Summer in the city has a new footwear star: the toe ring sandal. Walking through Manhattan yesterday, I couldn’t help but notice these minimalist beauties on practically every corner.
These elegant sandals—featuring a distinctive loop that wraps around the big toe—combine comfort with undeniable style, making them perfect for navigating NYC’s concrete jungle while staying fashion-forward.
1. TOTEME Leather Sandals
Scandinavian simplicity meets urban sophistication in these sleek TOTEME sandals. The butter-soft leather wraps elegantly around the toe, creating a barely-there aesthetic that’s become a signature look among fashion editors this season.
What makes these standouts is the subtle branding—just a tiny embossed logo that whispers luxury rather than shouting it. During my walk through SoHo, I spotted a woman pairing these with wide-leg linen pants and a crisp white button-down.
Their neutral tone works with literally everything in your wardrobe, making the $390 price tag slightly more digestible as a cost-per-wear investment.
2. ZARA Flat Strappy Sandals With Metal Ornament
ZARA has once again proven they can deliver runway-inspired styles at accessible prices. These strappy wonders feature a distinctive metal ornament that catches the sunlight as you stroll.
A group of friends brunching at an outdoor café in the West Village all seemed to be wearing variations of this affordable style. The thin leather straps create delicate lines across the foot, while the toe ring provides surprising stability when walking.
At just $45.90, these sandals deliver major style impact without the designer price tag—exactly why I’ve spotted them on everyone from college students to corporate professionals throughout the city.
3. Madwell The Mila Organic Hardware Thong Slide Sandal
Madewell’s commitment to sustainability shines through in these organic hardware sandals. The chunky gold-tone ring that secures the toe strap makes these instantly recognizable—I counted three pairs while waiting at just one crosswalk on Fifth Avenue!
The footbed offers surprising cushioning, explaining why a tour guide I saw was confidently wearing them while leading a walking group through Midtown.
Unlike many minimalist styles, these provide actual arch support. The rich cognac leather develops a beautiful patina over time, something a woman told me when I complimented her well-worn pair outside a coffee shop near Bryant Park.
4. Reformation Cassandra Flat Sandal
Reformation’s eco-conscious approach extends beautifully to their Cassandra sandals. Crafted from regenerative leather, these elegant flats feature the thinnest possible toe ring—almost invisible from a distance, creating that coveted “barely-there” effect.
Two stylish museum-goers outside the Met were sporting these in different colors, both paired with flowy summer dresses. The minimal design includes a squared-off toe that gives these sandals a distinctly modern edge compared to more rounded styles.
Despite their delicate appearance, the leather sole has surprising durability—perfect for NYC’s unforgiving sidewalks. The $198 price point positions them as an attainable luxury for the sustainability-minded fashionista.
5. Tory Burch Toe Ring Flip Flops
Status symbol alert! The iconic Tory Burch medallion makes these elevated flip flops instantly recognizable from blocks away. I spotted no fewer than four pairs while walking through the Upper East Side, each one paired with polished summer outfits.
Unlike traditional flip flops, the toe ring design prevents that annoying slapping sound against your heel. A mother chasing her toddler through Central Park demonstrated their surprising functionality—never once did they slip off despite her quick movements.
Available in a rainbow of colors, the bright orange pair caught my eye on a woman hailing a cab on Madison Avenue. The contrast against her all-white ensemble created a perfect summer statement.
6. ZARA Suede Toe Sandals
Suede might seem counterintuitive for summer footwear, but ZARA’s buttery soft version has convinced New Yorkers otherwise. These rich chocolate brown sandals bring unexpected texture to summer outfits—I noticed them paired with everything from flowing dresses to cuffed jeans.
The wider toe strap offers more comfort than thinner versions, making them practical for extended city exploration. A tourist outside Rockefeller Center told me she’d been wearing hers all day without discomfort.
What’s clever about this design is the slightly raised heel—just enough to keep your foot from fully touching grimy city streets. At $59.90, they deliver luxury vibes without requiring a luxury budget.
7. Ancient Greek Sandals Euterpe Sandals
Handcrafted excellence was strolling down the High Line when I spotted these artisanal beauties. Ancient Greek Sandals’ Euterpe model features traditional techniques passed down through generations of Mediterranean craftspeople—each pair slightly unique from the next.
The natural leather starts off pale but develops a gorgeous honey patina after exposure to sun and wear. A gallery owner wearing them mentioned they’ve become more comfortable with each passing summer.
