Summer Sandals for Women Over 50: The Styles Worth Buying This Year

The older I get, the pickier I am about sandals. I’ve bought plenty of adorable pairs over the years — the kind that look like little works of art sitting in the box — that never actually made it out of the closet, because my feet staged a quiet revolt the first time I wore them. And then there are the comfortable ones that are so plain and clunky they do absolutely nothing for an outfit.

These days, I want both. Cute and comfortable. Supportive and stylish. And here’s the good news: in 2026, you really can have it all. The brands have finally caught up, the trends are leaning easy and wearable, and there has never been a better time to build a summer sandal rotation that covers every occasion without punishing your feet. (And once you’ve found your pairs, don’t forget to prep — here’s my sandal pedicure guide for summer-ready feet.)

So today I’m walking you through the seven sandals worth buying this year — the supportive everyday pair, the dressy block heel, the easy slide, the strappy neutral, the wedge, the trend pick, and the sporty one that handles real summer life. Six options in each, at a range of price points. Let’s find your pairs.

Shop Beth’s Cover Look: Floral Belted Flare Dress | Cora Kitten Heel Sandals | Wavy Gold Hinge Cuff | Bamboo Enamel Hinged Bangle | Moonstone Bracelet | Baroque Pearl Necklace | Similar Pink Suede Handbag 

1. The Everyday Walking Sandal

This is the workhorse — the pair you reach for on errand days, travel days, and the long walks that somehow turn into much longer outings. The non-negotiables here are a contoured footbed, real arch support, and adjustable straps that accommodate a foot that swells a little as the day goes on. The trick is finding all of that in a sandal that still looks good with a sundress, not just with cargo shorts.

The pairs in this category prove you don’t have to choose. The Birkenstock Arizona is the icon for a reason — that cork footbed molds to your foot over time — and the big-buckle version feels a touch more modern. The Vionic Palisades and Cole Haan Kami deliver hidden arch support in a sleeker silhouette, while the Sorel Ella III and Aerosoles Liana lean into the chunkier, trend-right “dad sandal” sole that’s having a real moment. The Vivaia Square Toe Walker rounds it out with a washable, travel-friendly option.

Shop Beth’s Picks

• Vionic Palisades Sandal
• Birkenstock Arizona Big Buckle Slide Sandal
• Sorel Ella III Crisscross Sandals
• Vivaia Square Toe Walker Sandals
• Cole Haan Kami Buckle Sandals
• Aerosoles Liana Sandals

✨Beth’s Style Tip: If you’re on your feet for hours, look for a sandal with a backstrap or ankle strap rather than a pure slide — it keeps your foot from gripping to stay in the shoe, which is what causes that end-of-day ache.

2. The Dressy Block Heel

For evenings out, summer weddings, garden parties, and dinners on the patio, nothing beats a block heel. A stable 1.5–2.5″ block gives you height and polish without the wobble (or the agony) of a stiletto — which matters more, not less, as we get a little wiser about what our feet will tolerate.

This category has range. The Talbots Lily and Naturalizer Jordis bring strappy, ankle-secured elegance in navy and snake print. The Marc Fisher Farell and Beach by Matisse Lucy lean into texture — woven raffia, a gold accent — for that effortless summer-evening look. And the Schutz Victorie, with its clear vinyl straps, is the sleeper hit: it goes with absolutely everything and elongates the leg beautifully. The Larroudé Milan is the splurge, but it’s the kind of shoe you’ll reach for season after season.

Shop Beth’s Picks

• Talbots Lily Strappy Nappa Block Heel Sandals
• Marc Fisher Farell Embellished Square Toe Slide Sandal
• Naturalizer Jordis T-Strap Sandal
• Larroudé Milan Sandal
• Beach by Matisse Lucy Heeled Sandal
• Schutz Victorie Sandals 

✨Beth’s Style Tip: A block heel in a nude-to-your-skin tone visually lengthens the leg, which is why it’s worth having one neutral pair even if you’re drawn to the prints. The snake and the raffia are the fun; the nude is the foundation.

3. The Easy Flat Slide

The grab-and-go pair. Slip them on with no fuss and head out the door — they work with white jeans, a sundress, linen trousers, everything — even the Bermuda shorts I styled recently, which are having a real moment this summer. The only thing I’d watch for is structure: a slide with a bit of shape to the footbed will carry you through the day far better than a flimsy flat.

The picks here cover every mood. The Sam Edelman Bay is the cult favorite — that woven cutout strap is instantly recognizable and goes with everything. The J.Crew Belted and Aerosoles Denim slides add a little hardware and color, while the Everlane Day Crossover and Margaux Selene give you that clean, architectural Euro-summer look. The Madewell Mila, with its single gold hardware detail, is the easiest possible way to look pulled together in three seconds flat.

Shop Beth’s Picks

• Sam Edelman Bay Multicolor Slide Sandal
• J.Crew Belted Sandals in Canvas and Leather
• Aerosoles Flat Slide in Blue Denim
• Madewell Mila Organic Hardware Thong Slide
• Everlane The Day Crossover Slide Sandal
• Margeaux Selene Flat Sandal

4. The Metallic or Neutral Strappy Sandal

If I could only keep one category, it might be this one. A metallic or neutral strappy sandal is the single hardest-working color story in your closet — gold, bronze, tan, or cognac that pairs with literally everything from your dressiest dress to your best white pants. Delicate enough to dress up, simple enough to dress down. Delicate enough to dress up, simple enough to dress down.

