22 of the Best Summer Shoes to Add to Your Wardrobe
Comfy sandals, narrow feet, wide feet and weddings all covered.
Before I sat down to write this summer shoe edit, I jumped into my subscriber chat to ask what readers were struggling with. Overwhelmingly, the responses were for comfortable flats and sandals you could walk around all day in (you are my people).
But there was also a need for shoes that would suit wide feet — and narrow. Heels that felt fancy and “statement” enough for a summer wedding, but could be worn on less dressy occasions, too. An ask for sandals that don’t have open toes. And a desire for flats that give your feet support, without looking like they give your feet support.
I’ve narrowed down my search to 22 of the best. Below, you’ll find everyday sandals chosen for their versatility and wearability. Low heels for when you want a little extra height, but your days of wearing vertiginous stilettos are behind you. Shoes that will fit all kinds of feet. And a smattering of sculptural(ish) heels for those big events in the diary.
Everyday sandals
One of the requests I got in my subscriber chat was for sandals with closed toes, and I get it. Sometimes it’s not quite warm enough for an exposed toe. Sometimes we just can’t be bothered to paint our toenails. Both are very valid reasons for a sandal that covers a little more. This crossover suede pair from Parisian brand Jacques Solovière (shipping worldwide) is the perfect balance between a full shoe and a sandal, and offers an alternative to fisherman sandals. They also come with a double-padded insole, for a nice little treat for your feet.
…Not that I don’t love fisherman sandals — this pair included. These shoes are crafted in Puglia by Italian brand Fracap, each one finished by hand using techniques passed down through generations. They have a relatively chunky rubber sole (always a good sign of comfort) and, according to reviewers, they can be worn all day and still feel comfortable. I love the deep wine colour of this pair, but if you want something more classic, they also come in dark olive.
Another pair of closed-toe sandals, although these are crafted in soft woven leather and are handmade in Spain (international shipping available). The result is a pair of sandals that appear more delicate than those listed above, but the leather and quality of the craftsmanship mean they’ll last for years.
I’ve spoken about these sandals a LOT (you may recognise them from my round-up of the 20 best wardrobe essentials). I bought them three summers ago, and I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve worn them since. They have a moulded (read: comfortable) footbed, suede straps that criss-cross the foot, and a gold buckle on the ankle strap to keep everything in place.
AKA, the Olsens’ favourite sandal. I finally bought a pair last week (I’m not sure what took me so long), and let’s just say, MK and A are onto something (no surprise there). They’re really lightweight but sturdy, they’re comfortable and secure, and they’re the kind of shoe that goes with everything. I had to adjust the straps quite a bit as they were tight at the front of the foot and loose at the back when they arrived. It’s worth taking a bit of time to move the straps around, and once you do, they should fit perfectly.
Comfy flats
I love a clog. My Birkenstock Bostons are my ‘around the house’ shoes, but I have been considering getting a pair for outdoor use, too. Like Birkenstock, this pair from Rothy’s has a contoured footbed for comfort and support, but they’re made from a summer-friendly hemp and cotton blend AND you can put them in the wash if and when they get dirty.
How cute are these! Italian brand Vibi Venezia has taken the classic Mary Jane and added a big bow to the strap across the foot. They’d make a great option for a ‘fancy’ (but comfy) flat for weddings or parties this summer, and the bow can be removed for a more traditional style too.
You really need to see these flats in the flesh. Buttery. Soft. They slide onto the feet and almost feel like you’re wearing nothing at all — in the best way possible. They’re a classic round ballet flat shape, and in this ‘moka’ shade, they’ll go with everything.
To anyone who’s ever asked about the Wales Bonner x adidas ‘Japan’ trainers I wear a lot, this style is very similar. They’re slim, they have a low profile, and they’re inspired by running shoes from the ‘70s. In essence, they’re light and comfortable — my pair get a lot of wear in summer when I want a break from sandals. Plus, nothing says summer like that bright sky blue.
Low heels
When I say low heel… I mean low. This particular heel is a very sensible (and wearable) 3.5cm, so they could absolutely be worn in daytime as well as in the evening. They’re made from dark brown suede, have a delicate ankle strap, and have two bands around the toe (one wide, one narrow). Simple yet elegant — and a versatile addition to any spring and summer wardrobe.
An even lower heel! These calf hair slingbacks from Spanish brand Augusta have a kitten heel of 2cm. They have an elegant, timeless shape with a pointed toe, and just enough of a lift that it won’t feel as though you’re wearing a pair of flats. I love this chocolate colour for a wear-with-everything shade, but they also come in beige if you’re looking for a lighter-coloured shoe.
