we are scurrying down the street, trying to get to some place or another in clothes that are somewhat sticking to our skin. The dilemma of finding a breezy outfit with comfortable shoes has probably, at one point, crossed your mind. It’s no coincidence, then, that celebrities like Taylor Swift and Kristen Stewart have been seen wearing dresses with sneakers. Thefashionspot.com spotted this trend early on and reported about it on their website, and now, it's everywhere. Whether it’s going on a shopping spree through town or strutting down the red carpet, it is a trend that has technically been considered a faux pas for quite some time now. But believe it or not, I’ve seen girls on the street wearing this exact outfit, and I love it.

I know what you’re thinking – that could go undeniably wrong. But when it’s done right, you don’t have to discard your summer dresses quite just yet. That’s why I decided to spotlight this trend this week and show you how – and why – it works.

Like with every weird fashion trend, there are do’s, and there are don’ts. If your dress is made out of light fabric, consider sneakers that are made out of light fabric as well, such as canvas of fully breathable cotton. Fashion blogger Chiara Ferragni’s new “Superga Shoes” are a great option. For those that like less heavy shoes, Keds just released a new line of awesome colors. However, if you are wearing a wool dress, consider wearing suede or patent leather sneakers. Uggs or Tom’s are a good way to go because they are thicker in material. My new favorite foot accessory? A pair of oxfords.

Sneakers make a great dress accessory (Richard Masoner for Cyclelicious/Flickr)

Another tip is to experiment. Mixing and matching colors or prints can be a fun way to show off your personal style while trying something new. However, don’t mix colors AND prints at the same time; mix prints with prints or colors with colors. The girls on ABC’s show Pretty Little Liars combine color sequences that I would have never even thought of – orange with light pink, two different shades of purple – and it works this season. I have seen girls out and about wear striped dresses with small floral shoes and there was not one part of me that thought it looked too extreme. 

Another big “don’t” is to NEVER wear a big statement dress with athletic sneakers. Stray away from big and bulky sneakers, especially if you are wearing a dress with frills or sequins. Proportions are key for every outfit, and with this trend it is important to accentuate your best features. And as for every trend and style you are willing to try, keep in mind to dress in your best interest.

Don’t have any subtle sneakers in your closet? I have researched some outfit ideas and where to find cheap alternatives for you below.

Reach fashion writer Beatrice Verhoeven here. Follow her on Twitter @bverhoev. 

Courtesy of http://www.thefashionspot.com/style-trends/322639-the-dos-and-donts-of-wearing-sneakers-with-dresses/ for the fabulous idea of featuring this as this week's trend.