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13 Simple Ways To Dress Up Your Plain Sneakers & High Heel Shoes Instantly

13 Simple Ways To Dress Up Your Plain Sneakers & High Heel Shoes Instantly

Fashion Footwear
By Rachel Yohannan on 15 Aug 2020
Senior Digital Editor
Crazy cat lady who loves afternoon tea, kawaii Japanese fashion, and all things Sanrio.

Plain shoes are in trend right now - especially plain white sneakers - and they’re well-loved for how easily they can match with anything. But sometimes, a little added pizzazz is welcome as completely patternless kicks can feel monotonous after a while.

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Whether you normally don sneakers or heels, here are 13 easy ways to dress up your plain shoes which don’t require any tricky DIY-ing or handiwork on your end.

P.S.: We’ve included some product suggestions as well, for which you can use our exclusive Shopee promo code to purchase:
【8% off Shopee min $25 spending with code: GIRLSTYLE8】
Capped at $2. From now till 30 Nov.

- Embellishments for your sneakers -

#1: Iron-on patches

iron on shoe patches SingaporePhoto from movingoon.sg via Shopee

If your shoes are made of fabric like canvas, use tiny iron-on patches to give them new life  with a retro flair. Not to worry if they’re of a different material, as you could always superglue the patches on.

iron on shoe patches SingaporePhoto from movingoon.sg via Shopee

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Check out these colourful iron-on patches ($1.40 to $1.80) in heart, flower, star, and animal designs. They come in sets of four to six, depending on design.

iron on shoe patches SingaporePhoto from movingoon.sg via Shopee

There are also daisy iron-on patches ($1.40) of various sizes in pastel shades like pink, blue, yellow, and white.

Get the colourful iron-on patches here and the daisy iron-on patches here.

#2: Dangling shoe charms

shoe charm SingaporePhoto from movingoon.sg via Shopee

Our bags and wallets can have keychains, so why not our shoes?

shoe charm SingaporePhoto from movingoon.sg via Shopee

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Get small dangling charms for your sneakers, such as the daisy shoe charms shown above. These cost $1.20 for one and $1.90 for two ($0.95 each), so you might as well get a pair.

Hello Kitty shoe charm SingaporePhoto from kicks_inc via Shopee

Sanrio fans would love these Hello Kitty shoe charms ($6.50). Simply thread the metal loop of the charm through the shoelace eyelets to attach.

Get the daisy shoe charms here and the Hello Kitty shoe charms here.

#3: Shoelace charms

Shoelace charm SingaporePhoto from hfqizhan.sg via Shopee

If you think dangling shoe charms might be cumbersome and distracting, opt for shoelace charms instead. 

Shoelace charm SingaporePhoto from hfqizhan.sg via Shopee

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Thread these colourful flower shoelace charms ($1.04) through your laces to instantly brighten up your kicks with a hint of 90’s nostalgia.

Shoelace charm SingaporePhoto from movingoon.sg via Shopee

For something more subtle, go for these metal bar charms with pictures of flowers on them. We especially love the sakura ones!

movingoon.sg via ShopeePhoto from movingoon.sg via Shopee

These start from $1.20 for one, and $2.10 for two.

Get the colourful flower shoelace charms here and the floral metal bar charms here.

- Add-ons for high heels -

#4: High heel elastic bands

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High heel elastic band pearl SingaporePhoto from Alibaba

Slip a high heel elastic band over your plain pumps and you’ll not only beautify them, you’ll also make them more secure and won’t have to worry about them falling off your feet even if you’re a kluz.

These pearl-embellished shoe bands ($2.27) are simple and elegant, making them perfect for work.

Get it here.

#5: Clip-on heel charms

clip on high heel rhinestone charm SingaporePhoto from raiseing.sg via Shopee

Bling up your heels or flats as and when you like with clip-on charms. These diamante shoe clips ($4.03) are great for days you’re feeling fancy - or even for your wedding!

high heel shoe clip bow ribbon SingaporePhoto from mocho.sg via Shopee

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These bow-shaped shoe clips ($2.16) will add a sweet, kawaii touch to any pair of shoes and are available in apricot, black, navy blue, and wine red.

high heel shoe clip bow ribbon SingaporePhoto from mocho.sg via Shopee

Get the rhinestone shoe clips here and the ribbon shoe clips here.

