The Best Shoes for Summer, According to Our Editors

"I have been eyeing these BY FAR sandals. There’s nothing I love more than a practical heel and this one is very sensible (1.5 inches! A grass-friendly block shape!) while still being totally sexy. They’re the perfect shoe for a summer wedding (gird your loins, wedding season is almost upon us!) paired with a dress or thrown on to elevate a cropped jean for Sunday brunch." —Sally Holmes, Digital Director 

"I want to hop on board the clog trend this summer before everyone does. This shoe from MIA is the perfect combination of a fisherman sandal with a wooden clog. Catch me clunking around at the office and on the weekends in these practical '90s-chic shoes made and designed in Sweden." —Morgan McMullen, Designer 

"I’ll wear a long-sleeve shirt in 80-degree weather, so naturally I refuse to give up my boots in the summer. I’ve been looking for a pair of white booties for a while now—ones that a) I can wear to the bar and the office, b) comfortably fit my wide feet, and c) look good with either skinny or bootcut jeans—to replace my favorite suede pair that helped me survive this brutally long winter. I’m a little hesitant about the width, but I plan on buying a size up in these Marc Fisher booties to make sure they’re perfect. If all else fails, I’ll go for this amazing Frye pair as my backup option." —Rachel Epstein, Assistant Editor

"I honestly feel like a snakeskin-printed, twisted block heel will make me feel like the world is my runway. These slip-on sandals fall into the effortless shoe category that will instantly edge up a simple look." —Maya Allen, Beauty Editor

"I have been wearing a four strap, white, leather limited-edition Birkenstock sandal for four summers, but the sole is thinning and I would like to prolong their life a bit, so I am thinking of introducing another limited-edition Birkenstock into the fold.  This crossover strap style comes in mauve in the USA and in a whitish grey in Europe. The strap style makes these shoes look a little dressier than the Arizona two strap model that has been making a comeback over the past few summers. I'm hoping the pink is neutral enough to go with most outfits." —Bridget Burns, Photo Editor 

"My dream summer shoe is cool, looks like it could kick some ass, and is comfortable enough to stomp all over the city in. This summer, I’m torn between two options: Ann Demulemeester’s platform sandals—preferably the non-patent version— and the Rick Owens X Birkenstock black and silver Arizona Rotterdam sandals. But I think the platforms are going to win out. I’m only 5’4’’, so I’ll take every extra inch I can get." —Jennifer Goldstein, Beauty & Health Director/Features Editor

"Staud, the Los Angeles It brand right now, just launched shoes, and I have to say they're even better than what I expected. I’m obsessing over this brown strappy sandal because it passes all of the tests to become my go-to shoe for summer. It’s the perfect heel height, comes in an assortment of colors, and can easily dress up or down an outfit." —Adrienne Faurote, Fashion Market Assistant

"It’s a cliché, but I’m forever obsessed with the Adidas Superstar shoe, a.k.a. those iconic three-stripe sneakers that everyone wears. (I am, indeed, quite basic.) Right now I’m dragging out the lifespan of my beloved gold-striped pair, which have seen more snow and storms and mud than they were ever intended to, so I’m coveting a new pair for the summer. If it were up to me, these shoes are all I’d wear until it gets cold again." —Jenny Hollander, Deputy Editor

"When I receive packages with too much plastic or stuffing, I cringe thinking about the negative impact my purchases will have on the environment. I want to make a conscious effort to support more eco-friendly fashion brands and particularly love up-and-coming label Taylor + Thomas. Started by two female founders, Jessica Taylor Mead and Elizabeth Thomas James, the brand focuses on luxury footwear made with sustainable/vegan materials sourced from Italy and Japan. This flat stands out from your traditional ballerina styles and has a more cushioned/comfortable insole (made of corn!) for much-needed foot support. Prices might be luxe, but worth it for the quality." —Marina Liao, Fashion Editor

"I love a light-heeled sandal that goes with everything and this fits the bill. What I love about this Nisolo pair, specifically, is that the shoes come from a really responsible company. They're ethically made, meaning their producers get fair trade wages, healthcare, and a clean working environment. Plus, the brand sells direct to consumers, so you're getting what they actually cost without a silly markup. More companies should be like this." —Cady Drell, Senior Culture Editor 

"I love love the rope/braided shoe trend for spring 2019. I need solid ankle support, even for my summer shoes, so I can't do the trendy slide (much to my chagrin—the '90s were my teens, y'all). This is stylish, cruelty free, 100 percent recyclable, and feels like a chic update to the other versions I used to wear, all without being too pricey." —Katherine J. Igoe, Morning News Editor

"This summer the fisherman sandal is back and I can’t wait to wear them a second time around (I’m pretty sure I had an identical version as a kid). I’ll be pairing them with all of my summer dresses or a cropped khaki for the office." —Sara Holzman, Fashion Features Associate

"This summer I really must face up to the fact that my beloved Converse All Star low tops need desperate replacing. While Kristen Stewart can get away with wearing a pair that are white-turned-brown in an effortless rockstar fashion, a mere mortal like myself would just look raggedy. I’ll be investing in a fresh pair because I wear my existing ones to death—they’re the ultimate, classic summer sneaker for anyone who spends sunny days in lazy denim and t-shirts. Although, obviously, I will also be purposefully scuffing them up from day one, because they are so much cooler that way." —Lucy Wood, Morning News Editor

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