These 8 Summer 2026 Shoe Trends Are the Only Ones Fashion People Care About

As you begin planning your summer wardrobe—what your fashion priorities will be, the vibe you want to project, and the new pieces you need—consider working from the feet up. The right thong sandal or flirty mule can set the tone for the season—whether you’ll tackle warm-weather style the CBK way, with an outwardly fabulous, more-is-more approach, or with a different strategy entirely. The biggest Summer 2026 shoe trends are a particularly smart starting point, as designers zeroed in on eight distinct silhouettes, each with its own aesthetic and POV.

That’s not to say the footwear from the Pre-Fall 2026 collections reinvented the wheel; rather, brands remixed shoe trends that have historically performed well and are rooted in timelessness. Case in point: the wide assortment of high-vamp flats. The simple V-neck flat appeared at Kallmeyer in crinkled gold leather, at Ganni in cherry red and covered in studs, and again at Rag & Bone in porous black mesh, a smart option for beach-bum days. Those who prefer no-frills footwear will be partial to the thin strappy sandals that drew on ‘90s minimalism; Fforme’s were flip-flops, Christopher Esber’s were kitten slingbacks, and Stella McCartney’s were three-strapped high heels, but each was easy to imagine Sarah Pidgeon wearing on FX’s Love Story.

Enough of the preamble. Ahead, we’ve highlighted eight of these distinct summer shoe trends that’ll put you in a position to start the season on the right foot. Your summer style refresh starts now.

A '90s Spirit

There's a reason minimal black strappy sandals are an immortal summer staple. The neutral, no-brainer shoe works with almost any outfit combination you can think of: with capris à la Christopher Esber, with a dark midi dress at Fforme, or with formal eveningwear, as shown at Stella McCartney and Missoni.

High-Vamp Flats

Let's hear it for the not-so-humble anymore high-vamp flat. Platforming them for this summer was a smart move by the designers, given the shoe's whopping success this spring. As was rendering the fuller-coverage flat in more than just neutral leather; take a cue from Kallmeyer, Ganni, or TWP, and pick your favorite color or metallic, and go from there.

Cherry Bomb

No color can pack a punch quite like red. Designers are well aware of the shade's power and used it to their advantage across the Pre-Fall 2026 season. Chanel's cherry red and black cap-toe heels were instant hits among the fashion set—so much so that, during Paris Fashion Week, Chanel stores turned into Hunger Games, the luxury shopping edition. Elsewhere, pointed-toe pumps and open-back clogs in juicy red were a fine lesson on the art of the color pop.

Thick Flops

In direct contrast to the aforementioned '90s-era barely-there sandals, thick-strapped flip-flops also stepped into the Summer 2026 spotlight. Manifesting in puffy leather (Staud and Simkahi tie for the lead here) and chunky, close-to-the-foot straps (Rag & Bone's Gracie pair is already selling out across retailers), designers were smart not to forget about shoppers who want a sandal with more of a statement.

Open Mules

It's sun's out, toes out season—of course, designers will dream up every possible way to present pedicure-front footwear. This time around, open-front mules join the likes of standard flip-flops and flat sandals. Dior's logoed leather pumps and Chanel's bejeweled two-strapped sandals are sure bets for seasonal front-runners.

To a T

Just as you can surely expect a slate of boots on fall runways, warm-weather collections always showcase a gamut of sandal trends that iterate on silhouette, materials, and aesthetic. Almost unanimously, brands decided T-strapped shapes deserved some love. High-heeled T-strapped sandals like Chanel and Rachel Comey's are perfect for a black-tie summer wedding, while a flat sandal like Kallmeyer's will do you well on off-duty weekends.

Square Toe

Sharp, angular, and a smidge subversive, square-toe silhouettes replace pointed and rounded styles this season. Keep it casual with a square-front sandal—both kitten-heeled and flat to the ground work here—or opt for a professional ballet flat or slip-on mule you can integrate into a summer work outfit.

Kitten Wedge

Unlike the bohemian wooden wedge sandals that have clomped down recent runways at Chloé and Ulla Johnson, Summer 2026 drastically pares back the chock-heeled silhouette. The proposed wedges for this season are only one to three inches max off the ground, which plants them firmly in the more demure category of kitten heels. Oh, and a welcome bonus from their redesign: this summer's low wedge sandals are easier to walk in than a '70s-inspired clog that can't handle cobblestone streets.