The Best Summer Shoes to Own (and When to Wear Each One)

Summer shoes don’t need to be complicated. I find myself reaching for the same few styles every year. The ones that work with everything and actually make getting dressed easier.

If You Only Buy 3 Summer Shoes

If you’re trying to keep things simple, these are the three styles I would start with. I come back to these every summer:

• A flat sandal for everyday is easy, comfortable, and works with everything from jeans to dresses.
• A strappy or block heel for evenings, dinners, and summer events.
• A woven flat for when you want something a little more refined than a sandal.

Flat Sandals For Everyday

Flat sandals are what I wear most during the summer. They’re easy, comfortable, and work with everything from jeans to dresses.

I reach for these on days where I’m running errands, have casual plans, or anything where I’ll be on my feet. A simple leather sandal always looks a little more polished than rubber or overly casual styles, which makes a difference in how the outfit comes together.

Woven Flats and Ballet Flats

Of the two, woven flats are what I reach for most in summer. The texture feels more seasonal than a plain leather flat, and they work beautifully with linen pants and dresses. My most worn styles are the Demi Jane and the Fonteyn by Margaux. Both fit true to size, get softer with wear, and the quality shows in how they wear season after season. The raffia ballet flat is another good option for summer occasions where you want your toes covered, a summer shower, an indoor event, or just a change from sandals. I’m wearing a size 7.5 in the style pictured above.

Best Summer Shoes: Flip Flops

A dressier flip flop like leather, metallic, or a refined finish, is worth having for casual summer days when you want something easy but still pulled together. I reach for mine at the beach, running errands, or anywhere I want to slip on and go. Look for a padded footbed and quality materials. The difference between a flip flop that looks cheap and one that elevates a casual outfit usually comes down to the finish. I’d recommend Tkees as a starting point. They have a very wide range of neutral shades.

Strappy Heels (Evenings and Events)

This is what I reach for when I want something that feels more dressed up. A strappy heel works for dinners, summer parties, and weddings without feeling heavy or overdone.

I almost always stay in that 2–3 inch range, as it’s comfortable enough to wear all evening, but still gives you that polished look.

Block Heel Sandals

Block heel sandals are some of the best summer shoes for outdoor events, long days, or anywhere a thinner heel doesn’t feel practical. They still look polished, but feel much easier to wear. Especially if you’re on your feet for a while.

Neutral Heels

A neutral heel gets more wear than any other heel in your wardrobe. I reach for mine with summer dresses, skirts, and jeans. Anything where I want the shoe to feel polished without competing with the outfit. My go-to is the Isa sandal by Inez. The fit is slightly small, take a half size up. The arch support makes them genuinely comfortable for long evenings, and Inez offers slim, standard, and roomy widths which is worth knowing if you’re between sizes. Use code TARA15 for 15% off.

If you want a little more visual interest, a patent leather finish is an easy way to add texture without going bold. The same heel silhouette in patent feels slightly more dressed up and works especially well for summer parties and events.

Summer Shoes: Wedge Heels

A wedge sits in that sweet spot between a flat and a traditional heel. You get the lift plus stability, which makes them one of the best summer shoes for outdoor dinners, long days out, or anywhere grass is involved. I reach for a lower wedge with casual summer outfits like shorts, a sundress, a white jean skirt. For a midi or maxi dress, a higher wedge gives you better proportions.

White Sneakers

A white sneaker is the one shoe that works with almost everything in summer. Dresses, denim, and linen pants all look great with the right sneakers. I wear mine with no-show socks to keep the look clean. My two go-to’s are the Gucci Ace for a more elevated option and a classic slim sneaker for everyday wear.

 

Colorful Sandals

A colorful sandal is one of the easiest ways to add something to an all-neutral or all-white outfit without overcomplicating it. When everything else is simple, the shoe becomes the focal point — and in summer, a bright coral, cobalt, or earthy terracotta reads as intentional rather than loud. I keep the rest of the outfit quiet and let the shoe do the work.

Why I Always Add a White Shoe for Summer

A white shoe isn’t essential, but it’s one I find myself reaching for more than I expect. It has a way of brightening an outfit, especially in the summer when everything feels lighter. If you already have a go-to neutral sandal, this isn’t a must. But if you tend to wear a lot of lighter outfits, it’s a nice addition to have.

I wear mine most with denim, all-white looks, and dresses where a darker shoe can feel too heavy. It’s an easy way to keep an outfit feeling fresh without adding anything complicated.

The most important thing is that your summer shoes actually get worn. A short list of styles you reach for consistently will always serve you better than a full shoe rack of options you’re not sure how to wear. If you want to go deeper on specific styles, I have a full guide to gold shoes and how to wear them, and a post on the best flat shoes to wear with jeans that’s worth bookmarking for year-round dressing.