NoIsn’t it time yet? If the dancing climate still stops us from uncovering our feetwhat today appears like a taboo will soon become the norm. Summer sandals are ready to conquer our shoe racks and some of them, it is undeniable, have already appeared in the street style looks of the most daring, as well as on the catwalks of stylists.
The momentum is subtle but decisive, the aesthetic oscillates between Nineties nostalgia, sophisticated minimalism and more relaxed boho accents, while comfort remains, but never at the expense of style. Here they all are women’s sandal trends to know well in advance for Spring Summer 2026, so as not to be unprepared for the arrival of the good season.
White Cloud Dancer
Cloud Dancer is the shade of white that Pantone has chosen as the absolute protagonist of 2026. An airy, elegant and incredibly easy to match off-whiteperfect for immediately lightening the look without being too severe. The presence is also very strong in the footwear department, especially in the form of minimal sandals. Characterized by thin straps (Tove), flat or with a barely there heel (Diotima), or even country chic cage style (Emporio Armani), as long as they stand out thanks to the original white note.
Crossed summer sandals
Sandals with crossed straps (or it would be better to say strips) are the 2026 answer to those looking for a comfortable, refined but not banal summer shoe. Less seen than the classic leather sandal, they wrap the foot with a slimming effect and immediately adds character to the outfit. The strong point of these summer sandals? They appear refined and feminine even without heels (Ralph Lauren Collection, Miu Miu). And without losing that “quiet luxury” simplicity that continues to work. And there is also a more eccentric version, in velvet with applications (Giambattista Valli).
The crossed sandals at the Ralph Lauren Spring Summer 2026 collection show. (Spotlight Launchmetrics)
Flip flops
From beach shoe to urban chic object of desire: in Spring Summer 2026, flip-flops continue their transformation in a fashion key. The top model is divided into two large families: on the one hand the flat, essential flip-flops; on the other heeled flip-flops, direct heirs of the Nineties aestheticthinner, more sensual and surprisingly versatile. The Spring Summer 2026 catwalks confirmed them as one of the strongest trends of the season, from the hyper-sexy models of Mugler and Max Mara to the ultra-comfortable flat versions of Tod’s and Kent&Curven.
The heeled thong sandals from the Mugler Spring Summer 2026 show. (Spotlight Launchmetrics)
90s mules
There are trends that never really come back just because of nostalgia. This is the case of heeled mules, another Nineties-style find that everyone already has on their feet. The difference compared to the past? In addition to the basic versions, in Spring Summer 2026 summer sandals find their place in the sun in pop and girlie colours, printed or with micro bows (Dior docet). Modern Barbies wear them with straight jeansalso on the catwalk (Aje). One of the unmissable revivals of the season, above all for its versatility.
The 90s mule sandals from the Aje Spring Summer 2026 fashion show. (Spotlight Launchmetrics)
Summer sandals with wedge
If there is a trend that is truly surprising in 2026, it is the wedge. The new versions of summer sandals supported by solid heights abandon the Dolce Vita style holiday effect and they focus everything on boho chic contaminations. Also to be combined in an urban, even elegant way: the Spring Summer 2026 catwalks relaunched the model in multiple forms, from sandals with suede wedges (Isabel Marant) to the clog model, up to the flip-flops with laces and wooden or cork wedge (Zimmermann).
Wedge sandals from the Isabel Marant Spring Summer 2026 show. (Spotlight Launchmetrics)
And if the designers agree on the gypsy big toe, the collections of designer summer sandals already in the shops also focus on the version with plexi heel or in glossy paint.
To always be one step ahead.
