6 Top Summer Shoe Trends for Grown-ass Women: 2025 Edition

We grown-ass women wear whatever we want, but sometimes, we like to know what's fashionable each season so we can add some trends to our existing closet. The easiest way to update your existing summer wardrobe is by leaning into current summer shoe trends.

Each summer, new shoes are considered “hot,” but not all are comfortable or work with a grown woman's wardrobe. Some claim to be ideal for travel and walking but give us the worst blisters no matter how many times you try and “break them in.” Others, while they're great for walking, aren't always the most visually appealing (not that that's entirely important, but it does matter!). Below, I share on-trend summer shoes that are great for us grown-ass women. You don't have to compromise, you can get both style and comfort.

What 2025 Shoe Trends Are Still Stylish?

I wrote this post in 2023, updated it for Summer 2024 shoe trends, and am updating it again to keep up with the summer shoe trends of 2025. Updating outdated content makes more sense than making a whole new article. But for reference, here are the shoe trends for grown women I've recommended over the last couple of years.

In 2024, the summer shoe trends were:

1. Kitten heels
2. Dressy flip flops and thong sandals
3. Sleek sneakers
4. Western boots
5. Elevated flats
6. Natural fibers

Honestly, all of these trends remain stylish in 2025. Although some styles and trends may not have had as much longevity, you'll find that many of these examples remain popular and will continue to work well with 2025 fashion trends. But, if you do wish to update your shoe game this season, I'm sharing the top 2025 summer show trends best for us grown-ass women.

Top Summer Shoe Trends for Grown Women

I am sticking to the six styles I think are more wearable and will give you the most bang for your buck if added to your existing wardrobe. Like my list last year, these will still be chic in 2026 (and beyond).

If you want an overview of what I said about last year's summer shoe trends, you can review that below. Otherwise, keep scrolling for 2025's new and improved list of summer shoe trends that will keep your feet (and your wardrobe) happy.

Top 2025 Summer Shoe Trends for Grown Women

Mules

I recently discussed mules in my “stylish closed-toe summer shoes” post, and it deserves a spot here as well. Mules are just one of those styles that, as a society, we will never grow tired of. They're versatile, chic, and typically very comfortable. You can find woven styles, bright colors, and heeled or non-heeled options—it's hard not to find a style that you'll love and get plenty of use out of.

For the office, a closed-toe loafer-inspired mule like these from Naturalizer's 27 Edit line are a great choice (and come in widths!). For a bit of lift and style, these mules from Banana Republic are chic and look secure on the feet (and timeless enough to look just as stylish a year from now).

Clogs

I know what you may be thinking… “Clogs? In a summer shoe trends post? Really?” However, we're not talking about classic closed-toe clogs made from thick material to keep your toes warm in the fall and winter. We're looking at a revamped, summer-appropriate, no-sweating-necessary style.

Miu Miu introduced their open-toe calf suede clog sandals, modernizing a closet staple into something new and fresh. Kinda have a Dr. Scholl's old-school vibe to them, but better designed to not clop around or cause foot pain. Now, I'm not sure about you, but I won't be paying $875 for a pair of summer shoes (more power to you if you choose to!). But, you can find almost identical styles at a much more budget-friendly price from brands such as Steve Madden, Shutz, and yes, even Dr. Scholl's.

Bold Versus Neutral Sneakers

There are a few fun things that have come from this year's summer shoe trends, as far as the sneaker world goes. On one hand, the whites, neutrals, tans, and blacks will always have a permanent spot in trends. They're timeless go-tos that pair well with anything from athleisure looks to gauzy sundresses.

On the other hand, we're seeing another resurgence of the bright, retro-inspired sneaker. Dolce Vita has been selling its colorful options of the ‘Notice” sneaker like hotcakes. And Adidas, while the Sambas have always been a popular choice, now come in fun colors. I am partial to the ash blue variation that blends vintage charm with modern edge. I am partial to the Puma Speedcat, and think the red option is very chic but also quite wearable now and into fall.

Fisherman Sandals

Coming in as a blast from 2023's past, fisherman sandals are ranking in again as one of the top summer shoe trends, and I'm not mad about it. They're similar to mules in the sense of versatility—you can opt for a heel if you want a little height or stick with the flats if you plan to be on your feet a lot.

