How to Wear Slides

Co-authored by Hannah Park

Last Updated: April 18, 2021 References

Slides are a great shoe choice for warm weather. You can style your slides in a variety of ways, pairing these shoes with casual or dressy outfits. You can choose simple, solid-colored slides or go for a unique look with furry or patterned slides. Make sure you keep your feet comfortable in slides by wearing them in appropriate weather, choosing a comfortable foot bed, and protecting your feet from uncomfortable rubbing.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Creating Casual Looks

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Pair slides with jeans for an easy, everyday style. One of the easiest ways to wear slides is to pair them with jeans. Slides look great with cropped, tapered, or relaxed denim. You can also wear them with a variety of denim washes, ranging from stonewash to indigo or even black denim.
- A pair of black slides with a heel would look great with skinny jeans and a ruched blouse. This would be a perfect outfit for summertime cocktails with your friends or even a casual date.
2
Create a laid-back outfit by pairing linen pants with a nice pair of slides. Pairing slides with casual linen can update your summer look. The combination will keep you comfortable and cool in a variety of settings, taking your outfit from afternoon to evening with ease.^{[1]
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- Try pairing green linen pants with a woven, brown leather slide.
- You can even pair neutral or bold colored slides with a navy linen suit, creating a casual, yet elegant outfit.
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3
Wear floral or plaid slides with a neutral skirt or pants. Patterned slides are a fun way to add some detail to your warm weather wardrobe. Even if patterns aren’t your usual go-to, try a pair of slides adorned with flowers, plaid, or another pattern. Try to avoid too many patterns by pairing the slides with neutral or solid colors, like black, beige, or denim.
- Wear black and white plaid slides with a solid colored linen sundress.
- Try a pair of floral slides paired with cropped denim and a simple white top.
4
Wear crossed leather slides with khakis for a classic look. Try out a pair of leather slides with a leather cross band upper. These slides can be a summertime classic when paired with a pair of khaki shorts or linen pants. While perfect for a poolside afternoon or backyard barbeque, crossed leather slides are also dressy enough to make their way to an elegant seaside dinner.
- Try wearing crossed leather slides with dressy shorts and a polo shirt for a simple, casual look.
- Go for a pair in brown leather, as the color adds a touch of formality to the sandal.
5
Wear striped beach slides with active wear, dark denim, or a casual dress. You’re probably familiar with the popular striped beach slides that are traditionally made of rubber-like material. These slides are comfortable and versatile, and look great with a variety of outfits.^{[2]
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- Try a three-stripe design for a classic look.
- Dress up athletic slides by pairing them with a little black dress.
- Try wearing cropped black jeans with athletic slides and a black t-shirt.
6
Try wearing slides as a comfortable travel shoe. If you’re heading to the airport or going on a road trip, slides are a great shoe choice. You can dress them up or down. They are also effortless when going through airport security.
- Try wearing linen pants and leather slides for a comfortable, yet chic travel outfit.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making a Statement with Slides

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Slip on some heeled slides with a dress for a trendy, comfortable option. You can dress up any outfit with a pair of heeled slides. Try wearing slides with a small, blocked heel for a modern look. A pair of slides with a tall, skinny heel will pair well with a nice dress, and a pair of slides with a wedge heel will go well with everything from dark denim to a pencil skirt.^{[3]
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- Make sure the heeled wedges are comfortable if you will be wearing them for a long period of time.
- Try walking around in the heels before purchasing them to ensure they are the right fit, height, and comfort level for you.
2
Wear furry slides with linen pants to make a bold statement. A pair of fuzzy, furry slides can turn an everyday outfit into something memorable. Try pairing your furry slides with an airy dress, business wear, or slouchy linen pants. You can also wear furry slides around the house for a updated, comfortable look on a lazy weekend or evening.^{[4]
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- Choose brightly colored furry clogs to add a pop of color and texture to your look.
- Wear neutral, fuzzy slides with a bold colored top and skirt.
3
Step into fringed or ruffled slides to dress up dark denim. Fringe and ruffles are eye-catching additions to a pair of slides, adding flair and detail to your summertime sandals. Try wearing a pair of fringed slides with your favorite dark denim jeans. You can also wear them with a simple, solid colored sundress or dress slacks.^{[5]
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- Pair ruffled slides in a gem colored hue with a simple black
- Keep the rest of your outfit as simple as possible to avoid overwhelming your look.
4
Dress up an everyday outfit with shiny slides. You don’t always need ruffles or fringe to rock a pair of head-turning slides. Shiny slides are an easy look that anyone can pull off without much effort. A simple pair of shiny black slides will draw attention to your toes, and add detail and interest to any outfit.
- Try wearing shiny black slides with cropped denim.
- You can also wear shiny slides with a skirt, sundress, or long shorts.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Keeping Your Feet Comfortable in Slides

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Groom your feet before you wear slides. Wearing slides means you will be exposing your toes and feet. Before sliding into these sandals, make sure your toenails are trimmed and clean. You should also treat any toenail fungus or athlete’s foot before baring your toes in slides.^{[6]
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- Consider getting a pedicure before you wear slides.
- Try exfoliating your feet and painting your toenails at home if you’re not into professional pedicures.
2
Stick to summer as the season for slides. Unless you live in a warm climate, you should limit your slide season to summer. Wearing slides in other seasons can seem offbeat, and cooler temperatures mean you can risk freezing toes or even frostbite.
- You can get away with wearing slides in late spring if it’s a particularly warm day.
- If you live in a warm climate, feel free to wear slides year-round.
3
Prevent uncomfortable rubbing with leather conditioner or friction block. Slides can rub the sides of your feet, making them uncomfortable to wear. If left unattended, this friction can even cause blisters. While not every pair of slides will cause discomfort, it’s a good idea to take precautions.
- If you are wearing leather slides, use a small amount of leather conditioner on the upper of the slide before wearing. This will soften the leather, easing the friction caused by stiff shoes.
- Apply a friction block product to prevent rubbing. Make sure you reapply regularly according to package directions.
4
Choose a thick, molded foot bed for extra comfort. Slides can be a comfortable, casual footwear choice in the summer months. However, if you suffer from foot, leg, or back pain make sure you choose a pair of slides with a thick and cushioned footbed.^{[7]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What are some easy outfit ideas for slides?

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Hannah Park is a professional stylist and personal shopper with experience in e-comm styling, celebrity styling and personal styling. She runs an LA-based styling company, The Styling Agent, where she focuses on understanding each individual she works with, and crafting wardrobes according to their needs.

Hannah Park

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Get creative when you're making an outfit with your slides! Try wearing windbreaker pants or shorts with your slides for an 80s vibe. You can also wear slides with a simple top and printed shorts, a cute romper, or wide-legged culottes.