With summer travel calling, the right footwear makes all the difference to your look, comfort, and ability to explore or relax. So, whether you’re setting off on a far-flung adventure or soaking up sunshine in your own neighborhood, take a look at our favorite stylish summer shoes below. Our picks blend comfort, versatility, and style, ready for all your summer plans.
What to think about when choosing your most stylish summer shoes
What shouldn’t you compromise on when choosing your summer shoes?
What comfort level do you need
First of all, comfort is key. If you’re travelling and sightseeing, it’s essential that your shoes give you the support you need. So, make sure they have features like comfort soles and arch support. For more inspiration, check out our plantar fasciitis and arch support articles
Sheree @shesheshow above opts for silver sandals with her colorful beach outfit. Choosing metallic shoes is a great idea when packing for a vacation because they go with everything.
Get her look with this similar tee, skirt, sandals, handbag. earrrings, hat and sunglasses.
Your activities
What will you be doing over the summer? Walking? Heading tot he beach? Travelling through the airport? Going to an event like a party or the races? Whatever you’re up to, make sure your shoes match your activities.
Breathability
It’s important that your feet stay cool and can breathe rather than getting sweaty in hot weather. So, you’ll want materials and styles that allow airflow.
Do you prefer to cover-up parts of your feet?
Sandals can be tricky to wear if you don’t love your toes or maybe you want to cover up a bunion. But, you also don’t want your feet to get too hot. So, we’ve made sure to include plenty of closed toe summer shoe choices below.
Sandals for summer
Sandals are the quintessential summer footwear, combining breathability, comfort, and effortless style in one package, so let’s start with stylish sandal styles. Look for travel ready sandals that offer arch support, adjustable straps and cushioned soles – without sacrificing aesthetics. Options with molded footbeds and non-slip soles are perfect for walking tours and making your way through the airport. Neutral tones like tan, black, white and metallics will go with everything. Or, go for bold colors to add flair – and match your capsule wardrobe to your shoes.
Kimba @kimbalikes above opts for comfy adjustable sandals in a neutral shade that will go with everything.
Check out this similar tank top, skirt (another option here), sandals, sling bag and sunglasses.
Take a look at some of our favorites below.
fly london
We love FLY London’s styles for their comfort and chunky, stylish soles that add a bit of an edge to summer outfits. The platform wedges (below) are a great way to add a little extra height without an uncomfortable heel. They have a cushioned footbed and come in four colors.
FLY London Bexy Platform Wedge Sandals
(Zappos / Amazon / Nordstrom)
naturalizer
Another great comfort brand, we love the gold toe details on the Naturalizer slingbacks below, which really elevates a simply sandals look. If you love a minimalist look take a look at the white or the black choices. They also come in the brown shown here and gold.
27 EDIT Naturalizer Via Slingback Pointed Toe Sandals
(Zappos / Nordstrom)
birkenstock
For comfort and casual chic, it’s hard to beat a great pair of Birkenstocks like the buckle sandals below. They’re super supportive so ideal for sightseeing, and they look good with everything from midi skirts and dresses to shorts and crop pants.
Birkenstock Sydney Luxe Buckle Sandals
söfft
A well-cushioned footbed and grippy sole provide comfort and stability on the Söfft sandals (below). They come in a choice of four colors. We love the stitching details around the top of the sole.
Söfft Ruthie Ankle Strap Platform Wedge Sandals
(Zappos / Nordstrom)
vionic
Vionic’s cushioned sandals are lightweight for walking all day, they have cushioned footbeds, and there’s a choice of three neutral shades.
Vionic Solana Slingback Sandals
(Zappos / Amazon)
Sandals for sightseeing
If you know you’ll be on your feet for an extended period of time then choosing a pair of sandals especially designed for walking is a good idea.
similar dress here and here, sandals, earrings, necklace, hat, backpack and sunglasses
Teva
The Teva sandals (below) now come in this closed toe style. There’s a good choice of neutrals and they have extra traction, so are perfect for hiking.
Teva Tirra Sport Closed Toe Sandals
(Zappos / Amazon / Nordstrom)
ECCO
We love the fact ECCO has added snakeprint to what is otherwise a very sporty sandal below. Plus the black and white sole details adds extra interest.
ECCO Yucatan Sport Sandal
(Zappos / Amazon / Nordstrom)
Skechers
Skechers are always well-reviewed by women looking for comfy shoes. The asymmetric details on the On-the-Go sandals (below) look stylish, and wearers say they’re extremely comfortable, even if you’re walking for hours.
Skechers On-the-Go 600 Brilliancy Sport Sandal
Dr. Scholl’s
Not as sporty looking as other options on our list, but just as comfy, and perfect if you love a minimalist look, the Dr. Scholl’s sandals (below) are made from recycled materials so you can feel good about your choice.
