Summer Shoes You Need to Brave the Scorching Heat
The summer season is an excellent time to update your footwear collection. There’s a warm-weather shoe for every occasion, whether you’re headed to the office, packing for vacation, or getting ready for date night. You’ll find a shoe to coordinate with every summer outfit, whether you love wearing skirts or capri pants. Keep reading for our best summer shoe picks:
Ballet Flats
If you want versatile women's summer shoes that go with virtually anything, you want the ballet flat. It comes in a wide variety of colors to match every outfit. If you’re not sure which hue to choose, black is always a good choice for footwear because it coordinates with every other color. You’ll find ballet flats crafted from premium materials, such as leather and suede, which are durable and have an elegant appearance. For the most comfortable fit, look for ballet flats with an elastic edge.
There are so many outfits with which to wear ballet flats. Slip them on with your favorite skinny jeans and a billowy tunic top for an on-trend look, or wear them with a maxi skirt and blouse for classic sophistication. No matter how you wear them, you’ll love the comfort and versatility of this flat shoe.
Sling-Back Mules
The sling-back mule is a casual warm-weather shoe that’s perfect for showing off your pedicure. This open-toe footwear style has a strap around the heel, which keeps it from sliding. For a look that can go from day to night, choose a sling-back mule with a low to medium heel. When it comes to material, you can’t go wrong with a leather or suede upper in a fashion-forward color like pewter, coral, or hazelnut.
For a retro-inspired look, wear a pair of sling-back mules with high-rise jeans. For a look that’s more modern, coordinate them with jeggings and a tunic top. This shoe also looks great with summer dresses, whether you prefer floaty, boho-style maxi dresses or knee-length fit-and-flare dresses.
Wedge Sandals
Another type of summer footwear you can wear with most dresses is the wedge sandal. They come in various styles, colors, and materials. For the most comfortable and versatile summer wear, look for sandals made with natural materials like jute, cotton, and linen.
Wedges provide the height of a heel with greater stability, and they have a breezy, casual look that’s great for a day spent shopping and sightseeing or an evening at a beachfront restaurant. You don’t have to wear them with a dress, of course. Wedge sandals go equally well with shorts, skorts, or capri pants.
Slip-On Loafers
Accent casual or dressy outfits with a pair of loafers. The slip-on design lets you slide your feet into these shoes and go. To keep your feet comfortable all day, choose loafers with a breathable footbed made from cushiony foam. A textured rubber outsole is another feature to look for, as it helps you keep a firm footing on every surface.
Some summer shoes are too casual for the office, but not the loafer. You can wear these shoes with slacks, skirts, and dresses — especially if you opt for traditional material, such as performance leather or suede. They’re not just for work, however. You can also wear loafers with weekend wear, such as cotton capri pants and tunic tops.
All-Weather Sandals
If you plan to walk a lot this summer, you need a durable shoe that supports your feet. Enter the all-weather sandal — a summer footwear option that looks like a sandal but performs like a sneaker. This shoe has an open design, which lets air flow freely to keep feet cool. You’ll find open- and closed-toe styles of all-weather sandals. Many have plush EVA footbeds, which help absorb shock from walking on various types of terrain.
This sandal style can be worn with shorts or cropped pants. For example, you could wear all-weather sandals with women’s Bermuda shorts and a T-shirt, or with capri pants and a blouse. They could even be paired with yoga pants or cropped yoga pants for an ultra-casual look that’s also comfortable.
Water Shoes and Flip-Flops
Every summer footwear collection needs a pair of water shoes. This shoe has a gentle stretch, so it hugs the contours of your foot. It’s designed to wear in and around the water, with a non-slip sole and fast-drying upper. Wear water shoes with your swimsuit to keep your feet protected while swimming or wear them after you get out of the water so the sand or concrete doesn’t burn your feet.
Flip-flops are another shoe you’ll want to own this summer. They’re ideal for taking on vacation because they’re light and packable. You can wear flip-flops with a swimsuit or casual apparel — pair them with a cover-up dress for a trip to the beachfront cafe. Some flip-flops are made with recycled materials, making them an eco-friendly footwear option.
As you can see, there’s a summer shoe to match every outfit. Explore the range of warm-weather footwear options to find what works best for you.