As the biting wind and endless drizzle rolls on far longer into May than we had hoped, it’s easy to forget that hot holidays, park picnics and balmy summer nights are just around the corner. But don’t make the mistake of leaving your annual sandals purchase to the 11th hour, when half the stock is depleted and only the odd colours are left.
A damp and cold spring is in fact the perfect time to buy your annual investment pair of summer sandals – even it does feel strange to splurge when you’re still stomping around in your winter boots.
And this year there’s something for everyone. From minimal flip-flops to lazy girl slippers and even some sweet nostalgia, read on for the six silhouettes to know.
Fashion flip-flops
If there’s one thing the fashion set agrees on for summer ’26, it’s the haute flip-flop. Propounded by pared-back brands like Toteme and The Row for several summers now and boosted by the current Carolyn Bessette obsession, the minimal leather flip-flop is the number one sandal to have in your footwear arsenal this summer.
Four to shop:
Toteme
Emme Parsons
Loeffler Randall
Massimo Dutti
Jelly shoes
If you thought we had left this nostalgic shoe trend in 2025, think again: the jelly sandal continues its playful reign in summer 2026. Ancient Greek’s Saionara thong sandals and Christopher Esber’s entirely see-through style will continue to be minimalists’ catnip, but for the maximal dressers Chloe debuted an altogether wackier jelly for summer ’26. Delightfully reminiscent of the slip-on dress-up shoes many of us had as children, the Chloe Jelly Knotted Mules are cool, kitsch, and surprisingly versatile – wear them with jeans or dresses and let the compliments flood in.
Four to shop:
Chloe
Jimmy Choo
Ancient Greek
Christopher Esber
The woven summer slipper
Can’t be bothered to get that pedi or frankly even leave the house? Probably time you invested in some chic summer slippers. Last year it was all about satin boudoir-like finishes, but for summer ’26 the fashion set is embracing woven and mesh. For the latter, look to Miu Miu and Cos, while crochet styles can be found at Arket, Staud and Jimmy Choo.
Six to shop:
Miu Miu
Cos
Arket
Jimmy Choo
Ancient Greek
Staud
Wedges
Following in the wake of our collective kitten heel obsession comes another ’90s shoe trend that’s set to supersede slingbacks in 2026. Wedge heel details cropped up on the runways at Isabel Marant, Khaite and Simkhai and whether you opt for a strappy sandal, a mule or a flip-flop, a wedge brings a fun, fresh energy to everything from cocktail dresses to summer tailoring.
Four to shop:
Mango
Vix Paula Hermanny
Aeyde
Isabel Marant
Rope Sandals
Miu Miu’s rope sandals ignited a major rope love-in last year and the style continues to feel relevant in 2026, albeit with much more affordable options now on offer. Schuh’s khaki pair offers designer vibes for under £30 while Veronica Beard’s scarlet red hue is the dopamine hit your summer wardrobe needs.
Four to shop:
Schuh
Hush
M&S
Veronica Beard
Sweet simplicity
While the style magpies will be distracted by all the playful sandal options on offer this summer, purists will be pleased to know that pared back strappy leather sandals will forever be classic. From Toteme’s T-bar style to Paris Texas’s dainty Montecarlo metallic strappy sandals, less really can be more.
Four to shop:
Toteme
Paris Texas
Reformation
A Emery
