Classic summer outfit formulas, like shorts and a tank top or linen trousers and a T-shirt, offer the perfect canvases for statement accessories. From hair bows to silk neckties, small details can elevate an otherwise understated outfit, but the finishing touch that will have the most profound effect is, of course, a great shoe.
Read more: 8 Spring/Summer 2025 Shoe Trends To Know And Shop
Forget any notions that sandals are the only shoes for summer – it’s time to welcome a new line-up to your collection. Clogs, flip-flops, rope sandals, trainers and mesh flats are all key players in a successful summer wardrobe, whether you’re staying at home or travelling. As for styling? The options are endless. Your favourite dresses, skirts, jorts and trousers will all pair well with the aforementioned footwear styles.
Below, British Vogue guides you through the best warm weather shoes to invest in for summer 2025.
In this article
Boho clogs
Clogs have emerged as one of the top trends for spring/summer 2025, rendered in new fabrications and colourways that are anything but passé. Perfect for day-to-night dressing, they’re equal parts comfortable and stylish.
Colourful and lace-up ballerinas
Ballet flats have made a comeback in recent seasons – thanks, in part, to the fact that they’re a failsafe choice of footwear for any occasion. This season, choose between lace-up iterations – with ribbons snaking up your calves – or a classic pump silhouette, which you can find in a range of bold hues.
Fashion flip-flops
Hesitant to depart with your Havaianas after a day at the beach? Enter: fashion flip-flops, which will see you through hot summer days as well as balmy evenings. Whether in leather or suede, with or without a heel, they are the perfect finishing touch to everyday outfits as well as elegant evening attire.
Rope sandals
Straddling the line between boho and Gorpcore, rope sandals are a versatile summer shoe that will go with just about anything. White linen dress? Check. Shirt and jeans? Check. These are the summer shoes you can’t do without this season.
Fishermans and strappy sandals
Strappy sandals and fishermans serve different purposes in a wardrobe – but that’s not to say one outweighs the other. Consider fishermans your practical shoe, ready to endure sand or dust on summer walks, meanwhile strappy sandals are the ultimate nighttime companion.
Colourful sandals
From hazy hues to the brightest shades, colourful sandals are the perfect antidote to a plain outfit. When it comes to picking a colour, consider what would fit into your wardrobe and avoid anything that sways too far from your personal style.
Slipper sandals
Post pandemic, comfort has become synonymous with everyday style. In the footwear department, this has prompted an influx of slipper-like sandals, which are just as suitable for running errands in the city as they are for chilling on the beach.
See-through shoes
From naked dresses to second-skin tops and barely-there shoes, the transparent trend comes into its own during summer. The finishing touch? A fresh pedicure, of course!
Mesh flats
Lightweight, flexible design makes mesh shoes ideal for everyday use, keeping you cool and comfortable even on the hottest days. From embellished ballet flats by Khaite and Christopher Esber, to more minimalist styles from H&M and Kurt Geiger, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Colourful trainers
The brighter, the better, is the main message when it comes to trainers right now. Rainbow hues have dominated the market, with key styles including Adidas’s Japans, Sambas and Gazelles, and Nike’s Cortez, available in an array of enticing hues.
