THESE ARE THE SHOES TO ADD TO YOUR BASKET
SUMMER TRENDS EDIT:
Low-profile sneakers, chunky wedges, jelly flats: these are the shoes you need this season.
There’s no shortage of shoe trends to shop this summer - but there is a shortage of clarity around which ones are really worth the wardrobe space. That’s where we come in. We’ve done the hard work for you, tracking the standout silhouettes on the SS26 runways - from jelly shoes and wedge sandals to modern clogs - and narrowed them down to the trends that matter most.
Spring/summer ’26 is built on familiar foundations, updated with just enough intention to feel new. It’s a season for stepping slightly outside your usual rotation - whether that means jelly shoes that channel childhood nostalgia with a more polished and grown-up finish, heavy-soled clogs that somehow work with everything, or oversized bows and fabric flowers that flirt with impracticality in the best way.
These shifts have rippled across the wider fashion landscape. Take Bottega Veneta, for example: offering a refined transformation to the once-divisive clog, with the addition of its signature Intrecciato leather weave. Elsewhere, the ballet pump has undergone a welcomed revival. Once dismissed as a relic of the late 2010s, it returns this season with sporty accents and trainer-inspired details that feel unexpectedly fresh. Gucci, meanwhile, elevates the humble slider with signature detailing, turning an often-overlooked essential into something decidedly more luxurious.
The season’s boldest energy, however, lies in trainers. After several seasons dominated by understated black low-tops, SS26 signals a move towards brighter colours and more expressive design. At Fendi, floral detailing refreshes classic low-top silhouettes, while Miu Miu introduces mismatched laces and punchier hues. Nostalgia is clearly the moment of the season, as we see wedges make a comeback - and it’s difficult not to think of Bratz dolls when the first pairs appeared on the runway.
Whether you’re leaning towards smart slip-ons courtesy of Fendi, jelly heels at Chloé in shades reminiscent of a Polly Pocket set, or unapologetically party-ready platforms, these are the labels and styles to start adding to your collection this summer.
1. SMART SLIP ONS
If summer for you looks like long drives, weekends by the water, and packing light, then a dependable pair of slip-ons are non-negotiable. Easy to wear but still polished, they’re the kind of shoes that make getting dressed easy. First on our radar are Fendi’s Baguette Medium-Heeled Slides. They’re made from calf leather with tonal stitching and a low, comfortable heel. Chloé also delivered one of our favourite pairs this season. Their Flat Sandals mix hand-braided cord detailing with flashes of cherry-red that keep things playful. If something more timeless is your thing, Gucci’s Siada Slide Flat Sandals are an easy win. Sleek, versatile, and simple to style, they’re the kind of pair you’ll end up wearing on repeat.
2. KEEP A LOW PROFILE
If there’s one shoe stepping up this season, it’s the low-top trainer. First up, Fendi’s Low-Top Trainers. Loud in all the right ways, they lean into the brand’s ongoing love affair with florals. If something more understated is your speed, Prada’s Monte Carlo Low-Top Trainers are an easy win. Done in a dusky pink with mesh side panels, they feel light, breathable, and surprisingly easy to style. Then there’s Miu Miu, who continue to get footwear very, very right. Their latest trainer’s pair mismatched bright laces with softer muted tones, striking that balance between playful and wearable. Safe to say, we’re into it.
3. JELLY SHOE DREAMIN'
Indulge your inner child this summer with a pair of grown-up jelly shoes. Chloé’s been all over our Instagram feeds since their spring-summer show last year and this year follows suit, naturally. Their Jelly Shoes look like something straight out of a Polly Pocket set. Complete with a slightly pointed toe, faux rouching to the front, and tiny kitten heel, they’ve turned a childhood love into an adult-appropriate offering. Hot on their heels are Gucci’s Flat Sandals, which feature cut-outs and the iconic Double G, and then there’s Valentino Garavani Rockstud Thong Sandals. Our five-year-old selves would be ecstatic.
4. EASY LOAFERS
Loafers are taking a more relaxed turn this season, but they’re still doing enough to keep things interesting. First up, Miu Miu’s Boat Shoes. They feel easy and unfussy yet still polished enough to pull a look together. The mesh panelling helps on hotter days, too. Then there’s Prada and its Moccasin Loafers. Think soft suede, tonal stitching, and a classic shape that won’t date, while the 24K gold interior adds a bit of an unexpected twist. If you want something with more impact, Fendi’s Slip-On Loafers are an easy win. Sleek in shape with an all-over cheetah print, they do most of the work for you and instantly lift even the simplest outfit.
5. SKY-HIGH WEDGES
Just when you think wedges have run their course, along comes a fresh new iteration to change your mind. Leg-lengthening, surprisingly comfortable and with the added advantage that they don’t sink into the grass at summer events (think weddings, the races, a trip to the polo…) and you have yourself a firm contender for the ideal pair of summer occasion shoes. Top of our list this year? Chloé’s Swimming Wedge Sandals, Christian Louboutin’s Zeezeenella Wedges that feature the brand’s iconic redder-than-red soles, and Prada’s offering rendered in an all-over mirrored gold effect. If you prefer something more a little more nineties, opt for Versace’s Espadrille Wedges.
6. IT’S ALL RAFFIA
Raffia is a firm fixture in our summer wardrobes this year, and thankfully, it’s coming in all shapes and sizes. From raffia bags to headbands, we’re getting our fix in a multitude of ways. But our favourite? Without a doubt, it's the humble raffia shoe. Prada has offered not one but two ways to wear a raffia shoe this season. First up, the Crisscross Raffia Slides, the perfect beach day slider. Second, the Raffia Ballerina, the ideal summer city shoe. While Miu Miu’s raffia offering resembles the classic slider design we’re all accustomed to, adorned with their iconic logo, no less.
7. PARTY-READY HEELS
When it comes to party-ready shoes, a statement heel is usually the quickest way to make an outfit feel considered. Givenchy’s Heeled Sandals do exactly that, pairing a bow-inspired shape with subtle yellow detailing on the sole and heel. Fendi takes a more unexpected approach, mixing off-beat colours for a shoe that feels made for late nights. If sky-high heels aren’t your thing, Jimmy Choo’s Lova Heels offer a more manageable option. And if they are, Saint Laurent’s stiletto courts, finished with tiny lemons, feel a little bit Riviera.
8. TURNING CLOGS
Clogs? They’re like marmite. But love them or hate them, they’re here to stay. And for SS26, they’re dominating our Instagram feeds. Miu Miu has created an easy-to-wear pair that feature a small heel and supple strap. Or, if you’re after something with a little more support, their Flat Mules will do just the trick, thanks to the ankle strap at the back. If you prefer something more slipper like, Chloé and Burberry have just the ones for you. The beauty is: you’ll be able to wear them all year long - just add thick socks in the winter and wear barefoot in the summer.
9. HYBRID BALLET PUMPS
It’s the hybrid fashion has been waiting for: the ballet pump meets the trainer. Once written off as a relic of the late 2000s, the silhouette returns this season, reimagined with sporty accents and sneaker-inspired detailing that feels surprisingly fresh. Miu Miu’s Ballet Pumps strike the perfect balance between athletic and feminine, while Prada’s Cushioned Pumps deliver equal parts comfort and style. Look to adidas originals’ Tokyo MJ Shoes if you’re craving some three-stripe nostalgia.
