While last year was mostly dedicated to comfortable house shoes, we’re now seeing trendy summer shoes back on the market and back in the closets of fashion insiders. So if you’ve been craving some footwear newness like this editor has, there are plenty of cool styles to pay attention to. Curious to find out where my fellow editors stand on the best summer shoe trends this season, I asked them to weigh in about the styles sitting in their shopping carts as well as the silhouettes they’re passing on.
Ahead, they’re sharing the styles they’re retiring this season and the trendy summer shoes you’ll be seeing them dressed up in soon. From elevated takes on simple sandals to the fun heels they’re easing back into, there are so many cool styles to snap up for your best summer outfits yet. Shop all of our picks here, starting with my personal favorite shoe trend for summer.
Skipping: Sporty SandalsBuying: Raised Flatforms. While I love the practicality that sporty sandals deliver on, I prefer something a bit more polished, which is why I can’t get enough of the sleek, raised flatforms that are everywhere on the market right now.
Skipping: Thong SandalsBuying: Ruched Sandals. “This summer, I’m hitting pause on the thong-sandal trend that has made its rounds over the last few seasons, and instead, I’m living in ruched styles that feel a little more me.”
Skipping: Flat SandalsBuying: Kitten-Heel Sandals. “It’s not like I exactly need any more height, but I can’t resist heeled sandals. The majority of my sandal collection has a heel of some sort, but when I’m in for hours on my feet, I turn to my kitten heels. They still keep me feeling elevated, but at a very walkable height.”
Skipping: Tourist SandalsBuying: Cushy-Soled Sandals. “Comfy sandals will always have a place in my closet, but this summer, I’ll be skipping velcro ‘tourist’ sandals in lieu of a style that’s equally as walkable but more elevated: cushy-soled sandals. They feel like a natural evolution from sportier to sleeker silhouettes and happen to look really good with an airy summer dress.”
Skipping: Tricky ToesBuying: Flip-Flops. “I know that flip-flops are by no means a new shoe trend, but I’ve finally decided to take the dive and embrace the trend. As much as I love newer trends like tricky toes, the idea of reemerging in anything uncomfortable is too much to bear. Instead of opting for basic thong shoes, I’ll be looking for ones with platforms, kitten heels, and puffed-up straps to be a bit more trend-forward.”
Skipping: High HeelsBuying: Fisherman Sandals. “I’m still leaning into comfort this summer, so I’ll be skipping any high heels or stiletto-heel situations in favor of cool and fun fisherman sandals—a rising trend that works with everything from denim shorts to minidresses.”
