The Hot Sandal Trends Guaranteed to Be Everywhere This Summer
Break out the anklets and book your next pedicure—sandal season is just around the corner. Whether you’re a city, country, or beach dweller, a sleek pair of sandals will get you where you need to go this summer. Going for a more casual vibe? Choose from simple slides, chic suede flats, or Gigi Hadid-approved flip-flops paired with long denim shorts or your favorite maxi skirt. For more elevated soirées, try out mules or metallics with a slinky dress or ultra-mini. And for your whimsical summer frolics that lead you everywhere in between, there are sculptural wedges, nostalgic jellies, and retro cage-toes to add a dash of pizzazz to any fit (and any adventure).
No matter what vacation, party, pool, rooftop, beach, brunch, or lake your summer takes you to, we’ve found the best sandals to carry you there, sunscreen and piña coladas not included. Don’t wait much longer—shop our favorite sandal trends, below.
Boho Influence: SuedeSuede boots, flats, jackets, and handbags have been having a moment since 2024, and that extends to sandals, too. Casual but chic, suede sandals have a dash of boho style but can pair with any aesthetic thanks to simple silhouettes and neutral colors.
To me, platform sandals are nostalgic. The slinky black Steve Madden platform sandals I wore as a kid got me places, and now, as an adult, I can explore the style even more with all kinds of outfits. Flatforms with a mini skirt or simply with jeans and a tank top not only elongate your legs but also show the world that you’re incredibly fun.
Both futuristic and ’80s glam at the same time, metallic sandals are very It-girl. Whether flat or high-heeled, she’s fun, she’s flirty, and she’s got somewhere to be.
Discourse has been brewing about the height of heels and the rising reign of the kitten variety. More practical than a stiletto but way more chic than a block heel, kitten heels are the perfect way to elevate your style without, well, elevating your arches. And we must say…they come in some pretty cute styles, too.
The heeled mule is one of those silhouettes that makes everyone look cool and chic. It’s ultra-simple, yet elevates an outfit with a pop of color, a peek of lace, a little height, and the perfect frame for a fresh pedi. Get one in every color, and your summer outfits will be finished in a flash.
From Gucci to Dries van Noten, wedges were all over the spring/summer 2025 runways. Reminiscent of ’90s styles, brands are having fun with sculptural heels in clear and colored lucite. And, in our expert opinion, this is the trendy but timeless-in-an-eccentric-way style to try before everyone else gets in on it.
The cage-toe sandal making a comeback is definitely part of a resurgence of vintage inspiration. The ultra-feminine style of the ’40s and ’50s is simply beautiful, with a classic elegance that, with modern twists like a chain detail or sculptural heel, turns into a must-have silhouette for summer.
The ultimate nostalgia trip, jelly sandals have made their inevitable return, and how could they not? Cute and summery, these can be thrown on for anything, even in the water. Rihanna even gave her stamp of approval with her almost-immediately sold-out Fenty Puma jelly flip-flops.
Sometimes, you just don’t have time to put on a complicated sandal. As much as I love a strappy moment, I’ll admit they can be cumbersome and uncomfortable. This timeless trend makes things simple—minimalist slides are practical but chic, the ultimate flex in effortless elegance for summer.
From Chanel’s spring/summer 2024 runway flip-flops to Miu Miu’s thonged Mary Janes (styled with stretchy ankle bands) for spring/summer 2025, the thong silhouette for sandals is still going strong. Whether you’re rocking Gigi Hadid’s beach-ready collab with Havaianas or going full stiletto with inspiration from Ferragamo, Missoni, and Alaïa’s runways, the beauty of thong sandals is that they can be casual and/or sexy (emphasis on “and/or”) depending on how and where you wear them.
It’s no surprise that bright colors are more popular in the summer, but there’s something about a saturated acid green, yellow, orange, or pink that just screams lighthearted fun. This is different than neon—acid colors are part of a more elevated color palette that, sure, could fit in at a rave, but could also take you to a chic garden party or happy hour in the city.
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