25 Best Summer Sandals 2023

These '90s Mules

Dear Frances Chaise Mule

These '90s Mules

Dear Frances Chaise Mule

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Personally, my summertime sandal rotation goes heavy on the understated silhouettes and low heels. This patent leather pair is just bright enough to feel like a real switch-up from my classic black pairs, yet versatile enough to wear with suits and weekend dresses. (And if quieter shades are your vibe, the same pair is also stocked in three classic neutrals.)

Sizes: 35–42

Colors: Lilac, espresso, cream, black

Materials: Patent leather

These Hardworking Work Sandals

Prada Brushed Leather High-Heel Slides

These Hardworking Work Sandals

Prada Brushed Leather High-Heel Slides

"I am definitely going to dress my clients going into the office in these Prada slides," Rosenberg says. For a casual Friday, she recommends them with a loose, tucked-in tank top, a wide-leg jean, and a blazer with the sleeves pushed up. For more formal meetings, she suggests a mid-length silk skirt in a light shade and an oversized white button-down with the sleeves cuffed.

Sizes: IT34–42.5

Color: Black

Material: Leather

These Fiery Sandals

Emme Parsons Festa Sandal

These Fiery Sandals

Emme Parsons Festa Sandal

Now 60% Off

I have a theory that a sandal's sexy quotient is a function of how many straps it has: the more pieces of slinky leather wrapping around the foot and ankle, the saucier it looks. This Emme Parsons sandal is confirmed hot.

Sizes: 35–42

Colors: Red nappa, black, tan

Materials: Leather

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These Two-Tone Sandals

Chanel Sandals Lambskin & Grosgrain

These Two-Tone Sandals

Chanel Sandals Lambskin & Grosgrain

These Chanel sandals are my ultimate ideal for a summer dinner, complete with a linen midi dress and a straw basket bag. The detail that makes these my favorite pair? The delicate double-C logo rendered in embellished pearls on top of the center strap.

Colors: Black/white, Black

Materials: Leather

These Embellished Strappy Sandals

Brother Vellies Globe Ankle Tie Sandal

These Embellished Strappy Sandals

Brother Vellies Globe Ankle Tie Sandal

Now 72% Off

The globe embellishment on these wraparound sandals will be a knockout with a sensual slip dress and coordinating gold jewelry.

Sizes: 5–12

Color: Lavender

Materials: Leather

These Minimalist Slides

Madewell The Boardwalk Post Slide Sandal

These Minimalist Slides

Madewell The Boardwalk Post Slide Sandal

Rosenberg calls this pair "the chicest flip-flop you've never had." "I have been living in [these] for the last two warm seasons now. They have a sleek minimalist design that can live at brunch and the beach, the leather gives to mold to your foots shape with wear, and my favorite design detail, a hidden thong-like piece to keep the foot in place," she says.

Sizes: 5–11

Colors: Black, saddle, and camel

Materials: Leather

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These Padded Heels

Tamara Mellon Absolute 40 Sandals

These Padded Heels

Tamara Mellon Absolute 40 Sandals

After rigorous testing, I can confirm that Tamara Mellon's Pillow Top shoes are even more comfortable than they sound. For summer, channel a hazy sunset in gold, low-heel sandals with double straps and padding that molds to your foot with each wear.

Sizes: 5–12

Color: Gold

Materials: Leather, memory foam

These Pumped-Up Sandals

Marni Blue Fussbett Sandals

These Pumped-Up Sandals

Marni Blue Fussbett Sandals

Here's a walking sandal that doesn't look like a walking sandal. Marni's buckled pair combines an unconventional shade with puffy straps and a platform footbed for a pair that stands out—and that you can wear for hours on end.

Sizes: IT34–IT41

Color: Powder blue

Materials: Leather, rubber

These Medallion Slingback Sandals

Tory Burch Marquetry Disc Sandal

These Medallion Slingback Sandals

Tory Burch Marquetry Disc Sandal

There's a breezy handcraft feel to these Tory Burch sandals that makes me want to pull on a tiered maxi skirt, log off from work, and go spin outside in a park. For now, I'll just hit "Order" and plan a summer's worth of bohemian outfits around these sandals in my head.

Sizes: 5–11

Color: Sesame

Materials: Leather, suede

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These Sophisticated Jelly Sandals

Hermès Egerie Sandal

These Sophisticated Jelly Sandals

Hermès Egerie Sandal

Who knew the height of luxury could exist in the form of a slip-on, waterproof sandal? This electric blue Hermès pair has mesmerizing looped straps and sturdy, beach-proof soles. Safe to say, I've found the exact sandals I'm wearing with all my vacation swimwear.

