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While a winter capsule wardrobe may be sacredly straightforward in terms of footwear (think Chelsea boots, Ugg Minis, and patent Mary Jane shoes), warmer weather brings with it a plethora of summer shoe styles to choose from: comfy sneakers, poolside slides, open-toed heels—the list goes on. And that’s not even inclusive of styles like comfortable wedding shoes or sandals fit for a sunny soirée.

With the passing of grey, gloom-and-doom weather comes a flurry of design options suitable for vacations, cocktail parties, beachside jaunts, and casual Fridays at the office. In other words, there are plenty of excuses to fill your shopping cart with all of the best summer 2023 shoe trends available to shop.

To make stocking your shoe rack a little easier, we sifted through the vast market and narrowed down 25 essential summer styles, including the all-important slip-on strappy sandals and foolproof flats you can wear all season long.

Caprice Heel

Every closet needs at least one pair of do-it-all sandals. These strappy black heels from Tony Bianco are elegant enough to always be event-ready, yet classic enough to pair with everyday denim.

Sizes: 5-10

Colors: Black, White, Acid Green, Skin Capretto, Acid Pink

Material: Leather upper

The Real Jelly Kim

These aren’t the same jelly sandals you wore to run through the backyard sprinkler during your childhood heyday. They’ve been reinvented and reimagined in the form of this dainty, Barbie-esque slip-on.

Sizes: 5-10

Colors: 6 options

Material: Melflex

Carina Ankle Tie Espadrille Wedge Sandals

Beachside boardwalks and espadrilles belong together. These wedges (beloved by Kate Middleton) provide just the right amount of height without sacrificing comfort.

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: Azul Marin, Black, Ivory, Sand

Material: Fabric upper, leather lining

Strappy Knotted Leather Sandals

If stilettos frighten you as much as they do me, take my word for it: A sturdy block-heeled sandal will save you needless ankle pain. This metallic pink pair looks luxe yet casual.

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: Beige, Silver, Cream, Pink

Material: Leather, rubber upper

Ribbon Loafers

Unfortunately, not all summer days can be spent on the beach. Whether dressed up with a skirt or down with a pair of cutoff shorts à la Hailey Bieber, these vegan loafers are reliably versatile, supportive, and chic. Bonus: you can wear them well through the fall and winter months, too.

Sizes: 5-10

Colors: Black

Material: Plant-sourced vegan leather

Yaffa Pointed-Toe Knot Sandals

If you tend to suffer from shoe-inflicted heel abrasions, these flat mules are the ideal alternative. Backless but close-toed, they’re a business-casual favorite for warmer months.

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: 6 options

Material: Elastic knit made from plastic bottles, rubber

Love 100 Patent Pumps

Summer is usually open-toe season, but there are always a few occasions that warrant covering up. Zhuzh up your favorite pair of pumps with an adventurous hue for the season.

Sizes: 4-13

Colors: Green

Material: Leather

Women's Sunshine Slide Sandal

These chunky padded slides are luxuriously plush, but fret not: they’re tough enough to take on sand, saltwater, and chlorine without complaint.

Sizes: 6-12

Colors: Very Berry, Maui Blue, Tiger Orange, Black, Vanilla Cream

Material: Synthetic, polyurethane

Jerzi Rope Lace-Up Sandals

The gladiator sandal is back for summer 2023. In this case, with a lace-up feature and minimal pearl-bobble detail.

Sizes: 5-12

Colors: Natural Rope

Material: Fabric upper, manmade sole

Eleonora Slingback Block Heel Sandal

Jazz up a day-to-night look with these ’70s-inspired slingbacks from Reformation. Just a heads up: these do run small and slightly narrow.

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: Black, Gold, Metallic, Pearl Snake, White

Material: Recouro-regenerated leather, EVA padding

Solar Platform Sandals

A stable style reminiscent of a ’90s Olsen twin, these pastel platforms are meant to merge “contemporary design with casual LA style.”

