Slides have become a trendy sandal option over the last decade, evolving from their roots as an athletic shoe. Slides are perfect for several settings, from an athleisure look that keeps you looking put together when running errands to formal settings as a unique way to tie together an outfit.
Styling slides properly can seem tricky at first glance, especially regarding formal wear, but it does not have to be! Slides are highly versatile, as you can pair them with or without socks, use them as a quick slip-on for the beach, or even rock them as a statement piece to tie together a jumpsuit or nighttime outfit.
In this guide, we will look in-depth at how to style slides to help you make the most of them. We’ll explore the different types of slides and how they fit your wardrobe, along with a few tricks that can help you rock them with confidence. We’ll cover everything you need to know, but first things first - you need to choose the right slides in the first place…
Styling Slides for Men and Women Alike Starts With Choosing the Right Ones…
Slide sandals are the pinnacle of comfort and aesthetic appeal, but your choice of slides can help make or break your outfits. There are several viable options available that can fit the needs of your wardrobe.
The straps on slides can also be customized with logos and designs. You can even find slides with detachable straps that allow you to swap designs on a whim, providing excellent value for your investment.
With so many types of slides out there, finding a pair that can work with many different outfits in your wardrobe is easy. Let’s begin by discussing the different types of slides below to provide you with some wardrobe inspiration.
Different Types of Slides
Modern slide sandals originated as nifty equipment to help athletes keep their feet protected in the locker room. Slides have diversified in the years since, and today you can find several different types of slides for any aesthetic preference.
You can recognize slides by their wide strap that fits over the top of the foot, but variations in materials and design can set apart the different styles.
Polyurethane is a rising star in the world of slide sandals, as the material is famous for its strength, durability, and water resistance. Polyurethane is also a versatile material that shares traits with both rubber and leather-based slides.
Rubber and leather also can be found in several slide sandals on the market. Rubber slides are perfect for casual wear and beach days, while leather slides strike a balance between casual and dressy which makes them a versatile choice for your wardrobe. Slide sandals can also come with fur atop their strap, providing a quirky look reminiscent of house slippers.
Slides are also becoming a staple in high fashion, with major brands like Gucci, Marc Jacobs, and Dolce & Gabbana all throwing their hat into the slides ring in recent years. Today, it is incredibly common to see a fresh pair of slides combined with a logo or design, and customizable slides are an excellent way to express yourself.
Bring Your Own Custom Slides to Life at Deco Slides
Figuring out how to style your slides becomes even more enjoyable with a fantastic pair of custom slide sandals. Whether you have a fabulous pattern in mind that you just can’t seem to find while out shopping, or you want custom slides in bulk to distribute at an upcoming event, custom slides can help you express yourself aesthetically.
Deco Slides is here to help you design the custom slides you have been dreaming of. We design and manufacture 100% polyurethane slides, bringing you the toughest materials on the market, paired with our intricate design process. Our slides also come with detachable straps, allowing you to mix and match your slide sandals to fit the needs of your daily outfits.
Getting started with our design tool is extremely simple, and once your order is sent, we offer the fastest turnaround times in the business.
With such a short turnaround time, you will want to thoroughly understand how to style slides to match your new kicks with your wardrobe, so let’s get into what brought you here today with some tips on styling slides.
How to Style Slides Casually: Tips & Outfit Inspiration
Slides are famous for their ability to tie a casual outfit together. With so many options on the market, finding a pair of slides that matches your personal style is easy.
Learning how to style slides and socks can provide you with extra versatility and allows for bold looks with flashy patterned socks. Beach and pool days are also perfect for slides, as you can pop them on and off quickly, saving time spent messing with shoelaces.
Thanks to their roots in athletic wear, slides are also perfect for getting you to and from the gym or another sports facility. Slides are the ideal shoe for slipping something on or off in a moment, and they pair well with nearly any casual outfit.
One of the most common questions when it comes to styling slides is whether or not socks fit most outfits. Here’s our thoughts on the matter…
Socks or No Socks?
Learning how to style slides and socks grants you extra options for your wardrobe, but ultimately the choice comes down to personal preference.
Socks can be an excellent pairing with slides in colder weather, allowing you to enjoy the casual nature of slides without freezing your feet. Slides can also be paired with socks as part of an athleisure outfit, as they can save you time from needing to put on a fresh pair of socks when switching into cleats or sneakers.
Slides will be your new best friend if your wardrobe is full of unique colorful socks! It is easy to learn how to style slides and socks if you are doing so with a fun wardrobe of conversation-starter socks that express your personal style, so feel free to express yourself.
Beach and Poolside Looks
Whether you are on vacation or winding down from a busy day of chores, slides are a fantastic pairing for all of your beach and poolside looks. Slides can help bolster a poolside outfit, serving as a nice piece to tie together swimwear or casual summer clothing.
