The best shoes for summer
From flip-flops to jelly sandals and mules, here are the summer shoe options to have in your wardrobe
Once the reserve of students with questionable fashion sense, backpackers and Australians, the humble flip-flop has undergone a high-fashion makeover and emerged as the unexpected shoe of the summer.
Believed to have originated in ancient Egypt 4,000 years ago, the earliest versions of flip-flops were made from papyrus and palm leaves. Although the materials might have changed — paper was swapped out for rubber — the design itself remains much the same as it did thousands of years ago. When archaeologists discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922, they found that he had been buried with more than 80 pairs of sandals, signalling them to have been important status markers.
In Islam, sandals hold cultural, historical, and spiritual significance. Wearing them is considered sunnah (tradition of the Prophet), as they reflect humility, humbleness and simplicity, as well as protecting feet hygienically.
The sandal has come a long way since the days of papyrus soles, with designer models retailing for thousands of pounds. Ever at the forefront of style, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s minimalist-luxury brand The Row has been pushing the flip-flop agenda since they debuted their flatform Ginza sandal in 2020. It girls Zoe Kravitz and Kendall Jenner have since been papped rocking flat and heeled styles respectively, and everyone else has now caught up, with social media awash with fashionable girls wearing them to dinner with no beach in sight.
On the Spring Summer 26 (SS26) runways, Chloé combined them with translucent PVC and a low kitten heel, Balenciaga went for velvet flatform styles in jewel tones, while Burberry and Dries van Noten channelled boho energy with sequin-embellished leather.
Founded in Brazil in 1962, Havaianas is a name synonymous with the flip-flop, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better pair as far as comfort, quality, range and affordability are concerned. Its understated but glam square toe and metallic logo give a modern edge. Aside from classic sandals, the brand also offers a platform style for anyone looking for a little extra height.
Another 90s favourite getting the high-fashion upgrade is the jelly sandal, which has returned this summer in a range of colours and styles from JuJu to Jimmy Choo. Heritage jelly shoe brand Melissa has teamed up with Diesel, Ganni and Susan Fang for limited runs — think brutalist-inspired platforms, ruffled thong sandals and ballet flats finished with intricate floral details. For warm days when socks are unthinkable, but your pedicure is in need of a touch-up, try cut-out jelly ballet flats.
Content creator Jess Gavigan notes an influx of hybrid ballerina sneakers, merging the ballet flat trend with streetwear styles. “Most major brands have done a version. There’s the Adidas Taekwondo, Puma’s Speedcat Go, Nike’s Shox Calistra and Merrell’s Relay Tour Mary Jane to name a few,” she says.
Her own go-to summer shoe is the Nike Air Rift, another 90s favourite experiencing a return. “Ugly shoes are in,” she says, mentioning the barefoot Vibram FiveFingers that you may have seen adorning the feet of sartorially adventurous girls on your feed.
On the SS26 runways, the ballerina sneaker was transformed into a refined, streamlined trainer that is low-key enough to go with anything. Take inspiration from the plimsoll-like styles at Celine, Miu Miu, Prada, and Dries van Noten. Off the runway, Adidas x Wales Bonner Karintha leather and crochet-trimmed satin sneakers are a safe bet.
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If you don’t like having your toes out, but also don’t want your feet trapped inside a trainer all summer, look to backless slip-on mules, loafers and clogs. The Solsbury Mule from Clarks Originals comes in an on-trend cow print, while Miista’s feature a memory-foam platform wedge. If you’re looking for something with a bit more oomph, try this studded pair from Dr. Martens. Alternatively, Maison Margiela has just released a Tabi mule.
For maximum style points — and to quiet the little voice in your head telling you to buy 15 pairs of new shoes — try combining two or more of the season’s biggest trends in one. The new Nikki Flip from JuJu combines a square toe, clear jelly PVC and a flip-flop all in one affordable and stylish shoe. For something a bit more avant-garde, there’s independent Bali-based footwear and swimwear brand Dirt. I have my eyes on their tangerine Range Thong, which features a leather flip-flop strap paired with a comfortable kitten heel, perfect for all-day wear.
