Summer is finally here, meaning it’s high time to pull out the best mules in your collection. The backless shoes are trending right now, riding high on the popularity of the Birkenstock Boston and recent runway appearances at Prada, Loewe, Versace, and Alaïa. And now that it’s proper weather for breezy footwear—including walking sandals, jelly shoes, and comfy slides—you should have a pair on hand for the busy season ahead.
Styling mules is easy; you can throw them on wherever you’d otherwise wear ballet flats or kitten heels, say with a summer wedding guest dress or a T-shirt and a denim skirt. They also play nicely with summer’s trendiest pieces: Try low-heeled mules with an asymmetrical top and capris or clogs with an oversized button-down and linen pants. Plus, backless loafers and flats are perfect for the office and won’t leave your feet sweating during your commute. Ready to get your summer slip-ons locked down? Give your flip-flops a break and shop our edit of the best mules to buy right now.
Glamour’s summer mules wish list
- The Most Popular Pair: Birkenstock Boston Soft Footbed Clogs, $160
- The Waterproof Version: Birkenstock Boston EVA Clogs, $60
- The Comfy Clogs: Madewell x Dansko Brinn Mules, $155
- The Amazon Mules: Rilista Bow Mules, $46
- The Kitten Heels: Reformation Heather Block-Heeled Mules, $278
- The Gingham Stunners: Bibi Lou Gingham Kitten-Heel Mules, $160
- The Iconic Work Shoes: Gucci Princetown Leather Slippers, $950
- The Affordable Dupes: Old Navy Faux-Leather Loafer Mules, $28
- The Fisherman Mules: Sam Edelman Dina Fisherman Mules, $90
- The Mesh Flats: Steve Madden Birdee Mules, $90
- The Popular Designer Pair: Tory Burch Pierced Mules, $398
Most comfortable mules
Mules, famously, are not billed as walking shoes—but if you’ll be on your feet all day and you’re determined to go backless, you still have some great options. Birkenstock offers the Boston, which is probably the most popular pair of mules on the market: “I’m always impressed by the level of arch support Birkenstock offers, and these are some of my go-to neighborhood shoes,” says Glamour commerce editor Jake Henry Smith, who also notes that you can get them in waterproof EVA form. Elsewhere, Vionic, Crocs, and Dansko are known for their generous support and foot-hugging insoles. (The last brand is a favorite among nurses, by the way.)
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Best heeled mules
Considering they don’t offer ankle support, you won’t find mules in anything higher than a modest heel—but kitten heels are on trend for summer, so you can leave the stilettos behind. We’d love to see these picks at a wedding paired with a flowy summer dress; we’re especially smitten with Maeve’s ever-so-lifted mules, Bibi Lou’s gingham pointed-toe shoes, Dolce Vita’s raffia beauties, and Reformation’s slanted suede gems. For more support, go with a block heel; Madewell and Maguire offer high-quality that’ll hold up to a long day at the office or a celebration that stretches well into the night.
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Best mules for work
When you need something summery but still elevated enough to wear with a full suit or a dressy blouse, turn to these slick mules. Gucci’s iconic Italian leather mules are always a standout if you have the money to spare; you can also find similar silhouettes and hardware at Old Navy and Tory Burch for a fraction of the price tag (and in half-sizes). Elsewhere, office staples like ballet flats and penny loafers have had their backs chopped off to great results.
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Best fisherman mules
Fisherman sandals are enjoying a major moment this summer, and we love the backless versions for occasions that don’t require the security of a heel strap. We love the more classic options by Sam Edelman (which is somehow on super-sale), Hereu (the brand behind one of our favorite designer bags), and Old Navy (which is shockingly budget-friendly). If you’d like something novel, though, Free People offers a perforated pair that stands out from the crowd, while Jeffrey Campbell’s woven leather option is office- and vacation-appropriate.
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Best mesh mules
A spinoff of the mesh ballet flats trend, the mesh mule might eclipse its big sister this summer, considering it’s even more breathable. You’ll find plenty of the same materials and embellishments here, from plain mesh to raffia, beads to rhinestones. These pairs are begging to be worn on vacation, especially with a beach cover-up, a maxiskirt, or a white dress—anything that signals to the world that you left your work laptop at home and you’re proud of it.
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Best embellished mules
Fashion people are obsessed with grommets, buckles, crystals, and bows right now, so of course they’re spilling over into mules. We’re not complaining; those pierced Tory Burch mules have been living in our heads rent-free since they walked the runway a few seasons ago, and we’re still obsessed with the vintage grommet kitten heels Bella Hadid wore to Cannes in May. (The Jeffrey Campbell heels below are essentially the same shoe, FYI.) Pull these options out when you’re dressing to the nines or you just need a little extra oomph—they’ll look great with cocktail dresses and straight-leg jeans alike.
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