Zara
Twenty pairs of heels. That's what I counted last spring when I finally faced my closet. Twenty! Most worn maybe twice, all bought in that dangerous mood where you convince yourself this pair will somehow transform your entire summer. You know what I realized? I'd been collecting shoes like they were Pokemon cards—gotta catch 'em all, zero strategy involved. Total chaos.
So this summer? Complete 180.
Good collection is not just a pile of shoes. In a well-curated shoe wardrobe, there are shoes for any weather and any occasion. Instagram/@jeffreycampbell
And here's the thing that surprised me: the trends are actually supporting this whole "buy less, choose better" moment I'm having. Because summer 2025... it's not about owning every possible shoe anymore. It's about having the right ones. The ones you'll actually wear.
Think of your shoe wardrobe as casting a movie. Each pair needs to play a specific role, have its own vibe, earn its keep. So. Seven essential shoe energies are basically running the show this season—but honestly, figuring out which ones work for YOUR actual life? That's the real game-changer.
The Soft Power Flat: When Comfort Becomes Currency
When it comes to everyday shoes, comfort (and by that I mean padded sole) is negotiable. Tuckernuck shoes
Oh god, those paper-thin ballet flats from 2008. Remember those? We all owned them. We all pretended they didn't feel like walking on cardboard. Thank goodness we've collectively come to our senses. This summer's hero flat shoes are so pillowy they make clouds jealous, but disguised as sophisticated footwear.
The Anatomy of Today's Power Flat:
The most comfortable shoes are the ones that secretly slippers — cushioned and soft inside. Instagram/@vivaia_official
- The Sole Situation: We're talking 15-20mm of cushioning hidden inside what looks like a sleek silhouette. Think memory foam meets architectural design.
- Materials That Matter: Okay, we're getting buttery leathers (the kind that feel illegal they're so soft), these genius washable knits, and—wait for it—"breathable suede." I know. Sounds fake. It's not. It's basically witchcraft and I'm obsessed.
- The Shape Shift: Almond toes that somehow make your feet look longer without the pinching drama. Or those softly pointed ones that feel current but not trying-too-hard. My favorite though? This new "barely-there" toe shape... like, just rounded enough that you won't look like you time-traveled from 2003, but still sophisticated.
Real-World Application:
Who needs high heels when there are flats? Instagram/@heavenlyjelly
Start your morning in these for the commute, keep them on through dinner. The best versions handle everything from concrete sidewalks to surprise rainstorms. Look for brands like Aeyde or Mansur Gavriel if you're feeling spendy. But honestly? COS has been killing it lately. & Other Stories too. Like, suspiciously good for the price.
The Reality Check: Listen. If you're only buying one thing this summer, this is it. I'm serious. These flats will literally carry you through basically everything. 80% of your life, minimum.
The Maximalist Clog: Chaos, But Make It Chic
Iris Apfel used to say: "More is more, and less is bore!". Anthropologie
Here's where summer 2025 gets interesting. While minimalism dominates most fashion conversations, footwear is having its maximalist moment—specifically through clogs that look like they've been bedazzled by an enthusiastic art student with unlimited access to a craft store.
What Makes a Maximalist Clog:
That's what we call fashion chaos: crocs and Swarovski collab. Instagram/@crocs
- Platform Heights: 2-4 inches of carved wood or lightweight foam
- Surface Treatment: Think hand-painted swirls, embedded crystals, unexpected textures like cork mixed with metallic leather
- The Strap Situation: Multiple straps, asymmetric designs, or hardware that looks borrowed from expensive handbags
Making the Bold Wearable:
The recipe is simple: one statement pair of shoes and simple, neutral base — like denim. Free People
The trick is opposition. Pair these attention-seekers with your most understated pieces—a simple linen dress, straight-leg jeans and a white tee, or even (stay with me) tailored shorts and a silk shirt. The shoes become the punctuation mark. Not the whole sentence.
Where to Find Them: Swedish Hasbeens if you're a purist (and have the budget). Anthropologie for maximum whimsy. Or hit up local artisan markets. Support small creators, get something nobody else has. Win-win.
