The “Wrong Shoe Theory” is the easiest styling trick to spice up your outfit
If you’ve been on the Internet recently, you might’ve heard something about the so-called “Wrong Shoe Theory”. But what is it? And how can it help you improve your style?
Coined by stylist and wardrobe consultant Allison Bornstein, the “wrong shoe theory” is actually quite straightforward: the styling hack consists in finishing off an outfit that feels boring or monotonous with the “wrong” shoe, aka the one that seems to go “against” the rest of the look. The result? A perfectly imperfect look full of personality.
In regards to her groundbreaking discovery, Bornstein told Vogue: “In working with clients and breaking down the style of our favourite celebrities, I realised what makes a look feel interesting and personal is the addition of accessories that feel slightly ‘off’ or mismatched with the vibe of the rest of the look.” And she couldn’t be more right.
Tibi’s Creative Director Amy Smilovich champions a similar idea in the intro to her column The Good Ick: “All things good, stylistically speaking, have that push/pull.” Both Smilovic and Bornstein are talking about the same thing: how to achieve that good friction between the elements of your day-to-day looks.
But, as we all know, an image is worth a thousand words, and learning how to implement the wrong shoe theory in your wardrobe is much easier when you have a visual reference. So, without further ado, here are ten wrong shoe outfits done right, and all the tips you need to recreate them.
1. A feminine dress with dad sneakers
Getty Images
Amy Smilovich talks about achieving a push/pull effect in terms of style, and that’s exactly what supermodel Vittoria Ceretti (right) is doing here. She paired a pleated mini dress with an oversized bomber, a leather handbag, scrunched up white socks, and black Adidas Samba sneakers. In this look, the push/pull effect created by the dress vs. the shoes (and the bomber vs. the handbag) is actually double: masculine/feminine and high/low fashion.
-24%
Love Moschino
heart-detail pleated dress - women - Cotton - 40 - Black
$106.00
$140.00
FARFETCH
-24%
Maje
pleated sleeveless mini dress - women - Polyester - S - Blue
$130.00
$172.00
FARFETCH
-25%
Sandro
Milene mini dress - women - Viscose - 40 - Black
$167.00
$222.00
FARFETCH
-56%
Maison Kitsuné
Abstract Daisy-print mini dress - women - Viscose - 34 - Blue
$233.00
$528.00
FARFETCH
-39%
J.Lindeberg
Helga tennis minidress - women - Polyester - S - Blue
$106.00
$174.00
FARFETCH
Victoria Beckham
pleated silk dress - women - Silk - M - Green
$250.00
FARFETCH
-50%
Twin-Set
Oval T chain mini dress - women - Polyester/Polyester/Spandex/Elastane - 38 - Black
$190.00
$382.00
FARFETCH
-13%
Ganni
pleated puff-sleeve mini dress - women - Fabric - 42 - Black
$245.00
$283.00
FARFETCH
If you’re looking for a way to how to style your cowboy boots, wrong shoe theory is the answer! Cowboy boots with baggy, ripped bermuda shorts is definitely so-bad-it’s-good territory, and we suggest you embrace it. If you’re feeling especially bold, try pairing your calf boots with sweat or biker shorts instead of denim shorts. I promise, in this case two wrongs do make a right!
-40%
Diesel
De-Sire Bermuda shorts in dark denim Gray
$108.47
$180.78
TheDoubleF
-55%
Free People
Montana Denim Bermuda Shorts in Everything Floral at Nordstrom, Size 25
$57.59
$128.00
Nordstrom
-40%
Haikure
Wide Belle black denim bermuda
$133.50
$222.49
TheDoubleF
-62%
PTCL
Mia High Waist Denim Bermuda Shorts in Black Wash at Nordstrom, Size 25
$10.97
$29.00
Nordstrom
-40%
AG - Adriano Goldschmied
Thalia mid-rise denim Bermuda shorts Blue
$153.00
$255.00
Mytheresa
Lee
Slouch Denim Bermuda Shorts in Dark Memory at Nordstrom, Size 31
$88.00
Nordstrom
-40%
Coperni
Denim Bermuda shorts Blue
$216.00
$360.00
Mytheresa
Ballet flats are back and more popular than ever—but that doesn’t mean we have to style them like we did in 2008. Try playing with proportions, and pair your ballet flats with the baggiest, most boy-ish pants you own (jeans, cargos, slacks, even sweats!): you’ll have a look that’s both edgy and chic.
