The summer that awaits us on the horizon can only be described in a simple phrase—one giant step for fashion kind. That is to say, when it comes to the laissez-faire silhouettes that are compulsory to wear on sun-kissed days, they’re anything but conventional. Still, no category is defying expectations more this season than footwear. Indeed, from tactile jelly shoes rendered in saccharine pastels to sumptuous suede rendered in caffeinated hues, the key shoe trends for summer 2026 run the gamut.
Be it brazenly defying expectations, subverting classic shapes or distilling timeless tropes down to their very essence, only to expand on them again in weird and wonderful ways, it seems that the major summer shoe trends are certifiably adventurous. Or, in the words of content creator and trend forecaster Mandy Lee (@oldloserinbrooklyn), shoes for “freaks”. Though calling them more innovative might be a more palatable adage, there’s certainly no denying that these styles are for the risk takers amongst us. If fortune favours the bold, then these shoe trends seem to indicate that fashion does, too.
Proving this best is the defining shoe trend thus far—Chanel’s toe-baring, phalange-forward half-sandal that just scantily clad the heel. There’s certainly no occasion that could suit this sole-less style. A trip to the beach would render them completely useless and leave the underside of your foot scorched on the sand. Any ritzy restaurant with a sensible dress code would have to have half a brain to let you in wearing them. Even a simple walk through the park would be deemed senseless. But, when paired with Mattieu Blazy’s debut Cruise collection for the French maison, they felt a breath of fresh air.
It’s this sense of freshness that really underscores the season and, as a result, makes the more daring summer shoe trends feel completely appropriate for now. Is the warm weather not the perfect time to tread new ground? To spend your weekends losing track of time and exploring new surroundings? And if your itinerary for the months ahead is anything like mine—read: slow sojourns through scintillating corners of the Mediterranean, busy strolls through London’s best neighbourhoods and the aim of visiting every vintage boutique I’ve ever been recommended—you’re going to need a thorough arsenal of sleek flats and heels to do it all in
Just take it from me—a fashion writer with a decade of experience covering the latest trends and a bona fide passion for shoes—you’ll fall head-over-heels in love with these styles. From textural takes on timeless ballet flats to hybrids bound to get your heart pumping and elevated lace-up shoes that will have even the most stringent anti-trainer believer amongst us converted, uncover the 7 key summer shoe trends to note below.
The 7 Major Summer Shoe Trends of 2026
1. Pony Hair Ballet Flats
Style Notes: There’s not a well-edited wardrobe that doesn’t contain a ballet flat. From Alexa Chung to Chloë Sevigny, I’d contend that nearly every woman in the world owns a pair. However, for summer, the shape is evolving to suit the more pared-back ensembles that rise to the fore during the season. Like a swinging pendulum, if silhouettes get stripped back, the shoes we pair them with get dialled up. For summer, expect to see ballet flats dusted with a textured finish. Made with synthetic hair, despite what the name of these shoes suggests, this trend adds dimension to any look and serves as the continuation of unexpected animal prints that prevailed at the tail end of last year.
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Glove-fit ballet flats are a micro trend that is gaining traction.
Forget mesh flats, these tiger-print, criss-cross shoes from Alaïa like, totally, have my heart.
An elegant Mary Jane that will look excellent with white cotton minis and polished denim shorts.
Pink ballerinas are as archetypal as they come, but with this textured detail, they look far more en pointe.
2. Derbies
Style Notes: Beloved by Tracee Ellis Ross and Fred Astaire, the centuries-old derby shoe trend has come to claim its spot as the ultimate antithesis to chunky trainers. First pioneered by Celine's creative director, Michael Ryder, in his debut collection for the house, this slick and streamlined shape injects graceful poise and subverted elegance to any quintessential off-duty look. And to think that this traditionally masculine silhouette, worn by well-heeled gentlemen in the 19th Century, has become the ideal accompaniment to clean-cut jeans and crisp white t-shirts.
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Bob Fosse-core.
Your primest trainers could only dream of looking this poli
These serve as the an antidote to equally chic gathered loafers, too.
Parisian-approved.
3. Satin Trainers
Style Notes: This year has proven to be the year of shoe hybrids. A trend that would’ve piqued Mary Shelly’s interest, Frankenstein-esque shapes like loafer sneakers and wedge clogs have become one of the most prevailing trends of the year. Arguably, the most delicate version of this trend, however, is the satin trainers. Bridging the gracefulness of a silky ballet slipper à la Miu Miu’s beloved style from the brand’s autumn/winter 2022 collection with the functionality of sneakers, this trend is a lesson in contrast.
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This champagne colour is also a hue Puma is embracing in their satin trainers, too.
With a lug sole and athletic finish, you'll forget you're wearing shoes primarily intended for sports.
The inimitable original.
Take your hybrid shoe game up a notch with this bow-adored and cut-out pair.
4. Suede Sandals
Style Notes: Since juxtapositions seem to be a theme of the summer, it’s only fitting that suede sandals also seize this moment to reign supreme. Both tactile and sumptuous, the disparity between a breezy and skin-baring shoe and a napped fabric that requires a lot of maintenance might seem ludicrous at first. But like the combination of salted crisps and caviar or prosciutto and melon, sometimes the most unexpected pairings can be the most delightful.
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These look so expensive.
Trust me when I say, the A.Emery Jalen sandals are the most comfortable and chic summer shoes you could possibly own. A fashion insider's secret, I swear by them during hot weather days.
St. Agni is renowned for its divisive minimalism and off-duty polish, which this pair encompasses entirely.
This light brown will make all your white linens and cottons look even brighter.
5. Jelly Mules
Style Notes: Chloe’s Chemena Kamali is making all our childhood fantasies come true with this pair of jelly mules. Particularly, anyone who dreamt of owning a pair of Cinderella-esque glass slippers when they grew up. As fantastical as this sounds, it’s a very real possibility thanks to this plastic, fantastic shoe trend. Better still, they won’t turn back into a pumpkin at the stroke of midnight, meaning all your late evening dinner plans along the Côte d'Azur won't need a curfew.
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I can promise you that these are actually comfortable, complete with short heel that provides support and a jelly-like composition that's genuinely stable.
Wear these and you'll feel like Belle from Beauty And The Beast.
How can you not feel like a princess in this icy pink pair?
From blue jeans to butter yellow satin skirts, you'll find any excuse to slip into these.
6. Sculptural Wedges
Style Notes: As seen in Biarritz for Chanel’s latest collection presentation, summer is the season of the provocative shoe, and there’s no style on this list that adheres to this doctrine better than that of sculptural wedges. With a Polly Pocket-esque finish and slightly confounding structure, these architectural marvels are secretly versatile, making them the sartorial exclamation mark on outfits rooted in fun, flirtation and effervescence.
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This Alaia pair is the wedge shoe of the summer.
Curved heels continue to dominate.
A more accessible option that's already selling out fast.
Mock croc is just another animal print trend that's proving popular.
7. Embellished Heels
Style Notes: Of course, there’s no summer complete without a statement heel. From Carrie Bradshaw stepping out in Los Angeles in two different coloured Manolo Blahniks to the Cancerian-approved Giuseppe Zanotti crab shoes you’ll see at lavish lunch spots like Da Adolfo, this shoe trend encapsulates the spirit of the season.
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Or, make like Samantha Jones in the first Sex and the City film in this fishbone pair.
The square-buckle embellishment is nothing short of iconic.
An extension of the silver sequin trend that's commanding ready-to-wear at the moment.
This Isabel Marant pair feels like something you'd find on a Prada runway circa 1990.