Summer footwear can make or break your warm-weather style. The right pair of sandals elevates your outfit with breezy sophistication, while the wrong choice can leave you looking like you’ve just missed your connecting flight.
Let’s explore five sandal styles that exude effortless summer elegance and five that scream tourist confusion.
1. Leather Slide Sandals: Minimal Effort, Maximum Style
Luxurious leather slides have become the unofficial uniform of the stylishly unbothered. Their clean lines and architectural simplicity work with everything from breezy linen pants to floaty sundresses.
Quality matters here—opt for butter-soft leather that molds to your foot with wear. The best versions come in neutral tones like camel, black, or cream that complement your entire summer wardrobe.
These sandals whisper rather than shout, letting the rest of your outfit take center stage while still communicating that you understand the language of understated luxury.
2. Rope Espadrille Wedges: Riviera Ready
Mediterranean charm meets practical comfort in these summer classics. The natural jute sole brings textural interest while the modest height elongates your legs without sacrificing walkability.
Canvas versions offer casual daytime versatility, while suede or leather iterations transition seamlessly to evening aperitifs. Navy, cream, or tan colorways maintain that effortless European vacation vibe that never feels forced.
French women have sworn by these for decades—pair them with cropped white jeans and a striped top for an instant dose of Côte d’Azur elegance that works just as beautifully in Montauk as Monaco.
3. Minimalist Leather Strappy Flats: Barely-There Beauty
Whisper-thin straps in supple leather create the illusion of floating elegantly across summer pavements. Their barely-there design elongates the leg while the flat sole ensures you can actually enjoy those sunset beach walks.
Strategic ankle ties add a subtle feminine touch without veering into fussy territory. The magic lies in their versatility—they dress up denim cutoffs instantly or complement floaty dresses without competing for attention.
Ancient Greek Sandals and K.Jacques St. Tropez have perfected this style, though affordable versions abound. Look for natural tones that blend with your skin for that coveted leg-lengthening effect.
4. Low Block Heel Mules: Effortless Elevation
Sophisticated yet unfussy, the low block heel mule strikes the perfect balance between comfort and polish. The slip-on style signals relaxed confidence while the modest heel provides just enough lift. Architectural shapes in buttery suede or textured raffia add visual interest without trying too hard.
Their open back construction catches summer breezes while the closed toe offers versatility for city exploring. Neutral tones work hardest in your wardrobe, though a pop of terracotta or olive green can become a signature summer statement.
These sandals transition effortlessly from farmers market mornings to alfresco dinner dates.
5. Refined Toe-Loop Sandals: Subtle Statement
Modernizing the traditional thong silhouette, these elevated sandals feature a single toe loop that adds architectural interest without sacrificing simplicity. Italian craftsmanship often shines in this category, with brands like ATP Atelier perfecting the balance of minimalism and detail.
Asymmetrical straps and unexpected cutouts create visual intrigue while maintaining that coveted clean aesthetic. Luxe materials like vegetable-tanned leather develop a beautiful patina over time, telling the story of your summer adventures.
Their understated elegance pairs beautifully with everything from tailored shorts to flowing maxi dresses, making them the ultimate versatile vacation companion.
1. Platform Foam Slides: Poolside Peculiarity
Aggressively chunky and often adorned with oversized logos, these attention-demanding slides scream “I prioritized comfort over all aesthetic considerations.” Their exaggerated proportions create a cartoonish silhouette that overwhelms any outfit attempt.
Neon colorways and molded footbeds might feel practical for navigating airport security, but they instantly mark you as someone who’s given up on style entirely. The plastic-y squeaking sound they make on marble hotel floors announces your arrival long before you’re visible.
Originally designed for post-workout shower situations, these utilitarian shoes somehow escaped their locker room habitat to become the unofficial uniform of harried travelers with delayed connections.
2. Bedazzled Flip Flops: Vacation Confusion
Straight from the bargain bin of a beach boardwalk shop, these rhinestone-encrusted atrocities attempt to elevate basic rubber flip flops into evening wear. The result is neither practical nor attractive. Plastic gemstones inevitably start falling off halfway through your trip, leaving a sad trail of missing sparkle.
Meanwhile, the flimsy construction means your feet slide around unpredictably, creating that distinctive flip-flop slapping sound that echoes through museum hallways.
Often paired with ill-advised ankle bracelets and toe rings, these sandals broadcast “I packed in a panic and forgot real shoes.” The thin soles offer zero support for actual sightseeing, leading to the distinctive tourist hobble by day three.
3. Excessive Gladiator Wraps: Tangled Tourist
Rising like leather pythons up tired calves, these over-complicated sandals require engineering degrees to put on correctly. Their excessive straps, buckles, and ties create a visual cacophony that fights with every outfit they encounter.
Airport security becomes a special kind of nightmare as you frantically unwrap these foot mummies while the line grows behind you. The uneven tan lines they create become permanent souvenirs of your questionable footwear choices.
Watching wearers struggle to readjust constantly sliding straps provides entertainment for café patrons worldwide. Most end up abandoned in hotel rooms halfway through vacation when the novelty of spending 15 minutes getting dressed wears thin.
4. Furry Slide Sandals: Confused Seasonal Statement
Fuzzy, shearling-lined slides create a perplexing climate contradiction when worn in 90-degree Mediterranean heat. Their impractical plush footbeds become sweat-soaked nightmares within minutes of outdoor wear, yet somehow remain oddly popular among disoriented travelers.
Sand, dirt, and various debris cling tenaciously to the textured surface, transforming these shoes into mobile dirt collectors. Originally designed as indoor loungewear, their appearance at beachside restaurants signals complete surrender to comfort over context.
The sight of sodden fur after unexpected poolside splashes creates an unfortunate wet-dog aesthetic. These misplaced winter comforts broadcast “I packed based on comfort rather than destination research” louder than any lost-tourist map consultation.
5. Velcro-Strapped Sport Sandals: Functional Faux Pas
Aggressively practical to the point of aesthetic surrender, these hiking-inspired sandals broadcast “I’ve researched the walking distance between every attraction.” Their thick rubber soles and multiple adjustable straps prioritize comfort while completely abandoning style considerations.
Often worn with moisture-wicking socks (creating distinctive tan lines), these sandals are the hallmark of the prepared tourist. The telltale sound of ripping Velcro announces your presence in quiet museums and churches throughout Europe.
While undeniably comfortable for long days of sightseeing, their technical appearance clashes spectacularly with casual summer outfits. The rugged tread collects debris that gets deposited across hotel room carpets like breadcrumbs marking your travel path.