Slides also provide excellent utility, as you can slip them on and off immediately, letting you spend more time relaxing in the water. Plus, slides made with materials like polyurethane even provide water resistance, preventing you from slipping while walking on wet surfaces.
Everyday Casual Wear: Lounging, Running Errands, and More
The right outfit can breathe life into your daily routines, helping you look stylish and put together. If you are spending more time thinking about what to wear while completing tasks on your to-do list instead of doing those errands, slides are here to help.
Slides are the perfect shoe for daily wear, offering comfort that won’t cause a fashion faux pas.
T-shirts and tank tops paired with a nice pair of shorts are a great casual look that benefits from a nice pair of slides. You can also pair slides with jeans and casual tops, helping you maintain style during your grocery trips and appointments while remaining casual.
Whether your personal style is beachy, laid back, or athletic, quickly throwing on a pair of slides before beginning your errands can compliment any casual outfit.
Athleisure: One Of Our Favorite Ways to Wear Slides
When styling slides for men or women, you can never go wrong with the classics. Slides are historically athletic wear, and today’s slides still fit perfectly within an athleisure aesthetic. Leggings and joggers are an excellent fit to pair with slides, especially when traveling to or from the gym.
Athleisure does an excellent job keeping you comfortable while remaining a stylish casual option. Sporty tank tops, athletic jackets, and gym bags can be perfectly tied together with a pair of slides.
Additionally, slides do a fantastic job of saving you time and energy, especially when you need to swap into sportswear like cleats and sneakers, allowing you to keep your sports shoes fresh for game time.
Athleisure isn’t just for the gym, as the style is versatile enough for many activities. You can start your day running errands in a tank top, sweatpants, and slides, then seamlessly transition to hanging out with friends or relaxing back home without even needing to switch up your outfit!
Slides are fantastic for athleisure and other casual looks, but can they work in formal settings? Let’s explore just how versatile of a tool slides can be when creating outfits.
How to Style Slides in More Formal Settings: Finding the Balance Between Casual & Professional
While slides may not be the perfect choice for an upcoming business presentation or a black-tie wedding, they are becoming a solid option for formal settings. While slides may seem tricky to style in formalwear outfits at first glance, we’ll provide some tips on how to do so.
Today, slides are a common sight on the red carpet and runways, with massive fashion brands like Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Marc Jacobs all releasing slides in recent years. Learning how to best style slides for formal settings is tricky, but with the right touch, you can easily incorporate them into a few professional settings.
Understand the Limitations of Slides in Formal Settings
Remember, slides won’t be a viable replacement for a nice pair of dress shoes or heels for significant events. They can require a lot of panache to work in formal settings, so be sure your outfit harmonizes well with your slides.
While it can be tempting to show off your fabulous slides in every setting, sometimes the safest option is the best one. And sometimes, that’s the more traditional formal footwear choice.
Although slides are unsuitable for black-tie events, the right pair can still work when piecing together a formal outfit. Be sure to opt for high-quality materials, like polyurethane or leather, rather than cheaper materials, like rubber or plastic, to maximize your slides' aesthetic appeal.
Tips for Dressing Slides Up
There are a few things to watch out for when styling slides for formal outfits. Err on the side of simpler designs, with neutral colors like black or white, to not distract from the rest of your outfit. Pairing your slides with the right outfit is crucial, so women would benefit from jumpsuits and maxi dresses, while men can benefit from dressy pants.
You can also accessorize the rest of your outfit with eye-catching jewelry or belts to raise the sophistication of your outfit. Balancing out the more casual nature of your slides with formal wear that goes beyond the dress code of any given event will allow you to find the perfect middle ground to tie your outfit together.
Wrapping Up Our Guide on Styling Slides For Men and Women Alike
The right pair of slides can be an absolute game-changer for your wardrobe, offering versatility and aesthetic potential. Finding the perfect style for your slides begins with the material you choose. Polyurethane slides usually provide the best mix of comfort and aesthetic value.
Slides are excellent in athleisure and casual beach outfits, allowing you to express your personality with unique logos and designs. Formal settings are also fit for slides, though you want to err on the side of being conservative, opting for less flashy slide designs to let the rest of your outfit shine.
Customizing your slides can support even more versatility in your wardrobe! At Deco Slides, we design and manufacture premium-quality polyurethane slides that are perfect for any aesthetic occasion. Our design tool is straightforward to use, and we also offer ultra-fast turnaround times to help upgrade your wardrobe as soon as possible.
Plus, our slides come with detachable straps that you can swap out as needed, allowing you to adjust the design of your slides to fit the dress code. With our slides, you can rock a tie-dye design for a beach day, then take the strap off and replace it with a more formal choice to prepare for dinner later that night without breaking a sweat!
If you are ready to build your own pair of custom slides, whether you want a single pair or a bulk order for your team or corporate event, check out our design tool here at Deco Slides today!