The Barely-There Sandal: Architecture for Your Feet
Naked sandals have been around for a while, but this season they finally don't require heels to become a statement. Zara
So if maximalist clogs are the loud friend at the party, barely-there sandals are... what? Their mysterious, speaks-three-languages, possibly-a-spy cousin. These things are so minimal they're basically just geometric lines that somehow keep your foot attached to a sole.
And that's the whole point.
The Engineering Behind "Less":
The goal of barely-there sandals is to create illusion of a bare foot. Instagram/@loefflerrandall
- Strap Placement: This is where it gets good. One diagonal line across your foot. Maybe some asymmetric ankle action. Those toe loops that look like they'll slip right off but somehow... don't? Magic. Pure magic.
- Materials: We're talking vegetable-tanned leathers that'll age like fine wine. Recycled rubber soles that actually grip stuff. Sometimes you'll get this random pop of color in the hardware—like a secret only you know about.
- The Heel Question: Either completely flat or a modest 40mm block—and everything in between
The Investment Piece Argument:
From a stylist perspective, barely-there sandals are a good investment: they'll look timeless even in 10 years. This pair is by Emme Parsons
These are the shoes that will look better in three years than they do today. They're the opposite of trend-chasing; they're trend-transcending. ATP Atelier, Studio Amelia, and The Row are doing beautiful versions, but Zara and Mango have surprisingly solid options under $50.
The Athletic Hybrid: When Your Yoga Mat Meets Your Social Calendar
If you've never heard of sneakerina, let me introduce you: it's sneakers + ballet-inspired hybrid. Charles & Keith
This is where summer 2025 gets really honest with itself. The athletic hybrid? It's not pretending to be anything other than what it is: a performance shoe that just happens to look cute with a sundress.
It's basically admitting that yeah, you're gonna walk 15,000 steps today. And no, you don't need to destroy your feet to look good doing it.
Key Features of the New Athletic:
If you can't say for sure if there are summer shoes or sneakers in front of you, probably you deal with a hybrid — like these Valentino ones. By the way, they call them ballerina sneakers (=sneakerina) and the fabric part is 100% silk. Valentino
- Technical Textiles: Moisture-wicking meshes, antibacterial linings, and soles borrowed from actual running shoes
- Color Stories: Either completely tonal (cream on cream on cream) or unexpected combinations like sage green with electric coral
- The Silhouette: Not quite a sneaker, not quite a fashion shoe. Like... sleeker than your gym shoes but chunkier than those minimalist trainers everyone was into five minutes ago.
Get ready to see those shoe hybrids everywhere soon. Those boxing-inspired... sneakers? boots? are a part of Celine Spring-Summer 2026 collection. Instagram/@celine
Shopping Strategy: Start with the big athletic brands when they're trying to be fashionable—Nike's collab stuff is usually solid. That Stella McCartney Adidas line. Or go for the newer kids like Veja (those V's everywhere) or Thousand Fell if you're feeling virtuous about sustainability.
The Sculptural Mule: Art You Can Walk In
Now, let's talk real showstoppers. Instagram/@izie.official
Every summer needs its conversation starter, and 2025's version is the sculptural mule. These aren't shoes. Let's be real. They're tiny sculptures that you somehow wear on your feet while navigating hot concrete. Wild.
What Qualifies as "Sculptural":
Piercing in the shoes? Inverted heel? Absolutely wild and we are here for it! Instagram/@toryburch
- Heel Architecture: We're seeing spheres (yes, ball-shaped heels), triangular cut-outs that make zero sense structurally, these cantilevered situations that genuinely look like they're breaking the laws of physics
- Unexpected Proportions: Square toes so oversized they extend past your actual foot. Platforms that jut out at weird angles. It's... a lot. In the best way.
- Material Mixing: This is where designers go full mad scientist. Lucite + wood. Metal + raffia. Leather + resin. Combinations that shouldn't work but absolutely do.
The Confidence Factor:
Remember: the confidence opens any doors. Cult Gaia
Look, these require a specific energy. You can't wear these apologetically. You wear them BECAUSE they look insane. Because sometimes you want your shoes to start conversations before you even open your mouth, you know?
Practical Considerations: Plot twist—the good ones are actually pretty stable. Rubber sole attachments are your friend. And maybe keep it under 3 inches if you plan on, like, actually walking places.
