30 Best Summer Shoes If Sandals Aren't Your Thing
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If we’re being honest, sandals aren’t for everyone. Not everyone likes to show off their toes, and some offices or job types—like waitressing or teaching—often require closed-toe shoes. But having your feet covered doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy summer shoes that are trendy and still keep your feet cool.
If you’re not a sandals person, or you’re looking to add some non-sandal shoes for summer to your closet, this list is for you!
Crocs
Price Range: ($ - $$)
Gen-Z has brought Crocs back to the fashion forefront, and we’re not complaining. Crocs are breezy, customizable, and make for comfortable walking shoes. With hundreds of patterns and colors, Crocs can be your everyday summer shoe. You can wear a pair with or without socks, and you can add charms—called Jibbitz—to personalize your Crocs with characters, foods, and designs you love. One of the best things about Crocs in the summer is that you can rinse them off with a hose after any adventure to clean away sand, mud, and dirt.
Our Favorites:
Image: Amazon
Tie Dye Clogs
Crocs
Image: Amazon
Classic Clog
Crocs
Image: Amazon
Animal Print Clog
Crocs
Huaraches
Price Range: ($ - $$$)
Huaraches are a sandal-like shoe with flat bottoms made from woven leather. You can find them in a range of stores, though high-quality pairs tend to wear better over time and are more comfortable. The Nisolo Huaraches come in several leather shades and they pair well with everything from a summer dress to a pair of cutoff jean shorts. Huaraches are great for pool or beach days because they are breathable and easy to shake sand out of. Since they’re flat, they also work as comfortable summer shoes for walking.
Image: Amazon
Mexican Huaraches
Fiesta Brands
Image: Nisolo
Huarache Sandal Bone
Nisolo
Image: Anthropologie
Bits N’ Pieces Woven Flats
Seychelles
Platform Sneakers
Price Range: ($$ - $$$)
Summer is a time for outdoor adventure and sneakers can be your best friend for everything from hiking to shopping to traveling. Wearing platform sneakers adds a bit of oomph to any outfit and transforms what may be an athletic look into an athleisure look. Our top pick for platform sneakers are the Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Platform Sneakers, which are a recognizable, practical, and trendy shoe. The platform gives you a boost but isn’t too high, so you can enjoy all your favorite activities in style.
Image: Nike
Image: Amazon
Canvas Walking Flats
ADOKOO
Image: Nordstrom
Chuck Taylor High Top Platforms
Converse
Flats
Price Range: ($ - $$$)
Flats are an easy shoe to wear all year round, and the summertime poses an opportunity to wear bright and bold flats. I love having a pair on hand for days when I go into a shared office or need to look more put together. Flats are versatile though, and they tend to be comfortable for long bouts of standing and walking. You can find flats just about anywhere, but we recommend Rothy’s flats for a sustainable option and Lulus’ shoes for more affordable and patterned pairs.
Image: Lulus
Image: Rothy’s
Dragon Fruit Slides
Rothy’s
Image: Amazon
Bow Tie Ballet Flats
Sailing Lu
Clogs
Price Range: ($$ - $$$)
Clogs are a well-loved shoe among many trendsetters, and their rustic yet polished look is the perfect addition to a summery outfit. Wear clogs with trousers and a crop top, a ruffled dress, or with a graphic tee and mini skirt—you name the outfit and clogs will complement it. Plus, the clog style comes in a wide range of materials and finishes, such as suede and leather.
Image: Free People
Suki Wooden Platform Clogs
Free People
Image: Zappos
Camdin Raffia Clogs
Dolce Vita
Image: Zappos
Immia Clog
Lucky Brand
Mules
Price Range: ($ - $$$)
Mules are similar to flats but your foot slides in and your heel is exposed, like many slipper styles. Mules are a great shoe for running errands or wearing to the office without sacrificing comfort and practicality. You can find simple mules that are one color, or shop for pairs that have bright, eye-catching patterns.
Image: Lulus
Image: Zappos
Phoebe Woven Mule
Birdies
Image: Madewell
Caps Basket Mule
Intentionally Blank
Loafers
Price Range: ($$ - $$$)
Loafers are a pair of cute summer shoes that you can wear to the office or to the cafe, and they pair perfectly with other Gen-Z revived styles, like wide-leg trousers and thrifted vests. Loafers are easy to find in thrift stores, especially a good pair of loafers that are worn in and a tad bit scuffed. If you’re looking for a new pair, consider how shiny and how fancy you want them to be, and consider how often you’ll wear them, because a new pair might be worth splurging on. A brown or black pair will match most outfits, but you can always opt for something less traditional for a bold shoe statement.
Image: Everlane
Gum Sole Penny Loafer
Everlane
Image: Nordstrom
Lyra Lug Sole Loafer
Free People
Image: Madewell
Whitney Penny Loafers
Madewell
Birkenstock Boston (and the like)
Price Range: ($ - $$)
If there’s a summer shoe that gives some coverage to your foot but makes you still feel like a homebody, it’s the Birkenstock Boston style. The slip-on mule is a step above slippers and I’ve been seeing them everywhere, from my Instagram feed to the farmer’s market. The soft footbed is comfortable and the suede is lightweight. The Boston style—as well as similar styles from other brands—typically come in a few neutral shades like brown, taupe, beige, and black. And for the maximalists, we did find a patterned version from Free People, available at Lulus.
Image: Free People
Milo Everyday Woven Mules
FP Collection
Image: Free People
Jacey Clogs
Circus NY
Image: Nordstrom
Boston Soft Footbed Clog
Birkenstock
Jelly Shoes
Price Range: ($ - $$)
Another Y2K trend that’s back in style is the infamous jelly shoe, which you may have evidence of in baby photos or family videos. Thankfully, these fun styles are now being made in adult sizes and a range of colors, including glittery, metallic shades. Most jelly shoes are a Mary Jane style with gaps between each strip. The trendy summer shoes are plastic but breathable, due to the many openings, and you can wear them with sheer socks or simply slip them on and go.
Image: Free People
Blaire Jelly Sandals
Dr. Martens
Image: Amazon
Jelly Combat Fisherman Sandal
Katy Perry
Image: Amazon
T-Strap Slingback Flats
Amazon
Vans
Price Range: ($ - $$)
Vans are some of my favorite types of shoes, and they’re extremely popular with surfers, skaters, and people of all genders. Vans shoes are typically unisex, so you can shop a wide range of styles and colors to find the right look for you. One of the most popular Vans styles is the Checkered Slip-Ons, which are easy to take on and off for a quick out-the-door shoe. I recommend Vans Authentics, which are lightweight tennis shoes.
Image: Vans
Image: Vans
Image: Nordstrom