The Best Summer Sandals That You’ll Want to Live In
From platforms to fisherman sandals, these styles bring the heat
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Summer is here and it’s not only time to show off your warm weather outfits, but your pedicure too. After a long winter spent in boots and chunky sneakers, we’re craving the feeling of slipping into something lighter.
This season, our favorite muses have already declared their love for thong sandals, while the temptation of fisherman sandals and even jelly shoes has everyone clicking ‘add to cart’ in time for their next event. Whether you’re into slinky, sexy, or purely functional sandals, we’ve done the research for you so you don’t have to panic buy.
Wardrobe stylist and fashion editor Lizzy Rosenberg says the best sandals all have one material in common: “Above all things, I’ve found for both casual and formal attire that leather outlasts all.” Rosenberg would know: She spends most of the warm-weather season in Shelter Island, New York, and has become an expert at selecting sandals for the town-to-country lifestyle.
From there, the dress code dictates the best sandal silhouette and color. “For casual fits, I am partial to a sandal that I can easily slip on and off without having to fasten an ankle strap,” Rosenberg explains. “For petite women, like myself, these are more flattering—ankle straps tend to cut you off.” As for formal sandals? Higher heels or padded platforms literally elevate your outfit, whether they’re fashioned in shiny metallics like Larroudé’s or a sleek leather wedge courtesy of Bottega Veneta. Just make sure the pitch isn’t too steep to ensure your formal sandals are dance-all-night comfortable.
Ahead, we've road (and dance floor) tested 25 perfect summer sandals—just don’t forget to book that nail appointment.
Madewell The Boardwalk Post Slide Sandal
These are Rosenberg’s go-to sandal. “I have been living in [these] for the last two warm seasons now,” she says. “They have a sleek minimalist design that can live at brunch and the beach, the leather gives to mold to your foots shape with wear, and my favorite design detail [is] a hidden thonglike piece to keep the foot in place.”
Sizes: 5–11
Colors: Black, saddle, camel
Materials: Leather
“For dressy sandals, I am looking again for something that is going to elongate my stance, in a neutral color that can live with all my summer wardrobe, along with a bit more heel height—block or wedge. There is nothing worse than seeing a stiletto heel trying to survive a dock or sandy terrain,” Rosenberg says. She recommends this Bottega Veneta high-heeled sandal for a pair that checks all the aforementioned boxes. “The straps are thin enough that they will not show wear or age, [while the bottoms] have a sneakerlike rubber grip sole to make sure you can dance the night away.”
Sizes: 35–42 EU
Colors: Cane sugar, black
Materials: 100% lambskin
Who knew flip-flops could look this desirable? With the soft Brazilian leather, cushioned insole, and gorgeous array of shades, Tkees broke the mold when it launched its famous Lily style—and it’s still a bestseller for the brand to this day.
Sizes: 5–11
Colors: White, cream, pink, rose, black, tan, red
Materials: Leather, rubber
These super-sporty sandals from Tory Burch make me feel like I could try out for a local speed-walking team. The range of color options and the under-$300 price tag are two more reasons to cheer them on.
Sizes: 4–13
Colors: Black, ivory, denim, coral, pink, multicolor, sequin
Materials: Nylon, leather, rubber
After rigorous testing, I can confirm that Tamara Mellon’s Pillow Top shoes are even more comfortable than they sound. These low-heel sandals have double straps and padding that molds to your foot with each wear.
Sizes: 5–12
Colors: Bronze, off-white, blue
Materials: Leather, memory foam
When you treat animal print as a neutral, a whole new set of outfit ideas start to present themselves. I’d wear these Prada leopard numbers with everything from denim cut-offs on the weekend to a loose black linen suit for the office.
Sizes: 34½–41½
Materials: Leather, rubber
Buzzy brand Amanu Studio is on everyone’s lips right now, and for good reason. Forget anklets—the built-in accessories that come on each of the label’s sustainably made sandals means there will always be an interesting element to your outfit.
Sizes: 4–12
Materials: Leather, suede
Summer brings beach days … and a never-ending schedule of destination weddings. If you’re in the market for one stylish mid-heel sandal to go with everything—while guaranteeing you’ll be the last one standing too—take it from us: The Ramsay is your secret weapon, thanks to its bouncy cushion-soft insole. Who needs a hot date when you’ve got the perfect dancing shoe?