For the workplace, these from Everlane are a great option. Dress up your sundresses with this gold pair from Boden. Try out the trend for less with this option from Old Navy. And for everyday, I am fond of these from Bella Vita, which come in widths.

Rope Sandals

We're used to flip flops, Birkenstocks, and regular throw-on-and-go sandals, and even rope-textured heels and soles, but rope sandals are a separate 2025 shoe trend. They're fantastic for adding a nice, laid-back look to your outfit, and you can find them in a wide variety of colors and styles.

These rope sandals from Alohas are a modern take on the gladiator, and these from J. Crew are elegant and so versatile. And who had Sperry on their trendy shoe bingo card for 2025? Their “Isla” paracord sandal is selling out everywhere, but I found some at Macy's (red and blue), DSW (navy), Evereve (white), and of course, the Sperry site has all the colors.

Woven, Mesh, and Perforated Shoes

While mesh shoes gained traction in 2024, Summer 2025 has perfected the trend by making them actually wearable. More durable mesh options, sheer linings to prevent the basketweave from digging into your toes, soft pieces of leather woven together, and perforation on sneakers to slides for airflow and comfort.

These gold mesh Mary Jane flats from J. Crew Factory get rave reviews for comfort at a nice price. I trust Margaux for quality and fit, and these woven sandals look super chic, timeless, and comfortable.

What Summer Shoe Trends Are a Continuing Classic?

If you have espadrilles, huaraches, and Birkenstock sandals, they are still very much on trend this summer. Such shoes won't be going out of fashion anytime soon. In fact, many fashion magazines are claiming espadrilles to be the “new hot trend for 2025” even though we grown women know they've been a summer classic for decades.

What Color Shoes Are Stylish This Summer?

In the summer of 2023, the black sandal was a hot look. For the summer of 2024, white shoes were extremely popular. As far as summer shoe trends go for 2025, many browns and mochas are making a statement. Fortunately, these shades are inherently neutral, so they pair nicely with plenty of things. However, you don't need to buy brown shoes to look stylish this summer. I didn't participate in the white shoe trend of 2024, and I was perfectly content with all of the stylish outfits I curated.

I am seeing a return to neutrals, especially with texture, but this has been a recurring theme for quite a few years now. Raffia, cork, linen, and macrame/crochet are in, especially if they are in shades of tan, camel, beige, cream, and brown. You will see a lot of heels and soles made of cork, wood, and rope.

Color pops are still chic. While 2023 was all about Barbie pink, and 2024 was the year for green, 2025 is butter yellow, pastel blue, and fiery red. However, continue to wear your colorful shoes in any shade, as the primary rule of fashion right now is to put your own spin on it (and that includes your favorite colors).

But What About [Enter Summer Shoe Trend Here]?

This list doesn't encompass all the hot footwear trends for Summer 2025, just the ones I think are the most comfortable, versatile, and easy to add to an existing closet for us grown-ass women. These are new styles (or revisits of styles we've worn before) that will update your existing not-so-little black dresses, linen and chino pieces, and breezy sundresses.

I have chosen to bypass trends that we likely did before, know they suck, and won't revisit. For example, jelly shoes. Yes, they are back, and no, I doubt any of us wish to revisit that slippery, stinky trend. Mesh flats are back, too. I remember having mesh indentations on both my cold and sweaty feet, which hurt from the lack of arch support and cushioning. But you do you, wear what brings you comfort and joy!

Heeled slides and thongs are back, and I don't think I could ever return to this trend. My ankles have not recovered from the past, and I don't know about you, but I don't want to put that strain on the space between my big and second toe to teeter around in heeled flip-flops.

But I Need [Enter Foot Problem Solver Here]

I never believe in sacrificing comfort and health for fashion. My advice is a guide, not gospel. If you need a certain style of shoe to deal with your foot issues, then rock those shoes without shame.

In fact, you may find this year, with the trend towards more substantial sandals and the added variety of “cool” sneakers, that you have more luck than in past years in finding shoes that fit your personal style aesthetic and your comfort and health needs. I also have a post where I focus specifically on chic and comfortable summer shoes for grown women.