The Only 7 Shoe Trends People With Good Taste Will Be Styling This Summer

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Collage of women wearing summer 2026 shoe trends.
(Image credit: @hoskelsa; @hannahlewisstylist; @courtneygrow; @morganstewart; @kelseymerritt)
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Summer, is that you? As the season rapidly approaches, the fashion set is already styling plenty of spring-to-summer looks that are giving us a peek into what next-season style will look like. One thing is becoming abundantly clear: A number of specific shoes are early favorites, and coupled with how the runways and market have been trending, I can say with certainty there are seven summer shoe styles coming out on top right now.

You can expect these to be the shoes worn by the chicest women from now through September, so if you want to know what the season's A+ outfits will look like, these seven warm-weather shoe trends are set to be their foundations. Cool style for summer 2026 means embracing one, if not several, of the below shoe trends, from a fresh take on heeled thong sandals to the number one sneaker style to know and the statement sandals everyone will pack on vacation.

The Top Summer 2026 Shoe Trends

1. Wedge Thong Sandals

Fashion influencer wearing the wedge flip-flop trend.

(Image credit: @angelafink)

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2. Air Sneakers

Kelsey Merritt wearing a pair of Jimmy Choo lace sneakers.

(Image credit: @kelseymerritt)

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3. Beading and Embellishments

A pair of beaded blue sandals.

(Image credit: @smythsisters)

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4. Glove Flats

@nlmarilyn wearing a pair of lace-up glove flats.

(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

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5. Bright Flip-Flops

Courtney Grow wearing cobalt-blue Christopher Esber flip-flops.

(Image credit: @courtneygrow)

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6. Peep-Toe Mules

Morgan Stewart wearing peep-toe mules.

(Image credit: @morganstewart)

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7. Eel-Print Finishes

Hailey Bieber wearing the eel-print shoe trend.

(Image credit: @haileybieber)

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Anna LaPlaca
Anna LaPlaca
Senior Editor

Anna is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who has been a member of the Who What Wear team for over eight years, having begun her career in L.A. at brands like Michael Kors and A.L.C. As an editor, she has earned a reputation for her coverage of breaking trends, emerging brands, luxury shopping curations, fashion features, and more. Anna has penned a number Who What Wear cover interviews, including Megan Fox, Julia Garner, and Lilly Collins. She also leads the site’s emerging travel vertical that highlights all things travel and lifestyle through a fashion-person lens.