The range here spans flat to heeled. The Sam Edelman Calla and Kate Spade Loop are barely-there flats that read elegant with a maxi dress. The gold-and-cognac strappy styles — including the Sam Edelman Amie kitten heel and the J.Crew Factory pair — add a whisper of height. And the Vince Camuto Kespa mule and Veronica Beard Via 55 bring the metallic moment up to a confident block heel. Gold or silver genuinely function as a neutral in summer; trust me on this.

Shop Beth’s Picks

• Vince Camuto Kespa Mule
• Veronica Beard Via 55 Sandal
• J.Crew Factory Strappy Sandals
• Kate Spade New York Loop Ankle Strap Flat Sandal
• Sam Edelman Amie Kitten Heel Sandal
• Sam Edelman Calla Strappy Flat Sandal

5. The Espadrille or Low Wedge

Height without the risk. A wedge or espadrille distributes your weight across the whole foot rather than balancing it on a narrow heel, which makes it dramatically more comfortable and more stable — a perennial over-50 favorite for exactly that reason. And the woven jute or raffia of an espadrille is summer in shoe form.

This bucket gives you options from refined to cushioned. The Talbots Pamela and Sam Edelman Pauleena are classic, elegant espadrille silhouettes. The Aerosoles and Easy Spirit Edythe wedges add comfort tech under a pretty exterior, while the Lands’ End espadrille keeps it simple and affordable. And the Cole Haan OriginalGrand Peyton flatform is the modern outlier — a level platform that gives you lift without any incline at all, which some feet much prefer.

Shop Beth’s Picks

• Talbots Pamela Vachetta Wedge Sandals
• Sam Edelman Pauleena Espadrille Sandal
• Aerosoles Wedge Sandal in Faux Leather
• Easy Spirit Edythe Wedge Sandals
• Lands’ End Espadrille Sandal
• Cole Haan OriginalGrand Peyton Flatform

6. The 2026 Trend Pick

leaning nostalgic and playful: slim ’90s wedges, fisherman sandals (bonus points if they’re jelly), toe-ring and thong styles, and embellished or studded straps. I’ve steered toward the most wearable versions of each so you get the fashion-forward look without the fashion-victim regret.

Here’s the spread. The J.Crew Jelly Fisherman and Dolce Vita Julio (in tortoise vinyl) are the jelly/fisherman trend done right. The Sam Edelman Grace and Freda Salvador Paxton tap the studded toe-ring look. The Silent D Anisa is your slim ’90s wedge mule. And the Jack Rogers Jewel flip-flop is the embellished pick — a little sparkle for vacation dinners and pool-to-patio days.

✨Beth’s Style Tip: Trends are the most fun when you treat them as the accent, not the foundation. If you’re trying the toe-ring or the jelly fisherman, keep the rest of the outfit classic — the contrast is what makes it look intentional rather than costume-y.

Shop Beth’s Picks

• J.Crew Jelly Fisherman Sandals
• Silent D Anisa Strappy Wedge Mule
• Sam Edelman Grace Toe Strap Sandal
• Freda Salvador Paxton Sandal
• Dolce Vita Julio Sandals in Tortoise Vinyl
• Jack Rogers Jewel Flip Flop

7. The Sporty/Active Sandal

Last but absolutely not least: the pair that handles real summer life. Beach, boat, lake, travel, and grandkid duty all call for something cushioned, secure, and ideally washable. (If travel’s on your summer calendar, they pair nicely with my Memorial Day weekend packing list.) This is the category that’s improved the most in recent years; sporty no longer means frumpy.

The picks here are built for activity. The Teva Midform Kena brings that iconic webbed-strap look on a comfortable platform. The Keen Elle and Reef Vista Isabella give you secure, all-day backstrap comfort, and the OluKai La’i offers that island-brand quality that holds up to water. The two Vivaia AdaptAll styles round it out with serious arch support and a stretchy, adaptive fit that’s wonderful for feet that swell or need a little extra room.

Shop Beth’s Picks

• Olukai La’i T-Bar Strappy Sandals
• Teva Midform Kena Slim Sandals
• Keen Elle Backstrap Sandals
• Vivaia Arch Pro AdaptAll Paloma Sandals
• Reef Vista Isabella Sandals
• Vivaia AdaptAll Walker Sandals

Spring is here… and if you’re staring at your shoes, wondering what actually works anymore, this video is for you. I’m sharing 10 spring shoes that are stylish, comfortable, and truly worth your money — especially for women over 50. No extreme trends. No uncomfortable styles. Just real shoes that work in real life.

Closing Thoughts – Summer Sandals for Women Over 50

You don’t need all forty-two of these, but you probably need one from a few of these categories. My honest advice: start with the everyday walking sandal and one neutral strappy pair, because between them, they’ll cover 80% of your summer. Then add a block heel for occasions, a sporty pair for real activity, and one trend pick if you’re in the mood to play. Build the rotation, and you’ll never stand in front of your closet barefoot and frustrated again.

Here’s to a summer of happy feet!  ☀️