The distinctive woven leather toe ring is both decorative and functional, keeping the foot securely in place. Though pricier at $240, these sandals represent slow fashion at its finest—they’ll last for years rather than a single season, as evidenced by the vintage pair I saw on an older woman in Chelsea Market.
8. MANGO Toe Loop Flat Sandal
Bold metallic finishes dominated MANGO’s take on the toe ring trend. The silver pair that caught my eye in Greenwich Village reflected the sunlight with every step, creating a walking light show against the city backdrop.
Unlike leather versions that require breaking in, these came with surprising comfort right out of the box according to the NYU student I chatted with. The wider toe loop distributes pressure more evenly, preventing that between-toe discomfort many similar styles cause.
Priced at just $49.99, they deliver maximum visual impact for minimal investment. Their versatility was evident as I spotted them paired with both casual denim and a flowing maxi dress within the same block of Washington Square Park.
9. Crocs Miami Toe Loop Sandal
Comfort meets unexpected style in Crocs’ contribution to the toe ring revolution. Forget everything you thought you knew about the brand—these sleek sandals bear little resemblance to their famous clogs, featuring a streamlined silhouette that’s been embraced by the fashion-forward crowd.
The LiteRide™ foam footbeds make these the most comfortable option I encountered all day. A dog walker juggling three leashes in Brooklyn Heights swore they were “like walking on clouds” even after miles of city trekking.
Available in matte black, they offer a stealth comfort option that doesn’t scream “practical shoe.” At $39.99, they represent perhaps the best value-to-comfort ratio in the entire toe ring sandal category.
10. Rag & Bone Geo Strappy Ring Sandal
Architectural elements define Rag & Bone’s sophisticated take on the toe ring trend. The geometric metal hardware creates visual interest that elevated a simple jeans-and-tee outfit on a woman browsing at the Union Square Farmers Market.
Leather sourced from Italian tanneries gives these sandals a premium feel that justifies their $295 price point. The asymmetrical straps create a distinctive footprint—literally—that I recognized three times during my downtown walk.
Most impressive was their versatility; I spotted them paired with both casual weekend wear and, surprisingly, with a lightweight summer suit on a woman exiting a Flatiron District office building. The neutral stone color works effortlessly with virtually any palette.
11. St Agni Keko Sandal – Black
Australian brand St Agni has captured the hearts of New York’s fashion minimalists with their ultra-stripped-back aesthetic. The Keko sandal features the thinnest possible straps—almost dental floss-like in their delicacy—creating the illusion of barely-there footwear.
Hand-woven in limited quantities, these sandals have developed a cult following. A boutique owner in NoLIta explained they can barely keep them in stock despite the $245 price tag.
The whisper-thin leather toe ring requires some breaking in, according to a woman enjoying an iced coffee outside a Williamsburg café. “Worth it though,” she added, demonstrating how the black leather disappears against the foot for the ultimate minimalist summer shoe statement.
12. Steve Madden Fuze Sandals
Accessibility meets trend-awareness in Steve Madden’s interpretation of the toe ring phenomenon. The Fuze sandals bring playful elements to the minimalist design through unexpected color combinations and textures.
A group of tourists taking photos on the Brooklyn Bridge were all sporting different variations—the lime green pair particularly popped against the iconic skyline backdrop. The slightly cushioned footbed makes these a practical choice for all-day city exploration.
At $79.95, they hit the sweet spot between fast fashion and investment piece pricing. The woman wearing the woven raffia version told me she’d bought them specifically for her New York trip after seeing them all over her Instagram feed—proof that this trend has truly gone nationwide.
13. ANCIENT GREEK SANDALS Eleftheria Satin Sandals
Evening-appropriate toe ring sandals do exist, as proven by the stunning Eleftheria satin version from Ancient Greek Sandals. The intricately woven upper creates a caged effect that’s both decorative and supportive.
Outside a trendy Lower East Side restaurant, these elevated sandals transformed a simple slip dress into dinner-worthy attire. Unlike leather versions, the midnight blue satin adds textural interest and subtle sheen that catches the light of taxi headlights.
The craftsmanship justifies the $275 price tag—each loop is meticulously hand-woven and secured. “I’ve had mine for three summers,” shared a woman waiting for the downtown train at Spring Street, demonstrating that quality construction can make even delicate-looking footwear surprisingly durable.