The Minimal ‘90s Shoe Trends That Unlock Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s Timeless Style

I can't be the only one noticing that the summer 2025 shoe trends seem to have stepped out of a time machine from the '90s. Toe-ring sandals are on every New York City block. Jelly sandals have squelched their way back into the hearts of discerning celebrities and fashion editors—both Rihanna and Marie Claire's own Nikki Ogunnaike endorse the childlike shoe trend. Personally, I just bought a pair of Havaianas flatform flip-flops because, while I love The Row's viral Ginza sandal, the $990 shoe would lead me to unforeseen levels of financial irresponsibility.

Truth be told, it's not surprising to see the best '90s shoes walking among us again. '90s fashion is never far from designers' minds, considering that the era's quiet yet complex minimalism, championed by Calvin Klein, Helmut Lang, and Yohji Yamamoto, is the influence that keeps giving. But specifically for the summer 2025 trending shoes, it seems as though designers revisited fashion's archives—some long-tenured creatives perhaps even browsed their own work from thirty years ago—and collectively chose the decade's most memorable silhouettes as inspiration.

On the Spring/Summer 2025 runways, Chloé showed jelly sandals just like the bubble gum pink pair I wore to pre-K, while Aläia and Tod's simple heeled thongs and strappy heels would have effortlessly slot into Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's style file.

'90s shoes trending in 2025 is certainly advantageous for those curating a minimalist capsule wardrobe—myself included (hence, my new Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen-esque sandals that didn’t bankrupt me). Even for those just shopping for a new pair of sandals or looking for the best clogs to ground their summer fashion collection, you can’t go wrong with a ‘90s-inspired shoe. The silhouettes have, after all, proven themselves timeless.

Ahead, discover exactly which throwback pairs strutted down summer's runways and are about to be everywhere in a matter of mere weeks.

Jelly Sandals

I absolutely lived in jelly sandals as a little kid, and it's been downright delightful to see the resurgence of these squishy shoes. From Chloé's candy-colored kitten heels to Tory Burch's mesh flats and Ancient Greek Sandals' simple flip-flops, designers have had a field day revisiting this youthful footwear with more grown-up sensibilities.

Chunky Sneakers

Across the board, retro sneakers are becoming increasingly popular—and that includes the chunky styles we sported at the end of the 20th century. From the dad sneaker to the platform sneaker to the cult-classic Jordans, '90s sneakers were characterized by their bulky, sometimes oversized appearance. Today's versions pick up where that decade left off, with Gucci showcasing supersized silhouettes on its runways and Nike and Puma offering chunky sneakers reminiscent of those released thirty years ago.

Toe-Ring Sandals

Toe ring sandals are among this summer's most ubiquitous trends (just last weekend I spotted 27 pairs in downtown Manhattan). Today's styles directly draw inspiration from their '90s predecessors, integrating strategic metallic accents and hair-thin leather straps within a minimalistic design.

Heeled Thongs

With their subtle kitten heel, an elevated thong sandal brings a touch of class to the classic flip-flop. This season's heeled sandals embrace the signature '90s ethos: less is more. You won't see excess beading, bijoux, or bling on 2025's top-selling styles.

Platform Sandals

Platform sandals are among the most evocative shoes of the '90s. Set on a flat base or stacked on a chunky block heel, the decade featured several iterations—and 2025 will, too, with styles like Chloé's gummy fisherman sandal and Reformation's suede flatform.

Clogs

Whether you're still partial to a '90s-esque Candie's clog or prefer a comfortable garden-ready style, summer 2025's best clogs meet you where you're at. Styling-wise, try the hefty, personality-filled shoe with a more understated little black dress or a simple breezy outfit.