Dr. Scholl’s Shoes Nicely Fun Sandals
(Zappos / Amazon)
Mephisto
Mephisto’s sandals (below) have air-relax technology to help support your arches. We love that you can adjust the fit with the straps, and the stripe along the sole adds a sporty feel.
Mephisto Jeanie Ankle Strap Sandals
(Zappos / Nordstrom)
Taos Footwear
Taos’ sandals (below) have a sole that is designed to hug your feet. They have cool recovery foam to keep your feet comfy during the day.
Taos Footwear Trophy 2 Sandals
(Zappos / Amazon)
Plaka
Plaka’s walking sandals (below) have thousands of great reviews from wearers who say they are comfy to wear all day, and don’t rub or chafe. They come in a choice of five colors.
Sandals that will take you from day to night
When you’re travelling, it’s important that your shoes are versatile. After all, you won’t want to be packing one pair of shoes for every outfit. So, sandals that can take you from day to night are essential. Below are stylish summers shoes options that are comfy enough for walking around, but will also look great with dressier outfits.
Vince Camuto
The gold hardware on the Vince Camuto sandals elevates the style and we love the black shade and the rattan option too.
Vince Camuto Cacey Fisherman Flat Sandals
(Zappos / Amazon / Nordstrom)
Naot
Choose sandals with a little heel like the adjustable Naot pair below. Just be sure the heel is block or stacked to make sure you can still walk comfortably. They come in different colors, and you can adjust the fit.
Naot Intact Sandals
(Zappos / Amazon / Nordstrom)
Lucky Brand
We love the Fisherman style of the Lucky Brand sandals (below), and the ridge effect on the wooden heels. They also come in black and brown.
Lucky Brand Zilma Fisherman Sandals
(Zappos / Amazon / Nordstrom)
Aerosoles
If you love a chunky sole, then look no further. The Aerosoles sandals (below) add heigh without sacrificing stability. Perfect with wide leg pants or jeans.
Aerosoles Chabella Platform Sandals
(Zappos / Nordstrom)
ECCO
We love the minimalist style of the black and white ECCO sandals (below). They have a sporty feel but with lovely clean lines. There are lots of other color options too – we’re also fans of the metallics.
ECCO Flowt Wedge Cork Sandals
(Zappos / Amazon)
Boden
Gold goes with everything, and the Boden sandals (below) would look lovely with a shorts suit or white dress.
Boden Multi Strap Pointed Sandals
Sandals if you want to cover your toes
If you don’t want to show off your toes – maybe you have bunions to the side or your toe nails aren’t growing how you would like, then there are still plenty of stylish summer shoes to choose from.
Karen @styledbykaren above opts for classic Chanel-esque toe cap shoes.
Recreate her outfit with this similar vest, jeans, slingbacks, earrings and sunglasses.
Dansko
Starting with a super comfy pair from Dankso, these have the feel of a sandal but with a closed toe. Plus, they have a comfort sole so they’re great for sightseeing.
Dansko Rowan Sandals
(Zappos / Amazon / Nordstrom)
Birkenstock
Birkenstock’s two strap sandals are the most famous style from the brand, but they also do a closed toe clog which offers the same kind of look.
Birkenstock Tokio Clogs
(Zappos / Nordstrom)
Nine West
Espadrilles are another good alternative to open toe sandals. The Nine West pair (below) definitely look like they would be right at home in the South of France.
Nine West Darby Flat Sandals
(Zappos / Amazon / Nordstrom)
Skechers
We’ve already featured one pair of Skechers, and we couldn’t resist another. We love the leopard print detail on the sandals (below), which offer the look of espadrilles but with a grippier sole.
Skechers Desert Kiss-Sun Shining Ballet Flat
(Zappos / Amazon)
Naturalizer
The Naturalizer slingbacks (below) have a stylish asymmetric design that will go with anything. They’re super comfy and have traction soles. And, the metallic shade means they will match the rest of your vacation outfits.
Naturalizer Soul Idea D’Orsay Slingback Ballet Flat
Free People
Free People is the ideal go-to if you love a bohemian look, and these Fisherman sandals would look great with longer dresses. But they also have a bit of a preppy or Old Money look so you could wear with your chinos or shorts.
Free People Libby Slingback Sandals
(Zappos / Nordstrom)
Sneakers
Of course, you don’t have to stick to sandals for summer. Sneakers are a fabulous option year-round. Choose lighter colors, breathable fabrics, and traction soles.
similar dress here and here, sneakers, sunglasses and hat
On
On Cloud’s sneakers are perfect for plane journeys and sightseeing once you get to your destination. There’s a good choice of colors and we love the brand’s signature sole detail.
