I’ve Tested Dozens of Summer Work Shoes—These Are the 16 Worth Buying

Spring's cherry red color trend has yet to go sour for me. Still, my strategy to make the ubiquitous tart shade feel less, well, trendy, is to opt for a timeless red slingback heel—like this affordable Sam Edelman pair.

I can't believe I'm coming around to the idea of toes in the workplace—but I am, and Tory Burch is to credit. The brand's pierced slides—a Tory Burch signature, up there with the recently relaunched Reva flats—are crafted from calf leather, lined in Napa leather, and feature a shiny metal ring that makes them significantly more elevated than any other flip-flop.

Butter yellow, you have bewitched my body and soul. Even though the color is trending at an all-time high, I'm confident these Madewell Mary Jane flats will stay in my rotation for years to come because they're closer to beige than bright canary yellow, and they have a simple, rounded toe design that makes them less of a statement.

I've already decided these sleek ballet sneakers will be my summer Friday shoes, styled with a tailored vest and front-pleat trousers. The Mary Jane straps give them a girlish slant that makes them feel more polished than super sporty sneaker.

These are semi-open-toed sandals that I trust completely. Mansur Gavriel is a brand whose quality I trust (so does Katie Holmes), and the ivory leather gives these fisherman sandals a distinctly summery feel.

Mesh flats are another peek-a-toe shoe I've been considering. However, J.Crew's black and bow-detailed pair is a very neutral, safe option to start with—though they also come in very cute cheetah spots if you're more adventurous than I am.

When I need a break from my Puma ballet sneakers on casual workdays, I plan to substitute these white and red Adidas Tokyo shoes (I told you I'm still very into the red as a color trend). They're the perfect work sneaker: comfortable, sleek, and still polished.

Wedge sandals and I have a complicated relationship (too many bad memories from middle school). But I have no issue with a wedge-cum-slingback heel, like this pointed-toe, three-and-three-quarter-inch pair.

A demure peep-toe heel, like Reformation's Winnie pair, ties into today's trends (ICYMI: front-sliced shoes were all over summer's runways and are constants in celebrity street style), but it isn't too much of a try-hard shoe for the office.

Movement-friendly fringe was a constant throughout the Pre-Fall 2025 collections, and this leather-trimmed Prada mule is how I plan to try the trend myself. They are certainly a splurge (as is any high-quality designer shoe), but I know the cost per wear of these easy-to-style slides will pay off.

I've been eyeing the boat shoe trend ever since it washed ashore last fall, but I held off shopping until I felt that the water-ready loafer was right for me. Then came Aritzia's collaboration with Sperry, and now I'm ready to set sail.

You really can't go wrong with a no-fuss, classic cap-toe flat. I'm partial to this ivory and black pair because its neutral color scheme guarantees it will never go out of style or look out of place.

Decorated with high-shine silver studs across the vamp, these heeled mules from Michael Kors make a striking statement without being overly flashy for the workplace. I envision them paired with a black short-sleeve maxi dress and a silver pendant, ideally Juju Vera's shell necklace that I can't get out of my head.

What I love about this Stuart Weitzman slingback is that the open back makes it breathable (a key factor on 82-degree days with high humidity). Still, its streamlined round-toe design and sensible block heel make the shoe unquestionably professional.

I'm also surprised to see jelly sandals on this list. But Emma, you say, your toes will be out and about, visible through the clear polyurethane! All that is true—but J.Crew's pair comes on a sensible block heel, making the childlike silhouette feel much more grown-up. If jellies are good enough for Rihanna, they're good enough for me.

I consider these leopard-spotted summer espadrilles to be a no-fail outfit finisher. Paired with structured linen pants and a matching blazer or a sandy beige cotton-poplin summer dress, these graphic rope-set flats will help an otherwise basic outfit step onto the wild side.