When it comes to footwear, I'm somewhat of a hoarder. For real, there are boxes of boots, sandals, mules, and clogs all over my tiny NYC apartment, littering every free inch of space. For months, I've just lived with it, but lately, it's started to become a problem. Because of that, I've tasked myself with breaking my bad habit of holding on to dated or damaged shoes just for the sake of it and am finally doing the clean-out that should have happened years ago. But before I toss out a single pair, I have to decide which ones aren't making the cut.
Starting with summer, I went through every shoe trend from the last few years—think platform flip-flops, strappy sandals, and lug-sole loafers—and marked them "in" or "out" while simultaneously thinking about the new styles worth adding to my collection. The result? The list below details all of the 2022 summer shoe trends you (and I) can safely wave goodbye to as well as the ones you should either keep or shop. Hopefully, it'll help you clean up your overflowing collection as much as it did mine.
Out: Strappy Sandals
In: Pointed-Toe Kitten Heels
Thanks to Miuccia Prada introducing undeniably chic pointed-toe kitten heels at both of her brands—Prada and Miu Miu—the ladylike silhouette is having a serious moment right now. They're so trendy, in fact, that they've knocked our once-beloved strappy sandals out of the running for summer.
Shop the trend:
The perfect statement-makers.
I'm obsessed.
This price will be nearly impossible to beat.
My finger is hovering dangerously close to the purchase button.
Chunky loafers were inescapable for one too many seasons it seems, and a more classic, understated style has officially taken their place on fashion's footwear throne. With viral styles by Saint Laurent, Celine, and more luxury labels, simple penny loafers are now the number one loafer silhouette to own for summer.
Shop the trend:
Everyone I know who owns a pair of shoes from Porte & Paire raves about them.
G.H. Bass is our secret source for loafers that look like Saint Laurent's style for a fraction of the price.
But if you want the best of the best, these are the loafers for you.
These loafers are constantly sold out. Get them while you still can.
Whereas wedges were once the shoes that erred on the side of dated, the Y2K silhouette is making a huge comeback this summer, with styles by Bottega Veneta, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Prada, and Simon Miller leading the pack. A shoe style that's not getting the same hype? Platform flip-flops, which were everywhere last summer but are now officially old news.
Shop the trend:
These are the perfect starter wedges for anyone who's easing into the trend again.
If you're the type who likes your shoes to make a statement, I introduce to you *the* statement shoes of 2022.
I've already convinced two of my co-workers to buy these. Who's next?
Why do these have to be so tempting?
I feel like every single person on my Instagram feed is wearing the same casual New Balance sneakers, whether they're 550s or 990v5s, which is a sign that I need to find a new pair to add to my everyday rotation. The style I decided on? Runners, which Balenciaga is backing heavily this season. The best part about this style, though, is that they aren't "new," so you can find a ton of similar pairs for affordable prices from brands like Asics and Nike.
Shop the trend:
Just wait—these are going to be the next It sneakers.
Hailey Bieber has been spotted in Balenciaga's runners on countless occasions.
I need a pair of these ASAP.
Sporty Spice.
Balenciaga's Cagole boots are gearing up to be the only boots you'll see on your Instagram feeds for the remainder of the spring and summer (if not later). Single-handedly leading the edgy-knee-high-boot trend, the buckled style is selling out quickly. But don't fret. I did some digging and found a few alternatives worth checking out.
Shop the trend:
The boots that broke 2022 (and we're only five months in).
The front zipper on these Staud boots is *chef's kiss*.
These might be simple, but that doesn't mean they're not just as edgy and cool as Balenciaga's style.
I need these in my life.
With colorful and dopamine-inducing trends on the up and up lately, it's no wonder that Barbie-inspired footwear is too. The platform mules once worn by fashion's favorite dolls (sorry, Bratz) are even coming for the sky-high platform styles by Versace and Valentino that blew up this winter.
Shop the trend:
Tell me these aren't the going-out shoes your closet has been missing.
Zara knew what would happen if it made these. We'd all flock to buy them, of course.
Summer is the time to test out a bolder shoe style than you're used to.
The '90s called.
When it comes to flat shoes, slides were once the only style we wore in the summer, specifically with cutoffs and oversize linen button-downs. This year, though, ballet flats are coming for that spot, with fresh styles by Dear Frances, Khaite, and The Row joining the category alongside classic ones from Chanel and Gucci.
Shop the trend:
Summer awaits.
If you want a brighter ballet-flat moment, may I suggest going for the blue or orange styles instead?
Simply stunning.
This shade is just too pretty.
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