The Refined Flip-Flop: Redemption Arc of the Century
In summer 2025, flip-flops officially transitioned from beachwear to urban shoes. Mango
Okay. Flip-flops. For summer 2025. I KNOW. But hear me out—before you picture those $3 rubber things from CVS, these have had a complete glow-up. We're talking flip-flops that could theoretically show up to a business meeting and nobody would bat an eye.
(Would I recommend it? Probably not. Could you pull it off? With the right pair, absolutely.)
The New Rules:
New flip-flops look premium even if they are not. H&M
- Leather Only: And not just any leather. Vegetable-tanned, butter-soft, maybe some subtle croc-embossing if you're feeling fancy
- Minimal Hardware: If there's a logo, you shouldn't see it from space. Embossed, not emblazoned. Subtle is the whole vibe here.
- The Sole Story: These aren't your beach flip-flops. Leather-wrapped footbeds, actual cushioning, edges finished like they're trying to be luxury goods. Because they kind of are?
Changing the Narrative:
Kylie Jenner wearing viral $650 The Row flip-flops. Backgrid
The styling is where this gets fun. Tailored linen pants? Yes. Your fanciest sundress? Absolutely. With a blazer? I mean... fashion loves a high-low moment right now, so why not?
Where to Invest: Hermès if you've mysteriously inherited money from a distant relative. ATP Atelier for beautiful quality without the second mortgage. St. Agni if minimalism is your religion.
The Evening Flat: Because Heel Culture Is Optional
How do evening flats differ from regular casual flats? They're just a bit fancier and more fun. Kate Spade
The final essential energy for summer 2025 is perhaps the most revolutionary: evening shoes without suffering. The evening flat has evolved from "shoes to change into" to "shoes you choose first."
What Makes Them "Evening":
Flats in silver laminated nappa leather? Count them as evening. Aeyde
- Embellishment Without Excess: Think single crystal details, metallic finishes that catch light, or textures like crushed velvet
- Pointed Toes: Creating length and elegance without height
- Ankle Interest: Delicate straps, subtle cut-outs, or back details that photograph beautifully
The Mindset Shift:
Crystals instantly elevate any pair of shoes to red carpet status. Instagram/@rogervivier
Here's the thing—these aren't compromise shoes. They're confidence shoes. Like, "I'm interesting enough without adding five inches, thanks." They're for people who want to actually dance at weddings. Who prioritize not limping home. Revolutionary, right?
Your Summer Shoe Strategy
The best shoes are not the most beautiful or the most expensive, but the ones you reach for most often. Instagram/@sam_edelman
Here's the truth: you don't need all seven energies. Start by honestly assessing your summer life:
- Always on the go? Prioritize the Soft Power Flat and Athletic Hybrid
- Love making statements? The Maximalist Clog and Sculptural Mule are calling
- Minimalist at heart? Barely-There Sandals and Refined Flip-Flops will serve you well
- Social butterfly? Don't skip the Evening Flat
The 3-5-7 Rule:
To keep yourself from impulse shopping, make the most functional shoes your priority. Instagram/@birkenstockusa
- 3 pairs: The absolute minimum for a functional summer (one flat, one sandal, one wild card)
- 5 pairs: The ideal balance for variety without excess
- 7 pairs: Only if each serves a distinct purpose in your actual life
Budget Allocation:
Spend the most on whatever you'll wear constantly. That's probably your everyday flat and one really good sandal. The trend pieces, like those sculptural mules, can be cheaper. They're supposed to be fun, not forever.
The Final Step
Every journey of thousand miles begins with a fabulous pair of shoes. Instagram/@jeffreycampbell
Look. Summer 2025 shoe trends aren't some rigid rulebook you have to follow. They're more like options. Good options that actually make sense for real life.
Whether you're the person with one perfect pair of sandals (respect) or someone whose shoe closet has its own zip code (also respect), what matters is that you're choosing intentionally.
After all, summer is all about fun! Instagram/@kurtgeiger
The test? Ask yourself: Does this shoe solve an actual problem in my life? Does it make me happy? Can I wear it for longer than it takes to post a story?
Two out of three? You're golden.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to practice what I preach and finally decide between the pointy flats in butter yellow or sage green. (Let's be honest though. The answer is obviously both. I have learned nothing.)
