50+ Chic Comfort Shoes for Summer 2025
In 2025, it is easier than ever to find chic comfort shoes for summer. Arch support, cushioning, room for wide feet and bunions, and much more with plenty of style and versatility. I've gathered up my personal favorites I've found so far this season and share them below along with how they are on trend this summer with styling tips, too!
Summer 2025 Shoe Trends
Some of the hottest trends in footwear I'm seeing for Summer 2025 work quite well for those of us who desire more from our shoes. While some are not terribly comfortable or long-lasting of trends, I am seeing a lot of flats, dressy heels far lower (hello kitten heels and micro wedges), and sandals with molded footbeds and arch support that look comfy and chic. This season, there are many vintage-inspired styles, classic looks, but also some really modern, funky options that can add style and interest to your summer wardrobe basics without looking passé in a year's time.
Below, I break down some of the hottest summer 2025 shoe trends that are great for us grown-ass women and share my picks in a range of pricepoints, many available in widths or with features to provide comfort and support for our hard-working feet.
Over 50 Chic Comfort Shoes for Summer 2025
And without further ado, over 50 chic comfortable shoes I found for summer 2025 that are excellent for us grown women and what trends they fit into this season:
Birken-Style
Birkenstocks and similar shoes with thick flat soles and wide straps are a popular shoe trend for Summer 2025. While most are leather, you will also see many in raffia as well as animal prints in suede and calfhair. Studs abound, as do buckles so big and shiny they are like jewelry.
Shop the collage: one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve | thirteen | fourteen
Athletic Inspiration
In the design of a pair of shoes from REI, these sandals are made with elevated materials like soft leather, and instead of plastic buckles and rings, you'll find shiny gold and designer logos. Yes, these shoes can be worn with business casual, sundresses, and look as elevated as the materials used to craft them.
Shop the collage: one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve
Braided and Woven
Braided and woven leather is a classic, but you will see more this summer than in many, many years. Crochet and macrame are also a trend, but I find that the braided and woven leather shoes are more classic, more durable, easier to clean, and in general a better buy in the long-run.
Shop the collage: one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve | thirteen | fourteen | fifteen | sixteen | seventeen | eighteen | nineteen
Personally, I find these shoes are often uncomfortable as my feet swell and slide, and I end up with a woven shoe indent on the tips of my toes. However, I am seeing several styles this year with a fine mesh lining. I am also loving the braided leather straps on sandals and trim on closed-toe shoes, especially in gold. Braided and woven gold shoes are a great alternative to “nudist” thin strappy heels that have been the cocktail fashion go-to for the past decade.
Elevated Flip Flops
The chicest women across the globe are rocking flip flops. However, these aren't the cheap foamy ones from Old Navy or the drugstore. With molded soles, straps of leather and calfhair, metal details, and gorgeous colors, these thong sandals are elevated enough to be worn with your favorite sundresses and linen pantsuits and won't be seen as a faux pas.
Shop the collage: one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve | thirteen | fourteen | fifteen | sixteen | seventeen | eighteen | nineteen
I made two collages because there are two categories of elevated flip flops this summer: the dressy and elegant, and the elevated everyday. The collage below features styles great for throwing on to run errands but also to wear to the pool or beach, and still look cute for a casual social situation. In fact, my very fashionable friend (and a personal stylist), Sylvia, was wearing these flip flops with a Doen sundress the last time we had lunch!
Shop the collage: one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve | thirteen | fourteen | fifteen | sixteen
Summer Sneakers
Sneakers are a smart choice for travel and many summer activities, but the leather and heavy soles can be so hot. Luckily, this summer is all about breezy sneakers. You will see plenty of sneakers that are perforated, mesh, open weave, and from lighter-weight fabrics, breathable knits, and lighter-weight soles. This summer for sneakers, low profile reigns supreme, though classic cuts are also still stylish (and far better for arch support or accommodating orthotics).
Shop the collage: one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve | thirteen | fourteen | fifteen | sixteen | seventeen | eighteen | nineteen | twenty
When it comes to socks with these open-weave sneakers, you can have them visible (quarter crew socks in white are a popular choice), or you can have them invisible. I like my no-show sock hack to keep insoles dry and comfortable and my favorite no-show socks are these from Bombas and these from Ondo.
Sneaker Hybrids
A trend that began last year on the runways but hit the mall stores this summer, sneaker hybrids are popular, versatile, and a nice option for summer. Merging sneakers with ballet shoes or Mary Janes, these sneaker hybrids are more open on top, made from lighter-weight fabrics, and/or are far more low-profile and lightweight. From styles at home on the trail to looks perfect with cocktail-ready frocks, these hybrid sneakers are also a great travel option due to their ability to be practical and fashionable.
Shop the collage: one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve | thirteen | fourteen | fifteen | sixteen
Espadrilles Inspiration
Espadrilles are a classic, and can be pretty comfortable too. From the classic flat full-coverage style to strappy wedges, there is a wide variety of espadrilles, which can transition seamlessly from casual to cocktail, from versatile to statement-making. This summer, you will find unique styles of espadrilles in cool textiles along with traditional silhouettes and fabrics that have been perennially cool.
Shop the collage: one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve | thirteen | fourteen | fifteen | sixteen | seventeen | eighteen
I have had at least one pair of espadrilles in my closet for over 20 years; while they're considered “trendy” for Summer 2025, they are a good buy that won't go out of fashion any time soon.
