This Is *the* Pretty Dress Trend to Wear With Flats If You Want to Get Compliments This Summer

Regardless of the trend cycle, certain summer outfit combinations will never cease to exist—and one of those is midi dresses with flat shoes. It’s a universally loved pairing, no matter where you are in the world—including the South of France, where the always chic Diane Kruger was just spotted.
Kruger was photographed walking in Cannes, where she’s attending the most glamorous of film festivals. And yes, she wore a midi dress and flat shoes for the occasion. The shoes were elegant, pointed-toe flats, and the dress represented one of the biggest trends of the season, carrying over from last summer: princess-waist dresses. This style features a fitted bodice, a subtle V-waist, and a gathered skirt. What ballerinas and princesses wear comes to mind, but today’s princess-waist dresses are decidedly modern—and you can style them to feel even more contemporary, just as Kruger did.
She opted for a sleeveless white poplin midi dress paired with pointed-toe ballet flats and a supple leather bag. The combination is simple, pretty, and elegant—so much so that anyone who wears it this summer is bound to be bombarded with compliments. Keep scrolling to shop the dress trend and join them.
On Diane Kruger: Tod’s T Timeless Shopping Bag ($2495)
Shop Princess-Waist Dresses

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater arts. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.
-
I'm Not a Fan of Showing My Arms—40 Incredibly Chic Summer Finds That Keep Them Covered
One less thing to think about.
-
7 Summer Basics You Can Wear All Season Without Getting Bored
Elevated closet staples.
-
J.Crew Is Having a Major Sale RN—Here Are 29 Pieces I Immediately Added to My Cart
Up to 50% off.
-
Fashion People in NYC Are All About These 2 Chic, Timeless Prints RN
Playful prints are in.
-
People With Cool Style Are All Wearing These 11 Dress Trends This Summer
And it's hard to pick a favorite.
-
Shopbop Has So Many New Discounted Gems—I'm Losing It Over These 27 Sale Finds
Summer standouts at up to 70% off.
-
8 Pieces That Are the Secret Sauce to an Incredibly Chic Summer Outfit Rotation
Getting ready just got so much easier.
-
The 2025 Dress Trend I'm Copying From the Olsen Twins to Look Wealthy This Summer
Per usual, they were way ahead of their time.