#6: Detachable high heel buckles

high heel shoe detachable buckle strap SingaporePhoto from ethereal.sg via Shopee

If you’d rather not have elastic bands stretched over your feet, detachable high heel buckles that go around your ankles are a good alternative.

high heel shoe detachable buckle strap SingaporePhoto from ethereal.sg via Shopee

These ankle buckle straps ($2.21-$2.27) come in 8 different colours to suit your wardrobe, including red, black, silver, and clear.

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Get them here.

- Special shoelaces -

#7: Ribbon laces

organza ribbon shoelace SingaporePhoto from xinzhan.sg via Shopee

Using ribbon shoelaces instead of standard ones will instantly make your sneakers look more feminine. You can use normal ribbons for this, but your best best would still be to get ribbon laces with plastic tips to avoid fraying.

The organza ribbon shoelaces ($0.99) above will give regular sneakers a more romantic vibe and make them more wearable with skirts and dresses. There are 12 colours including purple, green, and red.

plaid gingham ribbon shoelace SingaporePhoto from joja02s.sg via Shopee

These gingham ribbon shoelaces (from $3.45) bring with them a spot of quirky fun and also come in a multitude of colours.

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Get the organza ribbon laces here and the gingham ribbon laces here.

#8: LED shoelaces that light up

LED light up glow in the dark shoelace SingaporePhoto from smilebaby888.sg via Shopee

Night owls will love these LED shoelaces (from $3.21) which literally light up your path as you strut along. Get them in single hues, or with five or seven colours combined.

LED light up glow in the dark shoelace SingaporePhoto from smilebaby888.sg via Shopee

Wear these in the club and your friends will never lose sight of you amidst the crowd!

Get them here.

#9: Funky patterned laces

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Pikachu pokemon shoelace SingaporePhoto from sixxc.sg via Shopee

Patterned shoelaces will give your kicks additional cute factor. Pokemon lovers will delight in these adorable Pikachu laces (from $12) that’ll go great with a pair of sunny yellow shoes.

Floral daisy shoelace SingaporePhoto from movingoon.sg via Shopee

For something more feminine, try these floral shoelaces ($1.70) which come in pale pink and light blue.

Get the Pikachu shoelaces here and the floral shoelaces here.

- Get creative with socks -

#10: Floral mesh socks

Floral mesh socks SingaporePhoto from lidu1.sg via Shopee.sg

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Look extra graceful when you ditch your standard cotton socks for floral mesh. These floral mesh socks ($3.28) are a charming pick.

Floral daisy mesh socks SingaporePhoto from wu929_551118.sg via Shopee

Alternatively go for these daisy mesh socks ($1.76), with your choice of seven different colours for the cuff and heel portions.

Get the floral mesh socks here and the daisy mesh socks here.

#11: Short fishnet socks

Fishnet socks SingaporePhoto from peony.sg via Shopee

Fishnets don’t always have to look risque. Get a pair of short fishnet socks and they’ll give your sneakers a punk rock edge. These fishnet socks ($1.44) come adorned with a bow at the back for that mix of femininity and badassery. 

Fishnet socks SingaporePhoto from peony.sg via Shopee

Pick from four bow colours: Black, grey, green, and wine red.

Get them here.

#12: Frilly socks

Frilly socks SingaporePhoto from expen.sg via Shopee

Remember the frilly socks you wore as a child? Well, they’ve made a comeback and will pair beautifully with oxfords and mary janes. Apart from lace trim, these frilly socks ($1.62) also come adorned with a simple black bow.

Pick from classic white or other shades like pink and khaki.

Get them here.

#13: Funky patterned socks

Heart socks SingaporePhoto from huishu.sg via Shopee

When it comes to patterned socks, the options are almost endless. If you’re afraid of them looking too comical, get a pair with a single motif instead of those with prints covering the entire thing. These understated heart socks ($1.50 to $1.62) will do the trick.

Food print socks SingaporePhoto from fenggou.sg via Shopee

Foodies will love these food print socks ($1.69) featuring all our favourite treats like burgers, pizza, and fries.

Get the heart socks here and the foodie socks here.

Before you cart out, make sure you enter our exclusive Shopee promo code:
【8% off Shopee min $25 spending,  with code: GIRLSTYLE8】
Capped at $2. From now till 30 NOV.

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Text by: GirlStyle SG