May 1st means summer footwear is no longer a preview — it’s the decision. The best sandals and wedges sell out in the good sizes and colors before June, and the women who have already thought about their summer shoe wardrobe are the ones who aren’t scrambling in July for something that works with the linen dress they just bought. The trends this summer are among the most wearable in recent years: raffia and natural textures, the barely-there strap that keeps returning because it always works, the kitten heel flip-flop elevation that makes flat feel polished, the low block heel that gives comfort without compromise. Eight pairs across every category — from the statement sandal to the retro sneaker — worth knowing about now.
What You’ll Find In This Post:
- 8 Summer Shoes You Need Right Now
- 1. The Statement Sandal for Special Occasions
- 2. The Barely-There Sandal That Lengthens Every Outfit
- 3. The Raffia Platform That Belongs on the Boardwalk
- 4. The Minimalist Slide With the Cork Moment
- 5. The Flat Slide for Every Day
- 6. The Espadrille Wedge That Never Goes Out of Style
- 7. The Elevated Flip-Flop Making Everyone Look Twice
- 8. The Retro Sneaker That Goes With Summer Too
- Mini FAQ
- More Shoe Inspiration
8 Summer Shoes You Need Right Now
1. The Statement Sandal for Special Occasions
Jewel Badgley Mischka Pacific Block Heel Sandal
If you’re looking for a summer shoe that feels special without sacrificing comfort, this one checks every box. The low block heel gives you height and stability (a must for women over 50), while the cushioned footbed keeps it wearable beyond just dinner plans. What really sets it apart are the pearlescent shell details — they add just enough shimmer to elevate even the simplest outfit. Pair it with dresses, linen pants, or even dark denim for an easy, polished look that feels right on trend but still timeless.
2. The Barely-There Sandal That Lengthens Every Outfit
Dolce Vita Karlos Ankle Strap Sandal
This is exactly the kind of “barely-there” sandal that’s having a major moment right now — and for good reason. The slim, strappy design keeps the look light and modern, while the low block heel (about 1.5″) gives you just enough lift without sacrificing stability. The adjustable ankle strap adds a secure fit, and the soft neutral leather works with everything from breezy dresses to tailored summer pants. This is one of those rare finds that feels both on trend and incredibly wearable — polished enough for dinner, but comfortable enough for all-day plans. It also creates that subtle leg-lengthening effect thanks to the minimal design, which keeps your outfit looking streamlined and elegant.
3. The Raffia Platform That Belongs on the Boardwalk
Marc Fisher LTD Daylin Platform Sandal
If you’re looking for a shoe that feels fresh for summer 2026 but still totally wearable, this is it. The woven raffia texture gives that effortless, coastal-chic look we’re seeing everywhere right now, while the platform sole adds height without the usual strain. The cushioned footbed and sturdy base make it far more comfortable than it looks — so you can actually walk in it all day without thinking twice. This is one of those statement neutrals that works harder than you’d expect. Pair it with linen pants, breezy dresses, or even denim and a crisp white shirt — it instantly pulls everything together while keeping the overall look relaxed and elevated. For women over 50, it hits that sweet spot: stylish, modern, and genuinely practical.
4. The Minimalist Slide With the Cork Moment
Schutz Victorie Block Heel Sandal
This is exactly the kind of sandal that defines summer style right now — clean, minimal, and incredibly versatile. The transparent straps give you that “barely-there” look (hello, longer leg line), while the cork heel adds just enough texture to keep things interesting without feeling trendy-for-the-sake-of-trendy. It’s the perfect balance of polished and effortless. What I love most is how wearable this style is. The block heel gives you stability and comfort for all-day plans, and the neutral palette pairs seamlessly with everything from linen dresses to denim to tailored summer outfits. This is one of those shoes that quietly elevates your entire wardrobe — no overthinking required. And if you’re paying attention to 2026 trends, minimalist straps and natural textures like cork are everywhere right now.
