9 Summer Dresses And The Flat Shoes To Pair Them With, From Boat Shoes To Jelly Sandals
Our favourite shoes for stomping around in this summer
Social media has hosted many heated debates, from politics to pineapple on pizza. You name it, it’s been argued over. But lately, one question has been dominating our FYPs: 'what shoes is everyone wearing for summer 2025?'
While not a hard-hitting query, it's one still of crucial importance, especially when it starts getting warmer and the carry-on gets dusted off for its next EasyJet adventure.
When space is limited, we rely on summer dresses and shoes that can do it all – pairing with a string or straw bag to make the holy trinity of summer. We need flats that don’t blister at 15K step, that can handle impromptu drinks in the cobbled square of Ibiza old town, and, can happily slip on and off during a languid day by the pool.
We’ve done our research (both scrolling, and stomping) and found nine styles the fashion insiders are co-signing this year.
Square-Toed Flip-Flops...And A Formal Mini Dress
Thanks to The Row, flip-flops have re-entered the chat, and not just for gym changing rooms and the beach. These slip-ons are now city approved, as vouched for by Gigi Hadid.
Innately waterproof – as Hadid showed when she attended the launch of her Havaianas range on a rainy New York day – and with a modern square toe, they are an unexpected, insouciant counterpoint to a structured summer mini dress.
The model and mum made the banana yellow shade of her pair pop with a contrasting minty green pedicure and stack of anklets.
Boat Shoes... And A Denim Dress
Preppy is back, and nothing is Sloanier than a pair of boat shoes. First spotted on Miu Miu’s runway, the look is more collegiate than seafaring. Polo Ralph Lauren, Sezanne and Zara have pairs available in tobacco hues that add a sun-drenched softness to denim dresses. We wear ours like we would a loafer: with a pair of ribbed socks. Yacht club membership optional.
Timeless Slingbacks...And A Linen Midi Dress
This shoe is a bona fide classic, the epitome of demure. Whether heeled or flat, slingbacks always feature a delicate little back strap. Think of them as a counteroffer to the Mary Jane. They charm as an option when loafers feel too heavy and sandals feel too naked, for instance when wearing an unfussy linen midi dress, like those that Emilia Wickstead designs so beautifully.
High Profile Ballet Pumps...And A White Cotton Dress
The fashion cycle is known for its plot twists, as proven by the valiant return of the ballet flat. It goes to show, no matter how divisive or passé an item might be, with the right endorsements and styling, it can pirouette back into relevance. With the help of The Row and Bottega Veneta and a higher profile on the bridge of the foot, this style looks more modern than its mid-2000s counterpart. Wear yours with a wafty white cotton dress, like those from Dôen and Damson Madder.
Mesh Flats...And A Slip Dress
Some would say mesh flats, as found at Alaïa, Proenza Schouler and Arket, are impractical. And they might be right. However, the combination of translucency and coverage feels elevated, yet effortless. They hug the foot, providing support, but are breezy, like a sandal. This design is a sensation when luggage space is limited because it works equally well with slip dresses as with denim shorts.
A-Symmetric Sandals...And A Black Sundress
Now this is a sandal you can wear to get your steps in. This asymmetric design wraps around the big toe for stability while providing more visual intrigue than your classic flip-flop. The likes of Toteme, Dries Van Noten and ME+EM have all mastered this silhouette. Here, fashion editor Ana Escalante has opted for a minimalist design in plain black with a chunky footbed, but other brands, like Dune and Amanu, have created iterations with elegant metal bars and cuffs, which act like jewellery for the foot.
Paired with a black sundress, you can't go wrong.
Slip-On Sneakers...And A Sheer Dress
After everyone and their mum bought Adidas’ Sambas (guilty as charged), sneaker trends have become more niche and complex. Along with the rise of New Balance’s 1906 loafer, PUMA’s Speedcat sneakerinas, Miista’s Nikoletta football-style low-top and Miu Miu x New Balance’s 930 slip-on mules, there are Salomon's slip-ons. Breathable because of a mesh-upper and like walking on a cloud because of the EVA midsole, these trainers might have been designed for putting on post-workout, but we’re pulling them on with sheer dresses for a gorpcore twist.
Jelly Shoes...And A Broderie Anglaise Dress
Between the smell of rubber and the revealing flash of toes, there’s something quite subversive about jelly shoes for adults - and we haven’t even touched on the fact that they were once a staple of our childhood.
Yet, these youthful shoes have evolved. Last summer caged styles became popular with cult pairs coming from Chloé, The Row and Ancient Greek Sandals. This year, jellies are now in fisherman, flip-flop and mule silhouettes. Wear them in ice cream shades of raspberry, blueberry, lilac or vanilla as you would a pair of Tevas and pair with a classic Broderie Anglaise dress for a contrast in texture.
Earthy Birkenstocks...And A Floaty Maxi Dress
On the surface, the Boston clog and the strappy Arizona Birkenstock are natural summer flats. Yet, in our hands, or on our feet with a pair of socks, they are a year-round staple. As well as being comfortable and supportive, they can act as a chunky counter to a floaty cotton maxi dress. In earthy tones of taupe or khaki, these shoes transcend trends and – as Margot Robbie in Barbie proved – they are perfect for everyday life in the real world.
6 Linen Trouser And Sandal Pairings
9 Pairs of Jorts And The Summer Shoes To Pair Them With, From Jelly Shoes to Sneakerinas
Summer Dress And Accessory Combinations
Wear Autumn Boots With Your Summer Mini Dress
