The key summer 2024 shoe trends are finally here—and as a style editor, I’m happy to report you’ll actually want to wear them this season (and well into fall, for that matter). You can expect to see plenty of slim shoes, including runner sneakers, ballet flats, and svelte thong heels, as summer fades into autumn.
Thankfully for our collective ankles, wearability is key in 2024: Kitten heels are trendier than sky-high stilettos, walking shoes are officially cool, and the fashion establishment has firmly embraced breathable mesh. There’s still plenty of room to get adventurous with your styling; everyone’s giving preppy boat shoes another go, and all the cool girls are stepping out in trendy footwear that doubles as jewelry.
Ready to make the most of a new season? These are the summer 2024 shoe trends Glamour editors are obsessed with—plus how to style them in the real world.
1. Slim sneakers
Retro runner sneakers—especially Adidas Sambas—officially replaced chunky sneakers last summer, and the slim, sporty silhouette is still holding strong in 2024. I spotted endless pairs of Adidas, Asics, and Nikes during the last New York Fashion Week, so expect to see those brands continue to take over as the year progresses. (Emily Ratajkowski, meanwhile, is all-in on Puma.) And don’t be afraid to go bright with your kicks; off-the-wall hues like yellow, wine, and red will make even low-effort outfits (like a white T-shirt and straight-leg jeans) pop.
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2. Thong heels
Sexy, laidback, and perfect for the dog days of summer, thong heels are a cut above your go-to flip-flops. The added block or kitten heel feels more considered than whatever beat-up sandals you’re currently wearing around town. (Case in point: My coworkers at Glamour and Vogue are wearing the open-toe sandals to the office en masse.) When paired with something other than a swimsuit, like relaxed pants, long shorts, or a denim skirt, they’ll look like the coolest shoes in the world—not an afterthought. (Invest in a pair with wide straps or slingback buckles for extra support.)
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3. Mesh footwear
I’m ready to call it: Mesh is the material of summer 2024. I’ve noticed it on everyone from influential fashion editors in the office to friends at backyard hangouts. While the weather is still warm enough to warrant such airy shoes, show just a touch more skin with these mesh ballerinas and kitten heels; labels like Alaïa, Khaite, The Row, and Bottega Veneta approve.
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4. Mary Jane flats
The fashion crowd is currently obsessed with Mary Janes, the schoolgirl staples that somehow go with everything. (They even made my list of the definitive summer fashion trends.) Try them with a cardigan and capri pants when you’re headed to a nice brunch; tee up a pleated skirt, a blazer, and long socks to put a delicious spin on a school uniform; go with a tank top and wide-leg jeans when you want to look cute without overthinking your outfit. While Mary Jane ballet flats are still incredibly popular, I’ve also noticed a recent jump in chunkier styles from the likes of Doc Martens and Vans.
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5. Tall, structured boots
Tall boots are having a banner year; call it the Cowboy Carter effect. While there’s been a wave of interest in cowboy boots, I expect simpler, Western-tinged styles to take the top spot when autumn rolls around. Just ask Zendaya: The A-lister was just spotted wearing Frye’s iconic Campus boots, which exemplify the tall, structured silhouette I’m excited to try. And don’t be shy about buckles, straps, and moto details; a little hardware goes a long way, especially paired with feminine pieces like bubble dresses and miniskirts.
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6. Boat shoes
Yes, the ultra-preppy footwear you owned (or coveted) in high school is back in a big way. Like many things these days, it all comes back to Miu Miu; the brand showed boat shoes on its spring-summer 2024 runway, and the rest of the fashion world is just beginning to catch up. I’ve noticed a huge uptick in boat shoes and camp moccasins in New York and on TikTok, and I spotted multiple pairs of Timberland’s lug-sole shoes during a recent trip to Paris. All signs point to a grand comeback tour, so get ahead of the curve with classic iterations from Sperry and Sebago or Miu Miu lookalikes from Jeffrey Campbell. (Your loafers can afford a break.)
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7. Fisherman sandals
Fisherman sandals never really go away, but they’re particularly popular right now. The woven designs come in many forms—woven leather, open-back, platform, even jelly—and they’re all fair game for summer 2024. To go as classic as possible, I suggest starting with a slim pair in black leather; if this isn’t your first rodeo, Pilcro’s tomato-red option or Sorel’s cheery yellow platform sandals will earn you all the compliments.
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8. Shoes as jewelry
Ring sandals and bracelet flats blur the lines between footwear and jewelry, making simple footwear feel truly special. (Plus, you don’t need to worry about choosing separate toe rings or anklets—it’s all one piece.) These pieces have slowly taken over my Instagram feed, and Glamour readers have been obsessed with them all season. Get in on the look with these sandals and slip-ons; those Tory Burch mules, in particular, are favorites of mine and my fellow style editors. Relaxed elegance doesn’t get much easier.
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9. Cool-girl hiking shoes
Give your usual flat white sneakers a rest and go with something a little more technical this season. While the rest of the footwear world might be headed in a lower-profile direction, running and hiking shoes are still just as chunky (and comfy) as ever. (Hiking-friendly walking sandals are also very much in the mix, courtesy of Miu Miu.) We love them paired with unexpected pieces like flowy white skirts, romantic dresses, and sharp tailoring. Especially on-trend pairs include the Keen sneakers I’m seeing all over New York, the second collaboration between Salomon and Sandy Liang, and the Gamicci sandals that snake across the foot. Take a page out of the Scandi-girl-style book and embrace wrong-shoe theory when styling your picks.
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