5. The Flat Slide for Every Day
This is the kind of sandal that instantly says “summer” — easy, natural, and effortlessly chic. The woven raffia footbed gives it that relaxed, coastal feel, while the geometric leather straps add just enough structure to elevate it beyond a basic slide. It’s casual, but still polished — exactly what you want for everyday warm-weather dressing. What makes this pair especially worth it? Comfort and versatility. The flat silhouette is easy to slip on and go, while the neutral palette works with everything — linen pants, denim shorts, breezy dresses, you name it. This is one of those grab-and-go shoes you’ll wear on repeat all season.
6. The Espadrille Wedge That Never Goes Out of Style
André Assous Nolita Wedge Slide Sandal
If you’re looking for a sandal that gives you height and comfort, this is it. The espadrille-style wedge is one of the biggest trends this season, and for good reason — it offers stability, walkability, and that effortless “summer chic” vibe all in one. What makes this pair stand out is the texture. The braided raffia and subtle stitching detail add dimension and interest, while the double-band design keeps everything secure and flattering on the foot. It’s the kind of shoe that instantly elevates a simple outfit — think linen pants, breezy dresses, or even your everyday denim.
7. The Elevated Flip-Flop Making Everyone Look Twice
Open Edit Tori Kitten Heel Sandal
This is the trend you’ll be seeing everywhere this summer — the elevated flip-flop. It’s minimal, modern, and surprisingly chic. The slim straps keep things sleek and unfussy, while the low kitten heel gives just enough lift to feel polished without sacrificing comfort. What makes this style worth it? Versatility. You can throw these on with denim and a tee for daytime, then pair them with a midi dress or linen set for dinner and instantly look put-together. The 1.5-inch heel adds a subtle boost without slowing you down, which is exactly why kitten heels are having such a strong comeback — they deliver style and wearability.
8. The Retro Sneaker That Goes With Summer Too
Adidas Handball Spezial Sneaker
If you’re looking for a sneaker that’s on-trend without feeling overdone, this is it. The adidas Handball Spezial has that perfect retro silhouette — low-profile, streamlined, and finished with a classic gum sole — that instantly elevates your everyday outfits. Originally designed for indoor sport in the late ’70s, it’s now a street-style favorite for a reason. What makes this pair stand out right now is the mix of texture and color. The soft suede overlays and subtle pattern give it a feminine, slightly elevated feel, while the silver accents add just enough polish. It’s sporty, but not too athletic — which is exactly where sneaker trends are headed. For women over 50, this is a smart sneaker choice: supportive, stylish, and not bulky. It gives you that modern, pulled-together look while still being completely wearable — and that’s the sweet spot.
The Summer 2026 Shoe Trends To Follow
Raffia and natural textures are the material story of the season. Three pairs in this edit — the Marc Fisher platform, the Sam Edelman flat slide, and the André Assous espadrille — use raffia or natural fiber construction. This isn’t coincidental: the natural texture trend that’s been running through home décor, bags, and hats has fully arrived in footwear. It signals the season, works with the season’s palette, and has a warmth that synthetic materials don’t replicate.
The barely-there strap continues its run. Minimal strapping — the Dolce Vita ankle strap, the Schutz transparent slide, the Open Edit kitten heel thong — is the dominant sandal silhouette for the second consecutive summer. The reasons are practical as much as aesthetic: minimal strapping shows more foot, which creates the leg-lengthening effect that makes every outfit look more polished regardless of heel height.
The kitten heel has moved from spring into summer. The spring shoe edit established the kitten heel’s return. The Open Edit Tori confirms it’s staying through summer in a more casual, sandal-appropriate format. The heel height that offers genuine stability without sacrificing the visual lift of a heel is the summer sweet spot for women over 50.
The retro low-profile sneaker is the casual shoe of the moment. The Handball Spezial’s late-’70s silhouette is part of the broader retro sportswear trend that has been building for several seasons. The low-profile, non-bulky sneaker is specifically the shape that works with summer dressing — it doesn’t visually weigh down light linen and cotton the way a chunky trainer does.
How to Build a Summer Shoe Wardrobe From These Eight Picks
The flat slide is the foundation. The Sam Edelman Bay is the shoe you reach for first every warm morning — easy, comfortable, appropriate for everything from the grocery store to the outdoor lunch. Every summer wardrobe needs one reliable flat slide; this is the one.