Sizes: 35–41

Colors: Blue, mint green, black

Materials: Waterproof TPU

These Starry Mules

Chloé Oli High-Heel Mule

These Starry Mules

Chloé Oli High-Heel Mule

Rosenberg says she's most looking forward to strutting in these Chloé mules throughout the summer. "My style ethos is simple, understated, and effortless in neutral hues, so come spring and summer, it's 50 shades of beige," she says. But this pair is hardly a boring neutral: "I love the starburst detail which gives a little more dimension to the colorway, with a touch of rock-and-roll glam. Their practicality and modern design will surely take me from showroom appointments in the city to dinner at Sunset Beach in comfort and style." Agreed.

Sizes: 5–11

Color: Cream

Materials: Leather

These Cult-Favorite Sandals

The Row Gaia 1 Woven Textured-Leather Sandals

These Cult-Favorite Sandals

The Row Gaia 1 Woven Textured-Leather Sandals

The best fisherman sandals toe that hard-to-achieve line between fashion and function. This pair by The Row is the absolute best pair I've spotted in the closets of stylish women. Its best features? The slightly elevated sole and thick leather straps that will develop a cool patina after a summer's worth of outfits.

Sizes: IT36–IT42

Colors: White, black

Materials: Leather

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These Luxe Slides

Saint Laurent Nu Pieds Slide Sandals

These Luxe Slides

Saint Laurent Nu Pieds Slide Sandals

There are a lot of leather slides to choose from, but my eyes are on Saint Laurent's elegant pair. This deep green has the versatility of a classic neutral shade with a little something extra—and then there's the slight heel for endless walkability.

Shopper review: "These are my favorite summer sandals. I love the color, the comfort and everything about it. Runs a little small, get a half size bigger."

Sizes: 5–11.5

Colors: Green, brown, nero, red, and more

Materials: Leather

These Croc Curved Sandals

Nomasei Red Embossed Sandals

These Croc Curved Sandals

Nomasei Red Embossed Sandals

Now 28% Off

It's love at first sight with this "intense red" sandal (yes, that's really the color name). Affection only gets stronger once you're wearing these shoes day after day: They have a sneaky memory foam layer in the soles to cushion your foot.

Sizes: 36–42

Colors: Intense red

Materials: Leather

These Poolside Birkenstocks

Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA

These Poolside Birkenstocks

Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA

In case you needed more proof that everything old is new again, look no further than the comeback of the original two-strap sandal. This pair is break-in-proof, waterproof, and blister-proof—the quintessential comfortable walking sandal for summer.

Sizes: 4–12.5

Colors: Anthracite, black, white, green, and more

Materials: Molded EVA

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These Bubbly Platforms

Simon Miller Platform Bubble Wedge

These Bubbly Platforms

Simon Miller Platform Bubble Wedge

Now 14% Off

Simon Miller Designer Chelsea Hansford ushered in the return of the ankle-breaking platform in 2021—and the sky is still the limit with this summer's crop of bubbly wedge sandals.

Sizes: 5–11

Colors: Macadamia, black, neon green, blue, and more

Material: Leather

These Sharp Wedge Sandals

Bottega Veneta Stretch Strap Sandal

These Sharp Wedge Sandals

Bottega Veneta Stretch Strap Sandal

"For dressy sandals, I am looking again for something that is going to elongate my stance, in a neutral color that can live with all my summer wardrobe, along with a bit more heel height (block or wedge)—there is nothing worse than seeing a stiletto heel trying to survive a dock or sandy terrain," Rosenberg says. She recommends this Bottega sandal for a pair that checks all the aforementioned boxes. "The straps are thin enough that they will not show wear or age, [while the bottoms] have a sneaker-like rubber grip sole to make sure you can dance the night away."

Sizes: 35–42

Colors: Cane sugar, black

Materials: 100% lambskin

These Ruffled Mules

GANNI Green Smock Mules

These Ruffled Mules

GANNI Green Smock Mules

I'm drawn to Ganni's smocked sandals for two reasons. First, the shocking green shade that exudes summer energy. Second, the ruched uppers that'll have the same flexible, stretchy comfort of my favorite smocked summer dresses.

Sizes: IT35–It40

Color: Green

Materials: Textile, rubber

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These Knotted Sandals

Everlane The Day Twist Sandal

These Knotted Sandals

Everlane The Day Twist Sandal

Everlane's slides are my favorites for easygoing sandals that last all summer and into the next. They're sturdy, walkable, and feel like a designer pair, minus the four-digit price. This summer, they're updated with a leather tie detail.

Sizes: 5–11

Colors: Tan, khaki, black

Materials: 100% leather

A Sandal-Clog Hybrid

Reformation Jolene Clog Sandal

A Sandal-Clog Hybrid

Reformation Jolene Clog Sandal

Here's a dose of '70s style that doesn't feel like an overwhelming throwback. Plus, the low pitch and sturdy wooden soles are comfortable to walk in—and sustainably sourced from deadstock materials.

Sizes: 5–11

Colors: Zebra, white, natural

Materials: Leather, wood

Halie LeSavage is the fashion commerce editor at Harper's BAZAAR. Her style reporting covers everything from reviewing the best designer products to profiling emerging brands and designers. Previously, she was the founding retail writer at Morning Brew and a fashion associate at Glamour.

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