I hope these collages of what I consider chic, comfortable shoes help you complete your summer wardrobes. And if you have scored any fab comfy shoes lately, please share them in the comments! And for more suggestions on comfort shoes, wide width shoes, and current shoe trends, check out my footwear archives on Wardrobe Oxygen!
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I am a Salt Water Sandals person every summer. I have 10 pairs of the original ones in all different colors. I still have the first pair that I bought about 10 years ago, and they are still looking good. They have zero arch support, but somehow are so comfortable for me. They are waterproof and look great with shorts and skirts and dresses. They take up very little space in a suitcase.
So many good choices! I just bought the Nikes you recommended, but in the off-white color, and really like them so far! Super comfortable right out of the box, and they give good support. They’re coming with me on an upcoming trip that will have quite a bit of walking. I also own several pairs of Golas and find them extremely comfortable even though they’re low profile.
I also have a pair of Archie’s flip flops! A local shoe store was selling them a few summers ago, and I couldn’t resist grabbing a pair for an upcoming beach trip. They really do provide nice support and are easy to walk in, although I can’t personally walk in rubber flip flops for any extended periods of time.
Olukai—wanted to mention these as another comfortable sandal or flip flop option. They are probably my favorites right now. They have arch support, comfortable soles that don’t rub my feet (I love my Birks but those suede footbeds tear my feet up with any serious walking), and the leather is soft and molds quickly on my feet. Just wanted to mention them as it seems like more places carry them these days.
For anyone like me, who prefers a flat shoe with minimal cushioning and no arch support, I suggest Bed Stu sandals, Toni Pons flat espadrilles, Vince raffia loafers, and for an extra special day, Larroude flat sandals and loafers. The choices today are amazing!
After an extensive foot surgery a year ago, I discovered an Australian brand of shoes that are both fashionable AND extremely supportive, comfy: Bared Footwear. Not cheap but not designer pricing- most average 280-330.
Yes! I found them when doing this article and the one coming Monday. I think I linked to some, can’t recall which of the two articles but I was intrigued and want to know more! https://bit.ly/4lmaTcu
This is a great roundup with lots of options! Unfortunately, “chic” and “narrow width” continues to be extremely elusive. I love shoes, but dread summer footwear because of this. The options are still largely “look like I’m 80” or “spend $$$$”. Yes, Birks come in narrow, but the standard Arizona’s look comical on truly narrow feet. It’s become easier to find dressier sandals in narrow, but everyday casual is what’s truly needed and very hard to find. For those nodding in solidarity — Teva has a newer Universal Thin strappy sandal that works well, and the Teva Olowahu flip flops are the only ones that stay on my feet. I’ve found a couple pairs of Sorel sandals that are chic and fit well enough in a standard width. SaltWater Sandals work well (stand in the bathtub with them to customize the width/mold to your foot). Birk’s Mayari and Florida aren’t as popular as Arizonas, but they’re way more flattering on a narrower foot. Keds now has trendier sneaker options that are super comfortable and fit perfectly out of the box. Nike also runs narrower. And if you have a women’s 7.5 or smaller foot — kids Chaco’s fit well. (The women’s shoe base is too wide for a narrow foot.) And not necessarily summer-specific — but Rothy’s flats are wonderful. Order a half size up.
Thank you SO MUCH for these suggestions!! I met a woman this weekend frustrated with the same issue and she said when she went to Paris she bought 10 pairs of shoes and shipped them home because she was finally able to find narrow shoes that weren’t frumpy or childish. She also got prescription frames there that were for slimmer faces that were also super cool.
I wore these to a country club dinner dance with a cocktail dress and to my son’s wedding with a full length dress. My husband is on the short side and I wanted comfort and stability on nights I knew I’d be on my feet a lot! I got lots of compliments! They come in a number of colors.
https://www.zappos.com/p/vionic-prism-black/product/9620607/color/3
Thank you, Alison! I love this post–the search for cute and functional summer shoes is a life quest. Here are more favourite sources to add to the mix:
Color: the Canadian company Maguire, featured on a previous WO post about spring/summer wedding sandals, has such charming colored sandals. (I am working my way up to trying them; IDK how they actually wear.)
All-purpose comfort:
Those who enjoy Scandinavian-style wood soled clogs might like clog sandals. I have a pair of Swedish Hasbeens (stylish, spendy) and a slip-in pair of Troentorps (less vava, more affordable). Both offer a range of colors suitable for low-contrast pairings with many skin tones. Like other wood-soled clogs, they have a platform and then a lift in the heel to keep the shoes on your feet. It makes for a wearable, understated height boost (you may want this or you may want to avoid it).
Fortress of Inca and sister brand Huma Blanco are another wonderful source for classy & classic shoes. They are fair trade, made in Peru; shipping is from Texas and fast.
I just updated my summer work “sandal” with these mules in black:
https://fortress.shoes/collections/womens-clogs/products/frankie-clog-sandal?variant=40697394364531
Thanks to the high quality and traditional materials they read very dressy when on.
(For reference I am a university administrator in the mid-Atlantic; my work look is Serious x European x Seasonally Appropriate)
Unlike actual Scandi-clogs, they do not have a solid wood sole, so I don’t expect them to hold up for decades of daily walking like traditional clogs would do.
p.s. On a totally unrelated note, you look great in shorts–I went from your skorts review to your older shorts post and was struck by how well they look on you.