It feels good to say that spring/summer ’26 is here. The mood is shifting, as our favourite labels begin to drop their long-awaited collections. Spring is giving way to summer, and with it, we’re finally moving away from transitional dressing. Instead, we’re getting dressed for long days and warm nights. Out come the shorts. The sunglasses. The short-sleeved shirts. But footwear is where this shift shows itself first. Heavy-duty boots are out, and lighter, more breathable options are in.

Summer ’26 sees fashion embracing and redefining classic footwear staples. We’re not talking radical reinventions, more considered reinterpretations. It’s a season of firsts: Louise Trotter at Bottega Veneta and Demna Gvasalia at Gucci are amongst the new hands at major houses that are setting the tone. And it’s often footwear where newly installed designers show their hand first. It’s there that they can navigate honouring what came before while pushing forward.

In short: the staples haven’t changed, but who’s making them has.

These moves have had a ripple effect across fashion. Take Fendi for example. They’ve taken the humble loafer, a reliable failsafe that always sees us through summer, and reworked it in braided leather. The effect is quietly dramatic. Familiar, yet unfamiliar, all at once.

Elsewhere, the flip-flop is being reimagined. Once seen as a cringeworthy ‘dad shoe’, this summer sees it emerge as an essential, reiterated in leather and treated with the respect it deserves. Meanwhile Jacquemus reimagine the slider with penny loafer detailing for an upscale take on a staple that often feels taken for granted.

The season’s boldest energy sits in the sportier categories: trainers. Past seasons have seen a multitude of black or white low-tops, and while there’s always a place in our wardrobes for monochrome, we’re moving towards brighter colours. Statements, to be precise. Louise Trotter’s take on Bottega Veneta’s classic Orbital Sneakers is infused with a pop of buttery yellow, while Off-White’s new Be Right Back Trainers feature vibrant hues of coral red. And in styles where colour takes a back seat, sporty silhouettes move to the forefront. At Jacquemus, low-top tennis-inspired shoes are in, while Grace Wales Bonner’s latest collection with adidas Originals joins forces with Y3, creating a football boot-inspired design that feels like a hat-trick.

So, with your boots being consigned to the back of the wardrobe, now’s the time to start bringing fresh energy into your seasonal rotation. Whether it’s classic shapes moving into the spotlight, underrated favourites finally getting their moment, or sportier silhouettes defining your look, we’ve got you covered.

From Burberry slip-ons to Prada sneakers, these are the labels and styles to start adding to your collection this summer.