Fashion Editors Just Ranked the Hottest Shoes of Summer

Footwear News editors just released their ranking of the hottest shoe trends to hit sidewalks and red carpets this summer.

Thongs and Mules Take the Top Spots

Eliza McEwen (L) wearing Charles & Keith black tote bag, black heeled thong sandals and Jacquie Alexander (R) wearing Charles & Keith black tote bag, black heeled thong sandals, black halter neck shirt suede brown skirt outside the Hansen & Gretel show at Australian Fashion Week 2026 at Museum of Contemporary Art on May 12, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Hanna Lassen/Getty Images for Charles + Keith)

Thong-heeled sandals landed at number one. It's not hard to see why. The style split the difference between a strappy flip-flop and a proper heel, and celebrities from music festivals to airport terminals kept reaching for them all season.

Minimalist mule sandals took the second spot. Clean lines, no fuss, easy to slip on for a farmers market run or a dinner out along the river.

Clear Shoes Had Their Moment, Too

Clear shoes ranked third, and they were everywhere — PVC heels, translucent mules, see-through wedges on stars like Jennifer Lopez and Katy Perry. It's a trend that sounds strange until you see it in person: a shoe that seems to disappear beneath the outfit, letting the rest of the look take center stage. Saint Laurent even brought clear footwear into menswear this season, a sign the trend has legs beyond just one summer.

Comfort Still Won Out

Rounding out the top five: the low-profile sneaker at fourth, ballet-inspired and streamlined, worn everywhere from World Cup watch parties to European vacations.

Ivy Rivera attends Angie Martinez's Summer BBQ presented by iHeartRadio's Power 105.1 at Paradise Coney Island on August 02, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Power 105.1/iHeartRadio)

White shoes claimed fifth, proving some classics never actually go out of style — they just cycle back into the spotlight every few summers.

For those of us in the Wenatchee Valley, where summer means orchard visits, river days, and long walks downtown, a few of these trends translate easily. White sneakers and minimalist mules, especially, work as well on cobblestone as they do on a runway. The thong sandals and clear heels might be a tougher sell for a hike up Saddle Rock, but they'll do just fine at a summer wine tasting.