When it comes to picking out an outfit, your shoes are essential for completing your look. Your shoes (and even not wearing shoes in some cases) make a statement. New footwear trends are always on the horizon, and today I am breaking down my top five favorite kinds of shoes to go with any outfit. Let’s dive right into how I style fashion-forward footwear into everyday looks!

Sneakers

There are so many trendy and fashionable options in the comfort footwear department of fashion right now! (Did someone say #athliesure!?) Pairing solid-colored sneakers with every style is super in. Whether you’re wearing jeans or dresses, sneakers are the perfect addition to any outfit. They are also probably the easiest go-to shoe for most dancers outside of the studio! Every dancer should own a pair of sneakers with good arch support! It doesn’t matter if you’re standing on pointe all night in rehearsals, pirouetting through endless turn combinations, or tapping the day away. We are always on our feet! It is beneficial to the longevity of our dance careers to protect the instruments we use every day to create art… our feet!

A Go-To Sneaker Look

  • Royal Couture Rainbow Velvet Leotard
  • Denim Flare Jeans
  • Hair Clips
  • White Fila Sneakers

Heels

As dancers, it is fun to have at least one pair of fancy shoes to add to elegant outfits worn outside the studio! If your dress code is dressed up, adding your favorite heels to finish off your look can make all the difference. New to heels? Don’t worry. Using good posture and engaging your core can help you keep balance in heels no matter where you’re strutting your stuff! You have a dancer’s balance! Heels are no match for your talent.

“Give a girl the right pair of shoes and she can conquer the world!” – Marilyn Monroe

A Go-To Heels Look

Boots

From knee-high and midrise to combat and ankle boots, these shoes will definitely earn you some extra style points. You can tuck jeans or pants into your boots for a classic subtle look or pick bright colored booties that bring the focal point of your outfit to your footwear. Pair your boots with dresses and skirts for some added flair! There are boots for every mood and style from preppy to edgy, mature to casual.

A Go-To Boots Look

  • Royal Couture Green Velvet Leotard
  • Leather Skirt
  • Black Hat
  • Green Velvet Booties

Sandals

Slides, strappy sandals, or 90s minimalistic sandals–there are so many cute and on-trend ways to wear this style of shoe! Prints and textures are super in right now, but so are staple colors that go with everything. Though not all types of sandals may have enough foot support for everyday wear, it is still an easy and breathable shoe that is perfect for airing out your feet after a long day of being stuffed in dance shoes. Some days your toes just need a break and some fresh air!

“To wear dreams on one’s feet is to begin to give reality to one’s dreams.” – ROger Vivier

A Go-To Sandals Look

Dance Shoes

These are, of course, my favorite. We all have them. We all LOVE them. (They’re essential!) Pointe shoes, half-soles, tap shoes, ballroom heels, ballet slippers, or jazz shoes–each style of dance has its own unique shoe that we can use as a tool in class to better ourselves and achieve our best performance! That means there are also a ton of unique shoes to style into looks that are exclusively dancer-chic.

“Cinderella is proof that a pair of shoes can change your life!”

A Go-To Dance Shoes Look

  • Showstopper Sweatshirt
  • French Twist
  • Pointe Shoes

What’s your favorite pair of shoes? How do you style them into iconic outfits? Tag me (@royalcouturexo) and Showstopper (@goshowstopper) on social media with the hashtag #RoyalCoutureXShowstopper so we can obsess over the perfect footwear together.

Xo,
Christy Lyn

P.S. Get the look! All of the leotards pictured above are from my dancewear line, Royal Couture! If you want to shop these crushed velvet looks for your own dance wardrobe, check out RoyalCoutureXO.com! And stay tuned for new colorful velvet releases coming very soon!

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Christy Lyn is a ballerina, model, designer, and choreographer. She started dancing at a very young age and currently choreographs and trains in multiple styles of dance with a focus in ballet. Her choreography work has debuted at the Lincoln Center in the Youth America Grand Prix Gala, “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow.” Christy walks and dances in fashion shows for national and international designers at LAFW and NYFW. She is also the unstoppable designer and founder of the chic dance fashion brand Royal Couture.