The Summer Flats I’m Wearing All Season Long
From ballet slippers to thong sandals.
Flats have never quite worked for me. Despite my best efforts, most pairs lead to blisters, offer little support for long days, and often compromise my style. At my height, they also tend to throw off proportions.
However, I’ve recently found a few flats that actually pass the test: styles I can wear on set, walk in for hours, take into meetings, and rely on during days where I’m doing everything at once.
As we move into the longest days of summer, these are the ones that will hold up all season long.
The Sandal: Gewls Chiara Flat
Designed in New York and made in Italy, the Gewls Chiara Flat is new to the scene but already a constant in my closet. The brand also recently launched an incredible new heel. I styled the pair seen below for a full uptown museum day with a Harris Tapper dress—they are currently having a Moda Operandi trunk show—and a Cordera wood-beaded mini bag.
The Thong: Havaianas Slim Flip-Flops
There are plenty of beautiful flip-flops on the market, but the classic Havaianas Slims make their way into every summer suitcase I pack for a reason. They’re resilient, timeless, and somehow still hard to beat
The Wedge: Ancient Greek Sandals Charys Suede Wedge Thong
Breaking the rules slightly here, but these deserve honorary flat status. Ancient Greek's Charys sandals give me just enough height without sacrificing comfort. At five feet, four inches tall, I appreciate anything that subtly shifts proportions in summer dressing.
The Jazz Slipper: Jamie Haller Jazz
As I wrote in my Paris coverage of spring trend predictions, the jazz slipper remains one of my favorite silhouettes for both men and women. Jamie Haller’s version feels glove-like in the best way: soft, flexible, and remarkably easy to wear. I’ve been enjoying the classic white latte colorway, though the new red feels especially fun too.
The Mule: A.Emery Spencer Mule
A classic black leather mule is one of the most dependable staples in a wardrobe. Minimal and easy, the A.Emery Spencer Mule is the pair I reach for on set when I need something polished that can slip on and off throughout the day.
The Loafer: Herbert Levine Soft Touch 30 Leather Loafers
I had to include a loafer, perhaps the category of flat I wear most. I’ve built up quite a collection over the years (a conversation better saved for fall), but these Italian-made Herbert Levine loafers stand out for how supple they are. The soft leather eliminates the dreaded break-in period, which feels especially brutal during summer.
The Mesh Bootie: Dear Frances Balla Bootie
I can’t get enough of the Dear Frances Balla Bootie. I own both the mesh and leather versions and have never once gotten a blister from either pair. I like styling them with soft draped trousers tucked slightly into booties to create more shape through the leg. I’ve worn them all over Paris, Rome, and New York, and they still feel new every time I put them on.
Seen below, I styled them with the Kye Intimates’ Recline Pant, Issey Miyake’s Madame-T Scarf, and Le Sundial’s Ines Necklace.
The Ballet Flat: Essen Foundational Flat
Those who have been on this journey with me for a while will recognize these shoes as my gateway flat, the pair that convinced me I could wear ballet flats without discomfort. I love the black patent version; something about them feels almost like a tap shoe in the best way.
I'll often pair them with an Agolde x Maria McManus black poplin shirt, Tom Ford sunglasses, and Pleats Please pants (which I always size up in).
Still Lusting Over
Phoebe Philo’s Gathered Leather Ballet Flats remain firmly on my wish list.
VIP Add-On: The Shoe Kit
Years of styling have turned me into someone who customizes almost every pair of shoes I own, especially for long days or evenings out. Here are a few essentials I swear by:
- Foot Petals' Gel Ball-of-Foot & Arch Cushions for more arch support.
- Foot Petals’ 3-Pack Back-of-Heel Cushions to soften the break-in period.
- Dr. Scholl’s Blister Block bandages for when it’s already too late.
