Like It or Not, This Is How Cool Girls Are Styling the Sandal Trend of the Summer

Josephine Hadjiloucas's avatar
By
published
in Buying Guides
@_livmadeline wearing capris and a wedge sandals; @sarahlouiseblythe wearing a lace-trim skirt and wedge sandals; @mimixn wearing Madewell.
(Image credit: @_livmadeline; @sarahlouiseblythe; @mimixn)
Jump to category:

Okay, they're not jelly sandals (though this style dips its toe in PVC touches), but wedge sandals are another divisive summer 2026 shoe trend. Commonly thong sandals, these wedge flip-flops are a level up from kitten heels. Dare I say they're easier to walk in? If you think it looks familiar, this funky footwear got its start in the early aughts. While it is a Y2K icon, the styling has not stayed the same—phew! It girls have paired the nostalgic sandals with modern favorites like colored jeans, lace-trimmed skirts, and other revived staples. Yes, I'm talking about capri leggings. Scroll on to see how cool girls from NYC, London, and Amsterdam are styling wedge sandals.

5 Bottoms Cool Girls Are Wearing With Wedge Sandals

Lace-Trim Skirt

@sarahlouiseblythe wearing a lace-trim skirt and wedge sandals.

(Image credit: @sarahlouiseblythe)

Colored Jeans

@chloekathbutler wearing colored jeans and wedge sandals.

(Image credit: @chloekathbutler)

Linen Shorts

@mimixn wearing Madewell linen shorts.

(Image credit: @mimixn)

Capris

@_livmadeline wearing capris and a wedge sandals.

(Image credit: @_livmadeline)

Drawstring Trousers

@fiahamelijnck wearing drawstring trousers and wedge sandals.

(Image credit: @fiahamelijnck)
Explore More:
Josephine Hadjiloucas
Josephine Hadjiloucas
Assistant Shopping Editor

Josephine Hadjiloucas is a New York–based writer. She first interned at Who What Wear UK in 2024 and later joined Who What Wear U.S. as an assistant shopping editor after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2025. When she isn’t covering the latest Gen Z trends or updating her under-$100 Nordstrom wish list, you can find her browsing the racks of NYC’s best vintage stores or rewatching Moonstruck for the 50th time. “Snap out of it!”