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It's officially sandals season, and the best summer sandal trends are here to encourage you to slip off your sneakers and boots, show off your summer pedicure, and let your feet feel the fresh air, sand, and sunshine.
But has it been a while since you updated your sandal rotation? If you're feeling bored with buckle Birkenstocks and colorful slides and you're looking for something exciting and new to pair with all those summer outfits, we've rounded up some of the biggest, coolest summer shoe trends to get you started — with cosigns by Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, and Sasha Obama, to name a few.
All the sandals for women we have rounded up have that laid-back, casual vibe perfect for the season, including classic flip-flops for the beach or a day out and trendy mesh to keep your feet cool on a hot day. Love a Y2K-inspired look? You'll want a pair of flip-flop kitten heels ASAP, or maybe some fun throwback jelly shoes to pair with denim miniskirts, flirty slip dresses, or cargo pants.
Ahead, check out the best sandal trends for summer 2025 and get busy building your shoe-shopping list.
1. Kitten Heel Flip Flops
First popular in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, the flip-flop kitten heel made a comeback alongside the resurgence of Y2K-era trends. It’s an easy “starter heel” that is comfortable to wear all day or night long and looks adorable with dressy 'fits or more casual outfits. We love an unexpected pop of color, like army green, tangerine, or classic metallic gold.
2. Jelly Shoes
Jelly shoes date back to the 1940s but became popular in the 1980s, and have made their way up and down the trend cycle since then. But they're back for summer 2025, thanks in part to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's luxurious line The Row; they launched a jelly flat in 2024 that was all the rage with celebs—and came with a celeb-worthy price tag. However, you don't have to pay hundreds of dollars to get in on the jelly fun. There are so many inexpensive, budget-friendly jelly options in a variety of shoes styles. Try a jelly flip-flop with a slip dress or fisherman sandals with cutoff shorts. And the best part? You can easily wash them off if they get sticky or sandy.
3. Fisherman Sandals
Prefer to keep your toes mostly covered? If you live in a city, wearing closed-toe sandals may be your best bet for those long summer walks and hot subway rides. Fisherman sandals are a stylish fusion of a flat and a sandal, with a classic, timeless appeal. Mix things up with an unexpected texture like raffia or try a more delicate twist on the look with your favorite sundress.
4. Flip Flops
No summer wardrobe is complete without a pair of flip-flops! Thong sandals are a forever favorite and have been spotted on the feet of some of our favorite stars, including Sasha Obama and Kylie Jenner. You can't go wrong with a pair of iconic, budget-friendly Havianas, but a luxe leather pair will last for years and look great with basically every warm-weather outfit you pull together. Combine two trends and slip into a jelly flip-flop for a beach day or outdoor party.
5. Butter Yellow
Butter yellow has been the dominating color of the past two summers and we can't get enough of its cheerful energy and pastel sweetness. Alexander Ziegler, founder of shoe brand Anonymous Copenhagen, agrees. “We are very into subtle yellows at the moment,” Ziegler shares. “It gives a warmer look than white but is still very elegant and the perfect color for tan skin and sunsets.” It's also a fun change from your usual tan, black, or white sandals, with a fresh, fun vibe that feels like summer in a bottle… or is it a shoe?
6. Rope Sandals
Add a sporty spin to your look with rope sandals, which feel like you stepped right off a sailboat — in a chic way, of course. Rope sandals add texture to every outfit; they can toughen up a breezy dress and look super cool with trendy long denim shorts.
7. Earth Tones
While black sandals will never go out of style, brown, khaki, olive green, and tan suit the casual vibes of the summer season. Marina Chen, co-founder and head of supply chain at shoe brain Vivaia, loves the brand's Square-Toe Block Heel Sandals, which she says have a “nostalgic, Carrie Bradshaw-inspired vibe” that is “chic, feminine, and ideal for daytime and evening wear.”
8. Mesh Ballet Flats
OK, so mesh shoes aren't exactly sandals, but the breathable, peekaboo effect of mesh or lattice leather makes them feel like the perfect balance! Gigi Hadid recently wore Journee Collection's mesh Mary Janes for a night out. “The key to any great summer shoe is breathability," says Chen, who cites Vivaia's Sneakerina as a must-have. “Materials like mesh or knit keep feet cool, while an odor-controlling, sweat-absorbing insole keeps you fresh all day.” Sounds like an ideal summer shoe to us.
