The First It Shoes of Summer 2026 Have Arrived, and They Aren't Flats or High Heels

Celeb approved and soon to be viral.

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Jennie Kim wearing a leather jacket, sheer midi skirt, and wedge-heel thong sandals in NYC.
(Image credit: KONY/Backgrid)
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We're still in the midst of spring and the awkward weather that comes along with it, but it's definitely not too soon to start thinking about (and wearing, actually) summer shoes. Without the functionality to keep in mind when selecting footwear during other seasons, the summer's warm weather makes it the best season for shoes, in my opinion. In the summer, winter-friendly details can be replaced by embellishment, color, interesting heel shapes, and cool materials such as satin and raffia. In case you were wondering what the summer It shoes will be, I have one of the first styles to put on your radar, and it was just worn by Jennie Kim while she's in NYC for the Met Gala this week.

The shoes are wedge-heel thong sandals, and the most forward version of the trend is one with a low, narrow heel. Consider it the 2026 version of the kitten-heel flip-flops everyone was wearing last year. Specifically, Kim wore the Reformation Amelia Thong Wedge Sandals in elegant brown croc, which are the perfect representation of the trend. The heel is a perfect two-inch height, the toe is squared, the straps are the ideal thickness, and the footbed is comfortably cushioned. If you're looking for an outfit idea to wear with them, it doesn't get much better than hers.

I've noticed that wedge-heel thong sandals are selling quickly, and by the time June rolls around, your favorites may have the dreaded "sold out" icon next to them, so take my advice and place an order now. That's what I'll be doing for Jennie Kim's Reformation pair before the day's end.

The It Shoes on Jennie Kim

Jennie Kim wearing a leather jacket, sheer midi skirt, and wedge-heel thong sandals in NYC.

(Image credit: KONY/Backgrid)

On Jennie Kim: Chimi Edith Sunglasses ($200); Phoebe Philo Cropped Leather Bomber Jacket ($6300); The Frankie Shop Aurora Plaid Sheer Mesh Midi Skirt ($200); Chanel bag; Reformation Amelia Thong Wedge Sandals ($278)

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Allyson Payer
Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater arts. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.