Another contender from the undisputed shoe queen that is Emme Parsons. I’ve had these kitten heels (again, these are just 3.5cm high) on my mood board for at least a year, but I know in my heart of hearts that my lifestyle doesn’t currently lend itself to this elegant of a shoe. There’s something very old-school about this style, but the deep V-cut vamp makes them contemporary too. They come in classic black suede or gold leather if you’re feeling a little fancy.
The highest of my ‘low heel’ round-up, these heels come in at 5cm. But they’re probably the sturdiest too, with a block heel, thick ankle strap with adjustable buckle fastening, and cotton caged sides with a strip of leather on top. These would be great for daytime or garden parties when you need a heel that definitely won’t sink into the grass.
Sculptural(ish) heels
I had a pretty niche request from a reader in my subscriber chat. It was for a pair of shoes to wear to a late summer wedding at a very classic estate. She loved the drama of Cult Gaia shoes but wanted something she could wear for other occasions too. So, enter… sculptural(ish) heels. This pair from Flattered has minimal black straps across the foot. So far, so classic. But the heel? Two gold balls stacked on top of each other, for a little flair.
This pair from Vancouver-based LUCASHEVA isn’t too dissimilar from the Flattered pair above. Two minimalist straps, with a sculptural heel. But they’re made from bold red leather, which makes them more ‘statement’ and this time, the heel comes in the form of an hourglass shape. The heel is 5.5cm high, too, so they’d be easy to wear with trousers or your more casual pieces on other occasions.
With these shoes, the sculptural(ish) element comes at the top of the foot, rather than the heel. Two knotted velvet straps frame the foot, bringing a touch of shape and volume without it feeling too much. The heel comes in at a neat 3.5cm, too.
Shoes for wide feet
I’m sure most of us have owned a pair of Keds’ original lace-ups. I have a white pair I’ve owned for years, and I often wear them in summer as a lighter alternative to “regular” trainers. This style comes in white, black, grey, navy and red (which I love for a pop of colour). The best bit? They come in four widths: slim, regular, wide, and extra wide.
This is another pair of shoes I’ve mentioned a lot. I got them a couple of summers ago and have worn them on almost every hot day since. They’re classic, they go with everything, and that ankle strap is nice and supportive. One of the best things about them? You can mould them to your feet so they fit as well as they should. Pop them in a sink filled with water (they’re waterproof, so don’t be shy) and then put them on and walk around in them until they’re dry. They’ll fit your feet, no matter how wide or narrow they are.
These suede mules have a contoured footbed and a natural rubber sole, making them comfortable, flexible and supportive (just read the reviews… most wearers call them the most comfortable shoes ever with little-to-no breaking in). These would look great with dresses or linen trousers in summer, and will probably see you through autumn too. For wide feet, it’s recommended you go up a size.
Shoes for narrow feet
I wouldn’t say I have particularly wide feet, but let’s just say that when I went into the St. Agni store in Byron Bay a few years ago to try on some sandals, it was… a struggle. I could just about get my toes into most of them. I eventually found a pair of slides that accommodated my whole foot, but I didn’t exactly have my pick of the store. So if you have narrow feet, make a beeline for St. Agni. The shoes are beautiful and really well made, these woven leather slides included.
Birkenstock is always a good brand to consider because they make most (if not all?) of their shoes in a narrow fit, as well as “regular”. This pair has a narrow fit, as well as Birkenstock’s signature contoured footbed and a strap at the back for keeping your feet secure (a good option if you find the likes of Arizona sandals too loose).
These shoes aren’t advertised as being “for narrow feet”, but judging by the reviews, they suit narrow feet best. They’re from the Spanish brand Steve Mono, and I do find that Spanish footwear is on the narrower side than British or North American. This pair has a rubber sole, vegetable-tanned suede, and an ankle strap. A very good summer shoe that isn’t a sandal.
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For anyone with pizza feet, aka the front of your foot is wide and heel is narrow, the A. Emery sandals are forgiving because they are suede and very comfy (tevas are my religion I don’t say this lightly). I think soft material like suede that is malleable is easier to break in than a harder leather.
The MK teva sadly didn’t work on me because the footbed was too narrow, but the Teva Hurricane fits well and has adjustable Velcro straps. Teva and Sorel have a lot of gorp-y sandals that you can get wet.
In the US for flat sandals I’ve found that Eileen Fisher makes a cute shoe. I wouldn’t wear them for 2+ mile days but they are comfortable and elegantly simple. Also a fan of Nike air rifts if I’m in a city because I do in fact sweat during the summer and they keep my feet out of anything unsavory.
I have big fat baby looking feet so i struggle with sandals especially when they swell. The feet, not the shoes. 😜Even if they fit, they look terrible. But I wear Arizonas all summer long (I have multiple colors) and I have the Rothy and Boston clogs.