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
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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.
-25%
Maje
pleated sleeveless mini dress - women - Polyester - S - Blue
$229.00
$304.00
FARFETCH
Victoria Beckham
pleated silk dress - women - Silk - M - Green
$203.00
FARFETCH
-50%
Ganni
ruched ribbon-back dress - women - Organic Cotton - 48 - Pink
$148.00
$295.00
FARFETCH
-50%
Ganni
floral-print dress - women - Fabric - 42 - Neutrals
$198.00
$395.00
FARFETCH
-50%
Pinko
sleeveless midi dress with pleats and gathering - women - Cotton/Elastane - 44 - Blue
$191.00
$379.00
FARFETCH
-10%
Liu Jo
button-down pleated mini dress - women - Viscose/Polyamide/Elastane - S - Brown
$242.00
$269.00
FARFETCH
Alexis
lace shift dress - women - Cotton/Nylon/Rayon - S - Pink
$220.00
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!
A Gold E
Prcsn Denim Shorts - Blue
$129.16
Italist
-8%
Tribal
Audrey Soft Denim Pull On Bermuda Slit Edge Shorts In Black
$79.00
$86.00
ShopSimon
-10%
Olivaceous
Ashly Bermuda Shorts In Denim
$72.00
$80.00
ShopSimon
-25%
Free People
Montana Denim Mid Rise Bermuda Shorts in Lights Out at Nordstrom, Size 27
$58.50
$78.00
Nordstrom
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.
Camper
Casy Myra ballet flats - women - Calf Leather - 41 - Black
$175.00
FARFETCH
Pilcro
Aero Wide-Leg Cargo Pants Beige
$148.00
Anthropologie
Liu Jo
Flared Denim Jeans - Navy Blue
$229.56
Italist
-40%
A.L.C.
Oakley Cargo Shorts
$237.00
$395.00
Neiman Marcus
Haikure
Bethany Twill 45 Jeans - Black
$215.71
Italist
Ramy Brook
Kasey Belted Shorts White
$245.00
Neiman Marcus
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
$203.00
$226.00
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
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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!
-30%
Faithfull The Brand
floral-print short skirt - women - Elastane/Polyamide - 8 - Multicolour
$176.00
$252.00
FARFETCH
Crocs
(WMNS) Crocs Crush High Shine Clogs Black 209285-001
$187.92
KICKS CREW
-41%
Crocs
(WMNS) Crocs Furever Crush Shoes Dark Cherry 208446-6WD Purple
$114.84
$196.04
KICKS CREW
-9%
Crocs
(WMNS) Crocs Classic Crush Shimmer Pink 208602-6TY
$68.44
$75.40
KICKS CREW
-2%
Crocs
(WMNS) Crocs Crush Marbled Sandal 208235-2Y3
$63.80
$64.96
KICKS CREW
-6%
Crocs
(WMNS) Crocs Classic Crush Disco Clog Clear Bue 208121-0ZT Brown
$85.84
$91.64
KICKS CREW
-62%
Crocs
(WMNS) Crocs Classic Mega Crush Clog Barbie The Movie Electric Pink 209244-6QQ
$105.56
$280.72
KICKS CREW
6. Flip-flop sandals and tailored pants
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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.
-40%
Camperlab
Hastalavista sandals - women - Leather - 38 - Orange
$205.00
$340.00
FARFETCH
Just Cavalli
Cotton Mid-Waist Straight Trousers - Beige
$135.59
Italist
Alo
| High-Waist Pursuit Trouser (Long) in Gravel, Size: Large
$148.00
Alo Yoga
Just Cavalli
Low Waist Skinny Trousers - Cream White
$135.67
Italist
Alo
| High-Waist Sweatpant Trouser in Black, Size: Medium
$148.00
Alo Yoga
Sportmax
Holiday Trousers - Beige
$234.68
Italist
7 For All Mankind
Modern Dojo Trouser - White
$228.11
Italist
7. Denim shorts and heeled mules
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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.
-52%
Ksubi
longline distressed denim shorts - women - Cotton - 25 - Blue
$262.00
$541.00
FARFETCH
-67%
Cole Haan
Womens Go-To Emalia Slide Bow Sandals - Brown Size 10.5
$49.97
$150.00
Cole Haan
Veja
Volley Sneaker - White
$175.46
Italist
On
Cloud 6 Sneakers White
$160.00
Anthropologie
Dolce & Gabbana
Cotton-Elastane Dress Shirt - Blue
$219.79
Italist
Ganni
Green Cap in Washed Cotton Canvas
$140.00
GANNI
Veja
Volley Sneaker - White
$222.34
Italist
Tiramisu
Set of 4 Cheers To Love Cocktail Napkins
$29.99
Rue La La
8. A suit and a pair of clogs
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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.
Birkenstock
Boston Big Buckle Clogs Brown
$180.00
Anthropologie
-25%
Sorel
ROAMN RVT Clog in Crimson Fire/gum at Nordstrom, Size 5.5
$127.50
$170.00
Nordstrom
Cordani
Zorba Heels Brown
$225.00
Anthropologie
Free People
Calli Platform Clog in Black Leather at Nordstrom, Size 8.5
$228.00
Nordstrom
Kelsi Dagger
Glory Sligback Mules Beige
$175.00
Anthropologie
Candie's
Chillax Clog in Sand Suede at Nordstrom, Size 10 Beige
$129.95
Nordstrom
Cordani
Zorba Heels White
$225.00
Anthropologie
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.
-67%
Cole Haan
Womens Go-To Emalia Slide Bow Sandals - Brown Size 10.5
$49.97
$150.00
Cole Haan
Veja
Volley Sneaker - White
$175.46
Italist
On
Cloud 6 Sneakers White
$160.00
Anthropologie
Dolce & Gabbana
Cotton-Elastane Dress Shirt - Blue
$219.79
Italist
Ganni
Green Cap in Washed Cotton Canvas
$140.00
GANNI
Veja
Volley Sneaker - White
$222.34
Italist
Tiramisu
Set of 4 Cheers To Love Cocktail Napkins
$29.99
Rue La La
Dolce & Gabbana
Cotton-Elastane Dress Shirt - Black
$219.79
Italist
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.
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