-32%
Camper
Casi Myra 15mm ballerina shoes - women - Leather - 37 - Black
$160.00
$236.00
FARFETCH
Carhartt Work in Progress
Jens Pant in Silver Pine Green
$110.32
TheDoubleF
-60%
Levi's
Women s XL Straight Seamed Jeans Blue
$73.00
$182.00
Slam Jam
-50%
NYDJ
Nydj Utility Mocha Straight Leg Jean
$49.99
$99.00
Rue La La
-55%
Our Legacy
Women s Trade Trousers Ash Black
$220.00
$488.00
Slam Jam
-65%
The Garment
Mille grey over trousers Gray
$111.94
$319.84
TheDoubleF
-45%
Nike
JACQUEMUS Asymmetrical Pants Cacao Wow Brown
$125.00
$228.00
Slam Jam
Wrong shoe theory is all about the good tension, and good tension can be created by pairing “high” and “low” elements to create a striking outfit. Here, we’re paying the most casual item of all—the tracksuit—with shoes that are generally considered dressy and elegant, like heeled ballet pumps or kitten heels. Add a pair of rhinestoned sunglasses and a stretchy headband and you’ve got yourself the perfect Y2K look.
-10%
Daily Paper Clothing
Lex tie-dye cotton track pants - women - Cotton - L - Orange
$206.00
$229.00
FARFETCH
Ganni
Pink Soft Bow Slingback Heels
$395.00
Ssense
Studio Amelia
Red Entwined 70 Heeled Sandals
$425.00
Ssense
Amy Crookes
Green & Black Mimi Heeled Sandals
$635.00
Ssense
Ganni
Orange Soft Bow Heels
$395.00
Ssense
5. A skirt and platform Crocs
Getty Images
Is it just me, or are platform Crocs kind of cool? In recent years, the plastic clog brand has come out with a number of new platform models, from the iconic mule to sandals. If you value comfort above all, jump on the platform Crocs train and style them with a sleek maxi skirt and a blazer. Instantly cool!
-29%
Faithfull The Brand
floral-print short skirt - women - Elastane/Polyamide - 10 - Multicolour
$189.00
$268.00
FARFETCH
-48%
Crocs
Mega Crush Clog Shoes Bone : Mens 5 - Womens 7 Medium, EVA White
$41.32
$79.95
Zappos
-40%
Crocs
Women s Classic Crush Boots Black
$59.00
$99.00
Slam Jam
Balenciaga
Crush Croc-Embossed Small Shoulder Bag Black
$2,790.00
Bergdorf Goodman
-35%
Crocs
Women s Mega Crush Clogs Juice Pink
$66.00
$102.00
Slam Jam
6. Flip-flop sandals and tailored pants
Getty Images
Flip-flops and tailored pants are shaping up to be a big trend this year, with celebrities like Elle Fanning and Zoë Kravitz sporting the look. The juxtaposition of the quintessential chill shoe and the slouchy tailored pants makes for an effortless yet sophisticated look.
-49%
Camperlab
Hastalavista sandals - women - Leather - 40 - Orange
$172.00
$340.00
FARFETCH
-71%
Vince
Mid Rise Cropped Linen-Blend Flare Trouser Black
$100.00
$348.00
Rue La La
-56%
Vince
High Waist Rib Trim Trouser
$189.99
$428.00
Rue La La
7. Denim shorts and heeled mules
Getty Images
Styling shorts in a way that makes you feel both grown-up and put-together is not an easy feat. The best trick to make denim shorts work is to elevate them with the right choice of shoes and tops. Berlin-based content creator Tina Haase turned her shorts from summer camp vibes to city chic by styling them with a romantic tube top, an oversized blazer, a flower choker, and heeled mules.
