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While dresses and swimsuits usually garner the most attention from the fashion crowd in the summer, beach sandals deserve just as much praise. After all, the very best styles make trodding through the sand and tip-toeing around shore-crashing waves a stylish adventure.
Of course, there are a dizzying amount of options to shop, but we’re always up to the sartorial task. Ahead, we’ve combined our industry insights on the most important summer trends with our love for comfortable shoes. The results: an easy-to-shop list of the best beach sandals around.
There’s something for every mood and personality. Feel like releasing your inner child? The summer time is the perfect moment to do so, especially since those squishy jelly sandals are trending again. Or maybe you’re more of a Carrie Bradshaw and want to go back in time with a bit of ’90s minimalism. A chic thong flip-flop will do the trick. No matter what you’re craving, discover the best beach sandals to keep you looking and feeling great, below.
Playful Rubber & Jelly
The Row is known for its usually subdued color palette of sublimely tailored suits and elevated wardrobe essentials. So, of course, it was quite a surprise to see the first model in the brand’s pre-fall 2024 collection strutting down the runway in a pair of bright red jelly sandals. It was as if she had just returned from an island getaway and forgot to switch out her shoes for something that matched the pragmatic spirit of her trench coat and shirtdress. That was just the beginning of the squishy, transparent-shoe movement. Ancient Greek Sandals also entered the chat with its own caged jelly sandal called the Iro. And Loewe also elevated the rubbery trend with a logo-stamped creation. The dopamine-inducing colors are enough to make anyone add to cart, ASAP. But in addition to being undeniably cute eye candy (or should we say feet candy?), jellies are also a functional, waterproof option. So there’s no need to worry about getting them wet.
Woven Wonders
Whether you’re a classic one-piece wearer or a stringy bikini lover, the easiest way to add a fashion-forward touch to your beach look is with a shoe that has an interesting texture. From intertwined raffia to crafty crochet, woven details always stand out in the best way. Alaïa elevates the trend with a mule-like sandal that features a V-shaped, peep-toe cutout. Loeffler Randall, on the other hand, amplifies the glamour with a raffia slide that’s wrapped into a pretty bow, while Bembien puts a polished touch on the woven sandal by anchoring its design with leather trim. What’s even better? If you want to go all matchy-matchy, there are plenty of cute raffia bags to pair with your woven beach sandals.
Superstar Slingbacks
For more support, rely on the security of a sandal that comes with a slingback strap. Miu Miu showed us how it’s done on the runway with a sporty design that’s reminiscent of the cord friendship bracelets from our childhood. On the other side of the slingback spectrum, St. Agni’s take whispers chic, thanks to a sinuous set of barely-there straps. And Gucci does what it does best, keeping the dad sandal trend alive with its instantly recognizable GG-emblazoned logo. No matter, your style ethos, there’s a slingback sandal for everyone to buckle into this summer.
Minimalist Magic
Hate them or love them, a sleek flip-flop will forever be a foolproof option for jaunts to the beach. Before you call them basic, know that the thong sandal has escaped the clutches of boring essentials and risen to the top ranks as a trend du jour. On TikTok, they’re giving Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy credit as a source of effortlessly chic inspiration. However, some modern-day muses who have opted for the nonchalant ease of the minimalist sandal include Kendall Jenner, Suki Waterhouse, and Jennifer Lawrence, who wore hers on the red carpet at Cannes last summer. Proenza Schouler proved that they’re runway-worthy with a thick-strapped design, but there are plenty of affordable and expertly crafted options—like the beloved Tkees flip-flop, below.
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