Sizes: 6–13
Colors: Black, sand
Materials: Leather, rPET foam lining, rubber
When you hear “podiatrist-approved,” you probably don’t think of chic footwear. But health experts and fashion editors agree that Frankie4’s comfortable and supportive sandals (with their podiatrist-designed footbeds!) defy that expectation. Toe ring sandals are trending once more, and the Middleton—in a goes-with-anything tan shade—is a failsafe addition to your rotation.
Sizes: 6–13
Colors: Tan, black
Materials: Leather upper, rubber sole
Looking to bring some western flair to your local metropolis? Enter: the Lennyo studded double strap sandals, in a yummy cognac suede—they're equal parts boho and western and 100% city-approved.
Sizes: 35–41 FR
Colors: Black, sand
Materials: Leather
The quintessential flat, which can be yours by way of next-day delivery? Say less! Once you add Tkees’s Gemma double-strap slide to your shoe rack, you’ll wonder what you ever did without it.
Sizes: 5–11
Colors: Cream, sunkissed, black, beach bum, zebra, ivory
Materials: Leather, rubber
The Row Gaia Woven Textured-Leather Sandals
The best fisherman sandals toe that hard-to-achieve line between fashion and function. This pair by the Row is the gold standard. The slightly elevated sole and thick leather straps will also develop a cool patina after a summer’s worth of outfits.
Sizes: 35–42
Colors: White, black
Materials: Leather
In a world where it’s harder and harder to find a luxury sandal without logos or branding splashed across them, these effortlessly stylish Gucci thong sandals, with their slight 0.6-inch heel and sleek gold hardware detailing, emerge to win us over.
Sizes: 34½–41½ EU
Colors: Black
Materials: Patent leather
Sam Edelman Bay Flat Sandals
Trust me: The iconic Sam Edelman Bay slip-on flat is just as good as when you first discovered it in high school. I could—and do—walk miles in these each summer, and I’ve lost count of how many colors I’ve snapped up. Right now, I’m eyeing the red ones, to add a pop of color when I’m wearing neutral-hued sundresses and basket bags.
Sizes: 4½–13
Colors: Red, black, brown, orange, denim, white, silver, gold, patent, multicolored, woven, and more
Materials: Leather
More is more, no? For the ultimate shoe lovers in our midst, there are Aquazzura’s works of art. The Oskan—in look-at-me vivid pink—is a true scene-stealer, with additional credit to the woven fruit detailing that gives these the perfect touch of whimsy.
Sizes: 35–41½
Materials: Leather, textile
Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA
In case you needed more proof that everything old is new again, look no further than the comeback of the original two-strap sandal. This pair is break-in-proof, waterproof, and blister-proof—the quintessential comfortable walking sandal for summer.
Sizes: 4–12½
Colors: Anthracite, black, white, green, and more
Materials: Molded EVA
Larroudé Milan S
Larroudé’s Milan has it all: a memory foam cushion, an on-trend T-strap, and gold detailing, which makes them work for evening too. Which bright, punchy shade is for you?
Sizes: 4/5–10/11
Colors: Tan, black, brown, navy, emerald, coral, pink, purple, yellow
Materials: PVC
Just one pair of shoes to get you through an entire Euro summer? It’d have to be these gold braided sandals by the ultimate French chicster, Jeanne Damas, and her brand Rouje. Their slight heel makes them work for everything, while the metallic tone will give every outfit the right amount of Midas touch.
Sizes: 36–41 FR
Materials: Leather
Kióhne is rooted in a Greek way of life, with a nod to all things slow and simple, without sacrificing sophistication. The Andrea sandals, like the rest of the brand’s offerings, are produced locally and sustainably in Greece, so you can rest easy knowing the care that went into each pair.
Sizes: 37–41 EU
Colors: Black, tan
Materials: Leather
Gianvito Rossi Bijoux Sandals
As Carrie Bradshaw herself once said, “…hello, lover!” By all rights, shoes this stunning shouldn’t also feel like clouds to walk on, but leave it to the Italians to figure out how to make both things possible. Gianvito Rossi’s beloved Bijoux sandals will take pride of place in your closet forevermore, we promise.
Sizes: 34–42 EU
Colors: Gold, leopard, black, pink
Materials: Leather
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