From Linen Sets to Floaty Dresses, Here's What to Wear With Sandals This Summer
For as long as the current weather continues (it’s a blissful 21 degrees in London as I type) there’s really only one footwear option that makes practical sartorial sense. You guessed it: sandals. We've waited long enough to let our toes breathe, thank you very much—it's time to step out in the strappiest sandals we can get our hands (or feet) on.
So, now that the shoes are sorted, you may be wondering what to wear with your chosen sandals. As tempting as it is to dress up in bold prints and bright hues as soon as the sun appears, personally I favour a simpler approach to summer style (especially in the heat). You'll likely find me wearing my slides, mules and espadrilles with a rotation of classic combinations—be it a tank top and jeans, a dress, or a linen co-ord.
From floral midi dresses to lightweight trousers, there are few warm-weather staples that won't work with sandals. But if we were to assemble our favourites into seven streamlined outfits, they might look something like this...
1. Striped Shirt + Midi Skirt + Slides
Style Notes: A relaxed-fit shirt is my most trusted summer layer. Thrown on with a midi skirt and slide-on sandals, the results are effortless but oh-so polished.
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2. Asymmetric Tee + Jeans + Fisherman Sandals
Style Notes: An easy way to elevate a jeans-and-tee combo? Opt for a T-shirt with an interesting twist, such as an asymmetric neckline or embroidered detailing.
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An investment, yes, but you'll love and wear these classic sandals forever.
3. White Blouse + Slip Skirt + Strappy Sandals
Style Notes: Slip skirts are forever, but during the summer months they're best paired with a breezy cotton blouse. Complete the look with wrap-around sandals, and you'll be ready to jet off to some far-flung beach resort.
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This breezy top will keep you cool during the heatwave.
4. Midi Dress + Birkenstocks
Style Notes: When you just can't be bothered putting together an outfit (it's a familiar feeling to us all), reach for your nearest midi dress. According to fashion people, Birkenstocks are the best match for a pretty floral frock.
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This best-selling Doen dress comes in so many colours and prints, it's impossible to pick a favourite.
Understated gold jewellery will go with all your summer outfits.
Everyone should have a pair of these comfy slides in their collection.
5. Linen Co-Ord + Flip-Flops
Style Notes: There are so many dreamy linen co-ords out there right now that the choice is overwhelming. But something like this green skirt set ticks so many trend boxes.
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6. Tank Top + White Trousers + Minimal Sandals
Style Notes: This might be the easiest look on the list to recreate. All you need is a plain tank top, white trousers of some kind and your most minimal sandals. Simple.
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Who said you can't find designer-looking shoes on the high street?
7. Shirt + Tailored Shorts + Toe-Loop Sandals
Style Notes: This shirt-and-shorts pairing is the key to looking chic even in the height of a heatwave. Toe-ring sandals are definitely having a moment right now.
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Muted tones like this sage green will lift your neutral pieces.
7. Striped Trousers + Tank Top + Flip Flops
Style Notes: It's no secret that the WWW team love a great pair of striped linen trousers in summer, and what better to pair them with than a simple black tank top and flip flops? This is, without a doubt, the perfect look for a hot summer's day in the city or for travelling.
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Yes, these are an investment, but they've well earned their icon status now, making them a solid investment.
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer and editor. She started her first blog at age 14 and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine.
A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor to Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and fresh takes on classic design.
In her spare time, Bébhinn enjoys perusing Edinburgh’s best vintage shops, working through her out-of-control book collection and watching dog reels on Instagram.
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