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: Lilac, White, Orange

Material: Vinyl, polyurethane

Champion Originals Sneaker

Chances are you already have a beloved pair of white sneakers on your shoe rack, but if you’re looking to invest in a crisp new pair for summer, the classic Keds never get old.

Sizes: 5-13

Colors: 6 options

Material: Canvas, twill

Widths: Small, Medium, Wide, Extra Wide

Old Skool Stackform Sneaker

These chunky Vans go beyond the revival of skater style—match them with a white summer sundress or a pair of cutoff denim shorts.

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: Black, Blue, Lilac, Green, Picnic Pink

Material: Leather/textile upper, synthetic materials

Marmont Logo-Embellished Leather Sandals

The tried-and-true flip-flop is a staple sure to transcend trends. Elevate yours with a Gucci logo in gold.

Sizes: 4-12

Colors: Black, White

Material: Calf leather

Penny Sandal

Stay in a seaside state of mind with these woven, beach-inspired sandals. The lightly cushioned footbed and slip-on style make them an easy accessory to sweeten up any summertime look.

Sizes: 6-10

Colors: Beige, Pink

Material: Woven raffia, synthetic

Arizona Essential

There’s a reason why they’re the unofficial shoe of the summer: Birkenstocks have been battle-tested by a very ardent fan base. This waterproof pair has the ability to survive sun and splash.

Sizes: 4-12.5

Colors: 11 options

Material: EVA

Widths: Regular/Wide, Medium/Narrow

Lesley Sandal

Whether for weddings, boardrooms, or cocktail parties, a dependable pair of high-heeled sandals should take precedence in any capsule wardrobe.

Sizes: 4-13

Colors: 10 options

Material: Calfskin

Huarache Flat

The woven pattern on these closed-toe flats screams summer vacation, even if you have to wear them to work.

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: 6 options

Material: Leather

Midform Universal Canvas Sandal

An absolute must-purchase for the adventurous among us. If your summer takes you anywhere near a hiking trail, you’ll want these soft but super-strong Tevas to transport you to the next peak.

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: Birch, Olive, Ginger

Material: Canvas, EVA

The Original Slip On Sneaker

The simple joy of a good slip-on? Zero effort and maximum comfort, with the benefits of a sneaker and the style of a loafer. Plus, Rothy’s is quickly becoming a brand known for impactful sustainability—their shoes are actually knit from plastic bottles (and these are even machine washable). Comfort, convenience, and eco-consciousness.

Sizes: 5-13

Colors: 13 options

Material: Single-use plastic bottles

Feather Recovery Cloud Slide Sandal

Ah, the cloud slide. The hottest new “ugly shoe” trend that’s all about comfort and convenience. This specific brand has a 4.4-star rating from almost 29,000 Amazon reviewers.

Sizes: 5-12

Colors: 30 options

Material: EVA foam

Espadrille Casual Flatform Sandals

If you’d rather not toddle in wedges or platforms, an espadrille flat is the next best move.

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: 8 options

Material: Polyurethane, synthetic materials

GO WALK Arch Fit

Summer is the season of the tourist. Whether you’re exploring a new city or vacationing abroad, you’re probably doing a lot of walking. This pair of sandals from Skechers provides contoured arch support and a cushioned footbed to keep you from having to deal with blisters and sore arches along the way.

Sizes: 6-11

Colors: Black, Black/White, Navy, Rose

Material: Mesh upper

Widths: Medium, Wide

The Azura Dusty Rose

If you’re hunting for a pair of comfy slip-ons but worried they’ll go flying off your feet, this pick by Bells and Becks is your answer. The buttery leather is snug enough to keep the shoes secure on your feet, but soft enough to feel every bit luxurious as you skip from dinner to drinks.

Sizes: 6-13

Colors: White, Olive, Dusty Rose

Material: Leather

Chiara Woven Leather Mary Jane Ballet Flats

Perfect for picnicking or popping by a sunny outdoor happy hour, this woven ballet flat puts fall’s favorite shoe in vacation mode.

Sizes: 6-11

Colors: Brown

Material: Woven polyester, goat leather lining

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