-50%
Ksubi
longline distressed denim shorts - women - Cotton - 25 - Blue
$281.00
$558.00
FARFETCH
-30%
adidas
Handball Spezial Made in Germany Sneakers Preloved Ink / Off White Multi
$175.00
$250.00
Slam Jam
Treasure & Bond
Melange Knit Scarf in Burgundy at Nordstrom Red
$45.00
Nordstrom
-30%
Asics
GEL-Nimbus 10.1 Sneakers Piedmont Grey / Graphite Grey Multi
$155.00
$222.00
Slam Jam
On
Cloud 6 Sneakers White
$160.00
Anthropologie
Elwood
Petrol Canvas Jacket in Khaki at Nordstrom, Size Xx-Large Brown
$165.00
Nordstrom
-39%
Cole Haan
Mens Coated Cotton Rain Jacket - Beige Size XXL Brown
$119.95
$198.00
Cole Haan
8. A suit and a pair of clogs
Getty Images
On the other hand, a tailored suit often feels too grown-up, and a little stuffy. To make your suit less business and more casual, try pairing it with a pair of clogs for that good high/low tension that makes an outfit immediately unique.
Børn
Elliot Clog in Tan Leather at Nordstrom, Size 10 Brown
$125.00
Nordstrom
UGG
New Heights UGGplush Lined Clog in Che at Nordstrom Rack, Size 12 Brown
$69.97
Nordstrom Rack
Candie's
Nichola Platform Clog in Green at Nordstrom, Size 8
$179.95
Nordstrom
-54%
Ganni
Mules & Clogs Black
$177.00
$384.00
Yoox.com
UGG
New Heights Clog in San at Nordstrom Rack, Size 12 Beige
$59.97
Nordstrom Rack
-40%
Candie's
Blaze Platform Clog in Black at Nordstrom, Size 10
$89.99
$149.95
Nordstrom
Is your social media feed full of influencers wearing Salomon and ASICS shoes? For that you have to blame gorpcore, one of the biggest trends of the year. Gorpcore embraces utilitarian and sportswear pieces—from trekking shoes, to running sunglasses, to Goretex windbreakers—and turns them into fashionable and trendy items.
But if camping-chic isn’t for you, here’s another, more romantic way to style your gorpcore shoes: pair them with a tulle skirt, colour-block stockings, and an oversized graphic top.
-30%
adidas
Handball Spezial Made in Germany Sneakers Preloved Ink / Off White Multi
$175.00
$250.00
Slam Jam
Treasure & Bond
Melange Knit Scarf in Burgundy at Nordstrom Red
$45.00
Nordstrom
-30%
Asics
GEL-Nimbus 10.1 Sneakers Piedmont Grey / Graphite Grey Multi
$155.00
$222.00
Slam Jam
On
Cloud 6 Sneakers White
$160.00
Anthropologie
Elwood
Petrol Canvas Jacket in Khaki at Nordstrom, Size Xx-Large Brown
$165.00
Nordstrom
-39%
Cole Haan
Mens Coated Cotton Rain Jacket - Beige Size XXL Brown
$119.95
$198.00
Cole Haan
When Solange does something, we can’t do anything but take notes! For her LA loft feature in Apartamento Magazine, the star wore a rugby shirt, sweat shorts, and the ubiquitous Miu Miu ballet flats.
Sports jerseys and ballet flats are two of the biggest trends right now, and when styled together they lead to super cool combinations: style them with a pair of mini shorts and you’ve got yourself an it-girl-worthy daytime look.
-29%
Nike
Men s Total 90 Dri-FIT Soccer Jersey Gym Red / Midnight Navy Multi
$60.00
$85.00
Slam Jam
-29%
Nike
Men s Total 90 Dri-FIT Soccer Jersey Black / Light Graphite
$55.00
$78.00
Slam Jam
-29%
Nike
Men s Total 90 Dri-FIT Soccer Jersey Black / Green Spark
$60.00
$85.00
Slam Jam
-29%
Nike
Men s Total 90 Dri-FIT Soccer Jersey Sail / Black Multi
$55.00
$78.00
Slam Jam
