As the sunshine makes an appearance and the weather finally heats up, it’s time to start thinking about your summer shoe game. Choosing the right shoes for the season is about staying comfortable whilst still making a fashion statement. With so many options available to find the perfect pair that suits your style and meets your needs, hot girl summer takes a twist when it comes to cooling and comfortable footwear.
The trends this year have varied from toe jewellery sandals, to mesh ballet shoes but some continue to stand out such as flat sandals, sneakers, platform heels and mules that are comfortable, versatile and of course stylish.
In this ladies summer shoe guide, we will explore some of the best summer shoes for women in 2024 and how best to wear them.
Sandals
As summer 2024 approaches, it is time to break out the trendy sandals. They come in many styles such as flat-heeled, wedge, strappy and slingbacks. We could argue that you need several styles for different outfits but if you need one pair of sandals to see you through the summer and several outfits it’s probably best to choose something flat, with slim straps that can be dressed up or down from day to night.
Leather strappy sandals are the ultimate summer shoe and look gorgeous with dresses or trousers, brown leather especially highlights tanned legs and compliments bright summer colours. Leather sandals are soft, comfortable and much less likely to cause blisters when worn all day. They may be a little expensive but will last longer than more synthetic materials and are worth the investment if you can do so.
Lots of sandals are now made from soft and breathable fabrics that make them a lot comfier for everyday wear. High street stores such as River Island, Zara and H&M will always have the latest trends for affordable prices but if you have a little more budget to play with take a look at Crocs or Uggs. They may be well known for their mules but both brands now make summer sandals, they are extremely comfortable and on-trend.
Platform Sandals
Platform or wedge sandals give height with added comfort when compared to regular sandal styles, and make excellent evening shoes. The higher block heel of platform sandals also adds stability and support when walking or standing in them all day. The cushioning is usually made from comfortable materials such as foam, suede, leather, and rubber soles to ensure maximum comfort even after extended wear time. Plus, they come in many colours and designs from casual to dressy so you can choose one that best suits your needs.
These shoes look stylish with long maxi skirts or dresses and will elongate your legs when you wear shorter hemlines. This year raffia materials and caged straps like gladiator or fisherman sandals are popular and you’ll find plenty with wedge or platform soles in all the stores. If you can, get adjustable straps to limit slips which can cause ankle damage.
Trainers
Let’s face it we all love our summer sandals but sometimes comfy trainers are just better suited to our needs. Not always seen as a summer wardrobe essential, a new style of low-key court trainer has become popular to wear with sportswear but also your favourite summer dress or satin skirt.
Not that we are complaining, sporty trainers are one of the most comfortable types of shoe available, made to support your feet with comfy foam or air-cushioned midsoles they provide extra padding that a strappy pair of sandals can’t compete with.
If you want to stay on trend then you will want a pair of Veja textured leather sneakers but with a high price tag of around £150 you may find the Adidas Bonner and SL72’s more in your price range. They come in several muted colours in soft suede that work well with light linens and denim. Try looking on preloved sites such as Vinted if you are on a budget as this style of trainer is very popular and you are bound to find a bargain.
Sliders
Sliders are a stylish and versatile choice for summer footwear, they pretty much go with everything. You may prefer your plastic Adidas slides for around the pool but there are many other styles available.
For an ultra-chic look that works well with almost everything from dresses and skirts to jeans and shorts, you can find sliders in both flat, kitten heel and platform styles in several different fabrics.
Again Raffia or linen is light and summery or leather with metallic accents such as buckles or sequins looks pretty with polished toes and a floaty dress. Paired with the right outfit sliders can elevate a casual day look or add some sparkle to your evening summer outfits.
Mules
Mules are typically open-backed and can come in either flat or heeled varieties. The flat mule has become increasingly popular due to its versatility – it can easily be dressed up or down depending on your needs. This makes them an excellent choice for busy professionals who need a shoe for summer that will transition from day to night with ease.
Heeled mules have also seen a surge in popularity recently, as they offer plenty of style without sacrificing comfort and feel less like wearing slippers.
Birkenstock sandals have been a summer staple for several years now but now many are stepping away from their traditional options to wear their suede clogs. This shoe trend is super comfortable and cool, they are perfect for casual wearing with loose trousers or shorts. Most high street stores have their dupes of the Birkenstock clog so it’s worth shopping around to find ones you like in a more affordable price range.
Espadrilles
These Spanish-style shoes come in a variety of styles, ranging from classic canvas slip-ons to wedge sandals.
They are lightweight with thick soles making them a great choice for hot weather conditions. They are a great option, comfortable enough to wear all day and dance all night in.
Your choice in style is endless, with many brands offering custom designs and unique features such as colourful prints or embellishments like sequins or embroidery. Small ankle straps, wide straps, gold, leather, beads and so much more make these the best sandals to wear with everything from casual outfits to a summer wedding.
Providing good levels of comfort they can dress up the simplest of dresses and are favoured by many celebrities and royalty such as Her Royal Highness Catherine, Princess of Wales, who wears hers throughout the summer months.
Flip-Flops
For pool or beach days a pair of flip-flops are essential and not usually costly so you can splurge on a couple of different colours to mix and match with your swimwear. You may want to wear them around the house a little first to ensure they are comfortable as some made of plastic can be prone to rubbing in between the toes, especially when wet or covered in sand.
Brands such as Fit Flop and Croc offer stylish and comfortable flip-flops that support your soles and are made from soft materials that stop any uncomfortable rubbing.
These lightweight summer shoes offer plenty of style options from classic neutrals to vibrant prints for those wanting something unique.
If you find the classic flip flop style that goes between the toes uncomfortable try a pair with a strap that wraps around the big toe and a second strap across the top of the foot. This style is very popular at the moment and the toe strap is often made of metal to replicate the look of a toe ring. This is a really simple but effective way of dressing up a simple pair of flip-flops.
Gladiators
With a new Gladiator film on the horizon, Gladiator sandals are bound to remain a firm favourite for the next few summers. This classic summer style has several straps that wrap around the ankle and calf. Super feminine, this style of sandal looks great with short dresses and skirts.
Popular back in the early 2000s Gladiators have been re-styled and although the classic elements are still there and perfect for creating the boho fashion vibe that is popular right now, you can also find them in a shorter more chunky style that is similar to the fisherman sandals we’ve seen the last few years.
Try light-coloured Gladiators made with ribbon or cord to complement a floaty Greek Goddess-like outfit or opt for leather sandals with incorporated metallic details such as buckles or studs for a more edgy effect.
Ballet flats
Satin ballet flats were a huge success back in the early noughties, now they’re back and with more options than ever. Many are choosing them as a simple summer shoe which is effortlessly chic and a great alternative to heels. With their flat soles, they can be worn comfortably when running errands or more formally when you’re at the office.
The classic soft leather pumps with a Mary Jane strap across the foot or crisscross elastic look simple and chic with block colour dresses. Or you can find them in several different materials from soft pastel satins to canvas for a lighter shoe more suited to warm weather.
Top tip: Ballet pumps are light, so you can keep a pair in your handbag for emergency evening shoes.
Choosing the best summer shoes can be difficult when there are so many choices but hopefully, we’ve helped narrow down the options for you. It’s worth thinking about what you do most in the summer and seeing which type of shoe will be more practical. It would be nice to have one pair of everything but that’s not always possible so try and stick to one or two styles that will work with everything in your summer wardrobe. Don’t forget there’s always next year when you can add to your collection!
