Four ways to style the sneaker-dress combo this summer

From office days to slow, Saturday market mornings.

Despite what Carrie Bradshaw led us to believe, a dress paired with the right pair of sneakers can be incredibly chic. Not only is it significantly more comfortable than a pair of stilettos, it also brings otherwise formal pieces into your everyday wardrobe. As Sydney designer Katie Mildren explains, a dress-and-sneakers combo is “the perfect contradiction.”

The founder of made-to-order label Katharina Lou, Katie is known for her signature plaid pieces, clashing prints and maximalist aesthetic. Launching as a one-woman show in 2020, the brand has now expanded to a small team that operates out of Katie’s family home-turned-Katharina Lou headquarters.

For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.

For Katie, running her own label means almost never sitting still, which is why her default uniform has become a Katharina Lou dress paired with the new ASICS SportStyle GEL-CUMULUS 16 in partnership with Finesse, one of Australia’s leading female sneaker boutiques, the GEL-CUMULUS™ 16 features ASICS’ iconic retro silhouette, reimagined in soft hues of petal pink and sand.

Finesse, much like Katie’s own brand, puts women at the centre of its story, curating sneakers through a considered, female-led perspective alongside ASICS SportStyle.

“I love the drawstring toggle detail, it gives that extra sporty edge,” says Katie. “They’re lightweight but still feel supportive, which makes them my go-to for my days running the brand, from the design room to packing orders and everything in between.

“Katharina Lou is all about confident femininity with a twist; playful, bold and a little unexpected. The sporty-sweet mix that I feel with these sneakers and a dress totally fits that energy.”

Look one: In the office

For an overcast day spent in her Sydney office, Katie chose her Annabel Maxi in dusty rose plaid. “It perfectly matched the soft pink tones of my GEL-CUMULUS 16s,” she says. “I love mixing prints, textures, and unexpected pairings – just like a sneaker and dress combo! I paired this look with my big chunky pink sunnies and a vintage pink leopard bag for a fun clash of prints.”

Look two: Dress-up Friday

For ‘dress up Friday’ (the Katharina Lou take on ‘casual Friday’), Katie wore her plaid Annabell Mini styled with a pink Balenciaga City Bag, her GEL-CUMULUS 16s and some chunky jewels. As any independent designer would know, running your own label can be physically demanding work. “It felt fun and appropriate, while still practical for being on my feet all day.”

Look three: Drinks with the girls

For after-work drinks, Katie styled her voluminous Muse Maxi and a matching crop top with her sneakers for some extra drama. “I love how the sporty feel of the GEL-CUMULUS 16s balances out the feminine shape of the skirt,” she says.

Look four: Saturday morning markets

For a slow Saturday morning spent at the markets, Katie wore a purple dress from one of her first Katharina Lou collections, chunky socks, sneakers, and a contrasting green Poppy Lissiman tote. “I’m a ‘more is more’ kind of girl, so I always add pops of colour or a fun accessory to tie it all together,” she says.

Shop the new ASICS SportStyle GEL-CUMULUS 16s, exclusively through Finesse from November 7 and online at ASICS.com/au and select retailers on November 14.