On Cloud 6 Sneakers
(Zappos / Amazon / Nordstrom)
tretorn
Go as minimal or as maximalist as you want with Tretorn’s canvas sneakers. They come in a choice of white shades with flashes of color, or you can choose full-on prints like leopard.
TRETORN Nylite Plus Canvas Sneaker
FitFlop
Fitflop’s sneakers are as comfy as their original flip flops. They’re lightweight, made of breathable canvas, and they have Fitflop’s signature ergonomic style to keep your feet and body in better alignment.
Naturalizer
Add a pop of color to your summer outfits with these Naturalizer sneakers. They have a retro feel which is very on trend right now.
Naturalizer Medina Sneakers
(Zappos / Amazon / Nordstrom)
FLY London
If you love sneakers but want a little extra height, then we love these FLY London wedges. Perfect to wear with your midi dresses or wide-leg pants.
FLY London Dufy Sneakers
(Zappos / Amazon)
Slip-ons and loafers
Slip-ons are also a fantastic choice, and loafers are very much on trend as always. Plus, if you do have to take off your shoes at airport security you don’t need to worry about laces.
Claudia @glamupyourlifestyle above (read her style interview here) looks fabulous in her driving shoes and striped pants.
Steal her look with this similar blouse (another option here), pants, loafers, handbag and necklace.
Frye
Frye is better known for boots, but they also do some fantastic slip-ons. The elastic at the front makes them easier to get on and the soles are flexible and lightweight. Reviewers say they hold up well over-time, making them a great option summer after summer.
Frye Melanie Slip-On Flats
(Zappos / Amazon)
Lauren Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is a great go to if you love a preppy, Old Money or classic style, and this soft white shade will go with everything. Wear with straight leg jeans.
Lauren Ralph Lauren Barnsbury Pebbled Leather Driver Loafer Flats
(Zappos / Amazon)
VIVAIA
When searching for summer shoes, it’s essential they are breathable, so we love the perforations on these VIVAIA Mary Janes. They’re made from recycled materials and come in a huge choice of colors.
VIVAIA Margot Mary Jane Women Flats
(Amazon / Nordstrom)
Allbirds
Allbirds’ Tree Loungers are another absolute classic, and they’re the perfect choice for travelling as they’re lightweight, slip-on, and you can machine wash them to keep them clean.
Allbirds Tree Lounger Lightweight Slip-Ons
Dr. Scholl’s
If you’re worried about your feet getting sweaty in summer, Dr. Scholl’s timeless Madison sneakers have odor control technology, along with cushioning and arch support.
Skechers
Another pair from Skechers as these Go Wak Joy sneakers are so well reviewed. There’s a vast array of colors so you’re sure to find your favorite and they’re perfect for travelling. They have close to 100,000 reviews, mostly very positive, from women who say they minimize back and foot strain and are very lightweight.
Best summer shoes for travelling
So many of the stylish summer shoes we’ve already shown you are perfect for plane travel, or for walking while on your vacation. But, we couldn’t resist showing you a few more below.
Sharryn @thestylishwoman above wears cool, perforated Mary-Janes.
Check out this similar top, pants, flats (another option here), tote, necklace, earrings and sunglasses.
Rothy’s
If your vacation wear tends to feature a lot of denim, white, and black, how about adding some interest with the leopard print flats (below)? Don’t worry if you prefer a more pared down look – they also come in black and tan. They’re soft, flexible, and you can machine wash them.
Ilse Jacobsen
Ilse Jacobsen’s perforated slip-ons are a classic, and they come in a huge choice of colors. Just pick what goes best with your vacation capsule.
Ilse Jacobsen Tulip 139 Perforated Slip-On Sneaker
(Zappos / Amazon / Nordstrom)
Allbirds
Another choice from Allbirds for you. These slip-ons have a little bit of a platform so add some height while still staying comfy. They’re super light and have a cushioned mid-sole for all-day comfort and walkability.
Allbirds Lounger Lift Platform Slip-Ons
TOMS
It wouldn’t be a list of stylish summer shoes without featuring a pair from Toms. These slip-ons come in a huge color choice and are made with cotton and jute.
TOMS Alpargata Slip-On
(Zappos/ Amazon / Nordstrom)
Rykä
Finally, a pair of sneaker-Mary-Jane hybrids that are ideal if you’re doing a lot of sightseeing. They have extra arch support, impact protection, and you can adjust the fit with the strap.
Rykä Echo Knit Mary Jane Sneakers
(Amazon / Nordstrom)
So, there you have it, all our favorite stylish summer shoes to wear whether you’re travelling or staying at home this year. What are the most stylish, comfy summer shoes you’ve found. Let us know in the comments below so we can make this an even better resource.
Continue reading:
- Best shoes with arch support – comfortable walking shoes to walk in all day!
- The best plantar fasciitis shoes for women over 40
- The best summer sneakers to keep your feet cool and stylish all season
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