The block heel sandal is the elevation. Either the Jewel Badgley Mischka for special occasions or the Dolce Vita Karlos for the everyday polished look — one block heel in the rotation covers every occasion that the flat slide doesn’t.
The wedge is for the days you want height without effort. The André Assous espadrille or the Marc Fisher raffia platform — a wedge distributes weight more evenly than a stiletto heel at any height and is significantly more comfortable for extended outdoor wear. Summer days that involve standing, walking, and socializing call for a wedge over a heel.
The sneaker handles the activewear crossover. The Handball Spezial is the sneaker that goes with summer activewear and with casual summer dressing interchangeably — the piece that eliminates the need for both an athletic sneaker and a fashion sneaker in the summer rotation.
Mini FAQ
May — now. The best sizes in the most popular styles sell out before July, and buying in May gives you the full season of use rather than July through September. If you’re ordering online, buy now and return what doesn’t fit rather than waiting until the selection has thinned.
Yes — with the right platform. A thick, even platform sole (like the Marc Fisher Daylin) distributes weight evenly and is often more comfortable than a standard heel because it reduces the angle of the foot. Platforms to avoid: very high platforms (over 3 inches) that create instability, or platforms with uneven weight distribution. The Daylin’s chunky, sturdy base is specifically appropriate for women who want height without the challenge of a heel.
Transparent PVC straps have less give than leather, which can mean pressure points during extended wear. Break them in on shorter outings before a full day out. If pressure is an issue, a thin layer of anti-blister balm applied to the contact points before wearing resolves most PVC strap discomfort.
The Handball Spezial runs in standard width only through most retailers. For women who need a wider fit, the low-profile retro sneaker category has options from New Balance and Nike that offer similar styling in wider widths.
The jute wedge base on an espadrille is more stable than a stiletto on cobblestone, but the flat bottom of an espadrille wedge (versus a rounded heel) can catch on uneven pavers. Wear on smooth surfaces for confidence; exercise care on very uneven cobblestone or gravel.
✨ Beth’s Take: The Summer Shoe Decision That Matters Most
Every summer I make the same mistake and then correct it — I wait too long on the sandal I actually want and settle for something available in my size in September. The lesson is always the same: buy in May. The sandal I’m reaching for this summer is the Dolce Vita Karlos, which I picked up already. The barely-there strap, the 1.5-inch block heel, the adjustable ankle strap that actually keeps it on — these are the specifics that make a sandal wearable rather than simply attractive on a screen.
The Sam Edelman Bay flat slide is the other early purchase: the grab-and-go shoe for every warm morning, the shoe that requires no thought, the one that will be on my feet for more hours of summer than any other single pair. Raffia footbed, cognac leather strap, flat and easy and exactly right. The wardrobe value of a genuinely good flat slide in summer is underestimated consistently by everyone who doesn’t own one and immediately understood by everyone who does.
The Handball Spezial is the acquisition I’m most excited about — the sneaker that works with the spring activewear pieces we covered yesterday and with the casual summer dressing that makes up most of May and June. The light blue suede is the specific colorway worth getting, and the sizes go fast. Consider yourself warned.
More Shoe Inspiration
For the spring shoes that bridge the transition into these summer styles, Spring Shoes for Women Over 50: 10 Best Picks for 2026 covers the full spring footwear picture. And for the specific spring shoe trends that connect directly to the summer shoe story in this post, 5 Trending Spring Shoes That’ll Make You Rethink Your Entire Wardrobe! is the companion read that shows how the season’s shoe narrative developed.
Closing Thoughts
It’s Time for Summer Shoes
Buy the flat slide and the block heel sandal now — those are the two that cover the full range of summer occasions and the two that sell out fastest in the right sizes and colors. Add a wedge for the days that call for height and ease simultaneously. Let the Handball Spezial handle the casual summer mornings that the sandals don’t. Eight shoes, every summer scenario covered. The season is almost here. The wardrobe should be ready before it arrives.
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