The Shoes We're Not Wearing This Summer

With the arrival of summer also comes the time to wear our favourite accessory: shoes. With the exception of bulky winter styles (think snow boots), pretty much anything goes when it comes to summer footwear. With that in mind, we wanted to narrow in on the styles we'll be seeing everywhere in the next few months—and the pieces we should stop wearing. Curious to find out which shoes fashion girls are ditching this season in two U.S. fashion hubs, New York City and Los Angeles, we turned to our shoe-loving team of Who What Wear editors.

What we found is that instead of a big divide by coast, our editors are focused on ditching anything uncomfortable or less functional across the board. They're also swapping out basic styles for more interesting pieces. Winning out are block heels that add some height without sacrificing comfort, plus slides with unexpected details like a silver finish or sculptural straps. Want to find out the editor-approved shoes to wear this summer?

Keep reading to find out which shoe styles Who What Wear editors are ditching this summer, and then shop the cute summer sandals they will be styling instead.

What L.A. girls are ditching:

"I'm ditching super-high heels for versatile block heels this summer." — Michelle Scanga (follow: @mscanga)

"Personally, I'm not a fan of lace-up sandals for summer—they just feel too complicated and take too long to put on! Instead, I want easy slide-on shoes like these cute raffia ones from Carmelinas." — Erin Fitzpatrick (follow: @fitzpatrickerin)

What NY girls are ditching:

"As much as I've worn them in the past (and admittedly still own a couple pairs), I can't stand sandals with a wimpy, flimsy, thin sole. And I think that's especially the case as a New Yorker who walks a lot. I much prefer a sturdier sole, a bit more support, and a smidgen of height, even on the most casual slip-on shoes." — Gina Marinelli, senior news editor (follow: @ginaalibit)

"This summer I'm retiring my basic all-black sandals for more interesting (and flattering) options. Anything from simple nude mules to elongate the legs to silver slides that will make my usual jeans-and-tee look more interesting." — Nicole Akhtarzad, market editor (follow: @nicoleakhtarzad)

"This year I'm taking a step away from the gladiator sandals that used to be my go-to. Instead, my heart is set on a flat style that's a little more polished and sophisticated. These Mari Giudicelli sandals are delicate and feel just right for both work or whatever weekend plans I may have." — Aemilia Madden, editor (follow: @aemiliafay)

SHOP MORE SHOES FOR SUMMER:

This post has been updated by Anna LaPlaca.