Celebrating style and function, stay comfy and confident for work and leisure with our top summer shoe trends. Make a statement with texture, colour, shapes and silhouettes, or lean on timeless classics. This year, we embrace them all.
Retro styles are making a comeback, sitting pretty next to the casual, chunky vibes we already know and love. So, whether you’re reaching for your trusty trainers or summer-ready sliders, read on to explore our favourite summer shoes trends to try in 2023.
What’s on this page:
- Summer shoe trends
- Ballet pumps
- Wedges & platforms
- Neutral colour trainers
- Sliders
- Loafers
- Patterns & colours
- Diamante shoes
- Clogs
- Heeled Sandals
- Mary Janes & court shoes
Summer shoe trends: The run-down
From preppy vibes to chunky sliders, bright colours to clean, neutral tones, this summer’s shoes pack in a whole spectrum of personality. More often than not, current summer shoe trends are prioritising comfort and embracing more retro styles.
The chunky aesthetic is as popular as ever, with brands such as Crocs at the top of their game.
We’re seeing a clash of colours, with subtle neutrals and bold blocking both sharing the limelight. It’s night and day, where flatform shoes and ballet pumps can co-exist in stylish harmony.
Why not try these styles out for size this summer?
A delicate touch: Ballet pumps
Recycled from the ‘00s like a dainty phoenix, ballet pumps are back on the runway and on the high street. As soon as a trend is old enough to become retro, it’ll often spring up again in cycles.
Ballerina pumps are no different – though we’d argue that they’re timeless. Mature and versatile, ballet pumps are some of the best flat shoes to pair with smart trousers, contrast with wide leg jeans, or slip on with a summery dress.
Here are just a few of our favourites:
Lilley Gigi Women’s Lace Ballerina
Pair these white lace ballerina shoes from Lilley with light wash blue jeans or a patterned maxi dress, perfect for work or an afternoon browsing the shops.
Lilley Gloria Women’s Diamante Ballerina
These black
diamante ballerina shoes
from Lilley are some of our favourite versatile summer staples. Great for evenings out and dressing down smart outfits.
On the wedge of glory: Wedges & platforms
Chunky peanut butter, chunky salsa and chunky shoes. We love them all. Wedges, particularly wedge sandals, tap into the same retro era as ballet pumps that never really go out of style.
Whether it’s sandals, trainers or boots, the chunky shoe family have well and truly captured our attention. This summer, platforms, flatforms and wedges are here to stay.
Our top chunky choices include:
Truffle Rome1 Women’s Double Buckle Sandal
Get extra height without sacrificing on comfort by embracing flatform sandals. These beige double buckle sandals from Truffle look great with linen trousers, shorts or a summer dress.
Topway Women’s Tan Wedge Sandal
These neutral tan-orange wedges are perfect for creating a capsule wardrobe. If you’re a keen heel wearer, these <a
href=”https://www.shoezone.com/Products/Lotus-Evelyn-Womens-Nude-Peep-Toe-Heel-141062″>comfy sandals from Topway are perfect for days in the sun, evenings out, or even a wedding party.
They go with everything: Neutral colour trainers
When you’re on the hunt for the perfect pair of shoes, neutral trainers rarely let you down. Masters of versatility and practicality, they are the outfit saviours of our shoe racks. They complete just about any look, from cut off jeans, cargo trousers, to styling down a dress.
Sneak a peek at our favourite neutral trainers this summer:
SJ Delda Women’s Casual Trainer
Cushioned for comfort, these two-tone beige trainers from SJ are the all-stars of stylish summer shoes. Double down on the throwback vibes and pair them with shorts and white socks above the ankle.
Comfy Steps Rick Men’s Brown Casual Trainer
Neutral trainers like this pair from Comfy Steps are some of our favourite
cool men’s shoes for summer, helping you feel comfortable and light on your feet. We recommend styling them with tailored trousers, light wash jeans or cargo shorts.
Slip on and go: Sliders
Sliders, slides – whatever you prefer to call them, they’ve slid straight into our hearts. In an age of fashion where comfort is key, sliders are the perfect summer staple.
These simple sandals are often neutral in style and gender, so anyone can enjoy the freedom of slipping them on and off. Great for when you’re on holiday or grabbing a bite to eat on a cool summer evening.
Say hello to some of our favourite sliders right now:
Zone Adult’s Black and White Slider
Durable and lightweight, these versatile black and white sliders from Zone are perfect for summer. Slip them on and head to the pool or venture out for a day at the beach.
Truffle Women’s Slider
These beautiful mocha sliders
from Truffle are spongy and supportive, perfect for pairing with flowy trousers, linen shorts or a floral dress.
Take a load off: Loafers
A year-round classic, the popularity of loafers speaks for itself. Full of retro charm, they’re the ideal investment for all seasons – not just summer.
Style them with a pair of tailored trousers or elevate a maxi dress. Comfortable, lightweight and easy to wear with insoles, add a pair of sturdy loafers to your summer wardrobe this year.
