Imagine this: It’s 10 a.m. on a Saturday morning and you just rolled out of bed. You check the temperature (it’s a high of 75) and crack the windows open while you apply a bit of makeup before you walk to meet your friends at your favorite coffee shop. You throw on your favorite summer dress. And instead of overthinking your footwear choice, you slip into a new pair of sandals. They’re easy to walk in (no blisters around these parts), and are a complete upgrade from the pair you wore to death last year. Summer 2026’s sandal trends are here—and they’re guaranteed to fill the boot-shaped hole that appeared in your closet when winter left.
Summer dressing is all about ease. When the temperature is up and calendars are filled, fussing with complicated or uncomfortable pieces is a no-go. From the resurgence of ’90s-era flip-flops to embellished and strappy styles, this year’s sandal trends perfectly reflect that desire for effortlessness. They’re ready to be slipped on on the daily. But they also feel like an innovative step up from what was dominating our closets in years past.
Whether you’re looking for a pair of sandals to accompany you on your summer beach days or a pair that can be your go-to for patio date nights, these are the sandals trends you can expect to see everywhere in 2026.
Embellishments
Summer 2026’s sandals are proving the wheel doesn’t need to be completely reinvented in order for a piece to feel exciting and fresh. Embellishments like stones and studs are working overtime to breathe new life into strappy sandals, slides, and flip-flops. Their styling options remain endless—after all, sandals are meant to be uncomplicated. But the subtle touches are enough to give a signal that your go-to sandals got a modern update.
Flip-Flops and Thongs
In what feels like an ode to the ’90s and early aughts, thong sandals are back with a vengeance. While classic, Y-shaped designs have risen back to popularity, the $5 Old Navy pairs you used to live in have nothing on the luxe variations the silhouette is available in for summer 2026.
This summer, flip-flops’ minimalist design is worthy of being worn with more than just your most casual outfits. Supple leathers, eye-catching embellishments, and the addition of heels are giving thong sandals a fresh new look that makes them ready for anything.
Wrap Styles
A sleek, strappy sandal manages to give an outfit polish while lending the foot a bit of extra support. Wrapped ankle straps and subtle-but-effective details enhance the minimalist silhouette for an utterly chic go-to summer sandal. This year’s options offer supple suede, studs, paracord and more.
Wedges
If you thought you’d seen the last of wedges in your sandal rotation, think again. The ’70s style is riding on the coattails of the boho resurgence to make a modern comeback. Nostalgic wooden or espadrille heels serve as the perfect companion for boho’s signature billowing blouses and dreamy, lace dresses. If boho isn’t quite your speed, a sculptural wedge in a soft leather is a versatile option for upcoming al fresco dinners, weddings, and summer parties.
Jellies
In case you haven’t heard, jelly shoes are back in a major way. And while the trend might be polarizing, I encourage you to try one of 2026’s iterations before ruling them out because of past sweaty feet trauma. We’ve seen jelly flats and fisherman sandals regain their popularity in the last year or so. But for summer 2026, jelly flip-flops, heels, or slides will surely earn a spot in your go-to shoe rotation.
Micro Heels
Huge news for the girlies who hate wearing heels (me): the tiniest heels you’ve ever seen in your life are in style this summer. I like to think of these as the baby sister of a kitten heel. You’ll be reaching for them for every date night, GNO, or patio dinner on your cal all season long. Pick up a pair in eye-catching animal print, a unique texture, or classic soft leather.
Jessica Welsh, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
Jessica oversees and edits all fashion and beauty content on The Everygirl. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, and more. She was previously the Commerce Editor for The Everymom, where she oversaw all shopping content on the site and social. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, DSW, and Kohl’s.
Madeline Galassi, Former Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
Madeline Galassi is the former Fashion & Beauty Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversaw the fashion and beauty categories of the site. She brainstormed, wrote, and edited stories across a broad range of topics including trend reports, product reviews, celebrity style, and more. She’s always keeping a pulse on the latest trends to create timely, exciting content for our readers.
Products included in graphic linked within the article. Feature graphic images credited to: Free People.
