US actress Kristen Stewart poses during a photocall for the film "Full Phil" at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 16, 2026. Getty Images/Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images
Kristen Stewart has once again shown why her unconventional fashion choices are often worth the risk.
The actress stepped out in New York City on August 10 wearing a sleek black leather Alex Perry dress with casual Adidas Sambas for an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
The combination offered a convincing example of the "wrong-shoe theory," a styling approach built around finishing an outfit with footwear that appears unexpected or deliberately mismatched. Rather than choosing traditional pumps or strappy sandals, Stewart disrupted the polished leather dress with a pair of low-profile sneakers.
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Alex Perry Leather Meets Adidas Samba Deco SPZL
Stewart's dress came from Australian designer Alex Perry's Pre-Fall 2026 collection, according to WWD. Known as the "Bikini" dress, the design is made from soft black leather and features a plunging V-neckline, thin rouleau straps and a fitted silhouette through the hips.
Its midi-length skirt balanced the revealing neckline, creating a minimalist look that aligned with Stewart's signature alternative style.
She paired the dress with Adidas Samba Deco SPZL sneakers in Core Black and Lucid Lime. The shoes feature a black suede base with vivid green accents along the stripes and heel tab. Black socks helped connect the sneakers visually to the dress.
Stewart completed the look with a silver chain necklace, while her textured pixie cut added to the outfit's relaxed, slightly rebellious finish.
Although the leather dress and sporty sneakers might appear mismatched on paper, their streamlined silhouettes gave the combination a sense of cohesion. The black foundation also allowed the sneakers' lime-green detailing to provide a controlled pop of color.
One Pair of Sneakers, Two Different Looks
Earlier that day, Stewart wore the same Sambas with a far more casual outfit consisting of black shorts, a graphic T-shirt and an oversized blazer.
She kept the sneakers when changing into the Alex Perry dress for The Tonight Show, allowing one pair of shoes to anchor two distinctly different looks.
The styling demonstrated a practical approach to day-to-night dressing. Instead of making the evening outfit more conventional with formal footwear, Stewart used the Sambas to preserve the relaxed attitude of her daytime look.
Why Kristen Stewart's Styling Choice Feels Current
Adidas Sambas have become a recurring part of Stewart's wardrobe, and their slim, low-profile shape makes them easier to pair with tailored clothing than bulkier athletic sneakers.
In this case, the shoes made the leather dress feel less formal and more personal. Their lime-green accents introduced just enough visual contrast without overwhelming the otherwise monochromatic outfit.
The look also reflects a broader move toward styling that values individuality and comfort over perfect coordination. Dresses are increasingly being worn with sneakers, loafers and other unexpected footwear as traditional distinctions between casual and formal clothing continue to soften.
Kristen Stewart Proves the 'Wrong' Shoe Can Be the Right Choice
Stewart's latest outfit makes a strong case for the continued appeal of the wrong-shoe theory.
By pairing an Alex Perry leather dress with Adidas Samba Deco SPZL sneakers, she replaced predictable evening footwear with something more relaxed. The result made the polished dress feel modern, practical and unmistakably her own.
Wearing the same sneakers with both her casual daytime outfit and evening look strengthened the styling statement: sometimes, the shoe that appears least likely to work is precisely what makes an outfit memorable.