Check out some of our top picks:
Lilley Angel Women’s Black Patent Tassel Loafer
We love loafers with a chunky makeover. These black tassel chunky loafers from Lilley look great with white socks, tucked under tailored trousers, jeans, or even matched with stylish cycling shorts.
Cushion Walk Declan Men’s Casual Tan Slip On Shoes
Timeless, smart and long wearing, these comfy tan slip on loafers from Cushion Walk
look the part with smart trousers, neutral shorts or chinos.
Take a walk on the bright side: Patterns & colours
Summer is many things. For some of us, it might be sunshine, watermelon, soft grass and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Like the things we surround ourselves with in summer, this season invites us to brighten up our wardrobes and experiment with bold colours and patterns. We’ve seen lime green, bright orange, red and lilac top the fashion colour charts this year.
Take a peek:
Lilley Women’s Navy Floral Ballerina
Style these summery floral ballerinas from Lilley with jeans and a black top and let them steal the show. Or combine with bold colours and a denim skirt for more of a statement look.
Lilley Meru Women’s Pink Lace Up Canvas
Bright, comfy and endlessly cute. These bright pink trainers have summer written all over them. Style these with a colourful patterned summer dress with hints of pink, or pair with shorts and a blouse.
Add some sparkle to your step: Diamante shoes
A touch of stardom can really uplift an outfit – not to mention your confidence. For dressing up and going out, consider slipping on something sparkly.
Diamantes, embellishments and bejewelled shoes are trending this year. Whether you’re a heels or flats kind of person, there’s nothing like a little glitter to brighten things up.
See for yourself:
Truffle Halla1 Women’s Champagne Shimmer Heel
These champagne shimmer heels from Truffle sit in the sweet spot between warm and cool toned neutral. They pair perfectly with high-waisted light wash jeans, patterned trousers or a cocktail dress.
Lilley Vivien Women’s Black T-Bar Court Shoe
Wide leg trousers and linens are the perfect match for these black diamante heels. There’s no need to stick with
the casual look – of course they’ll look great with a dress in the evening too. Perfect for work or elevating a smart outfit this summer.
Jump on the trend: Clogs
Comfort, convenience and the chunky aesthetic makes for the perfect combo with clogs. They have become some of the trendiest shoes recently, which is why they’re on our list of summer staples.
This sneaky summer footwear trend has everyone clutching for a collection of multicoloured Crocs, and we get the hype.
Check out a couple of our favourites below:
Heart Saskia Women’s Multi Tie Dye Platform Clog
Can’t decide on just one colour? Go mad for the tie dye effect with these multicolour clogs from Heart. Super cute and casual, we love this summer shoe trend.
Crocs Baya Unisex Cobblestone Clog
If it’s not bright colours, it’s neutrals. These cobblestone unisex clogs
from Crocs are versatile, supportive and breathable. They’ve got our vote for some of the most stylish summer shoes this year.
Cool for the summer: Heeled sandals
Great for brunch with friends or an evening meal, we’re loving these stylish summer heeled sandals.
Opt for neutral tones, an eye-catching pattern or a bold statement colour. Pair them with chic, wide leg linen trousers or style them with a cute cocktail dress. These heeled sandals are key for going glam this summer.
Here are a few of our favourites:
Lilley Women’s Black Wedge Strappy Sandal
Summer is officially here. These black strappy sandals from Lilley go with most outfits and colour palettes. Pair with true blue wide leg jeans, a dress or patterned trousers.
Lilley Womens Nude Diamante Wedge Sandal
nude wedge sandals
from Lilley with either skinny or wide leg jeans, or a flowing summer patterned maxi dress. The chunky heel will offer extra support for dancing the night away.
Embrace the throwback: Mary Janes & court shoes
The twee aesthetic is making a comeback – with a modern facelift. Court shoes and Mary Janes are known for their preppy, vintage appeal. They were all the rage in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and more recently the early ‘2010s.
A timeless pair of Mary Janes are great for stylish more alternative looks, too. Heart is one of our favourite brands for chunky MJs, so keep your eyes peeled.
We love:
Lilley Violet Women’s Black Patent Court Shoe
These classic black patent court shoes from Lilley boast a fashionably familiar silhouette that we should all have in our wardrobes. Pair them with a babydoll-style dress for a vintage look, or opt for sleek tailored trousers and a blazer.
Lilley Viola Women’s Patent Heel
The best thing about court shoes is their versatility. These nude patent heels from Lilley look great with a coordinated suit, wide leg jeans, or for dressing up a midi dress.
Get inspired by our highlights for the top summer shoe trends. Whatever your style, this year’s summer theme is feeling comfortable and being bold. Even in your comfiest trainers and casual clogs, you can feel trendy blending in with natural tones or standing out with block colours.
Find out more shoe style tips and advice on the shoezone blog. Read everything from how to keep your white trainers clean this summer to tips on picking the perfect wedding shoes.
