Views: 148
When it comes to getting dressed, one of the easiest ways to inject some eclecticism into your outfit is via your footwear. Even if you want to keep things streamlined and efficient with something like a capsule wardrobe, by having a considered edit of shoes, you can still have a lot of fun.
In fact, for Spring/Summer 2025, the best shoe trends encourage that spirit of playfulness. Because the shoes that you’ll see everywhere as the weather warms up all blend a retro revival with refined modernity.
ELLE’s Edit Of The Best Shoes To Buy In 2025
- Best Thongs: Tony Bianco Annie Heel, $189
- Best Jelly Shoes: Tory Burch Mellow Mary Jane, $262
- Best Sneakers: Dries Van Noten Leather-Trimmed Sneaker, $1,075
- Best Clogs: Sando Elypsee Clog, $230
- Best Wedges: MNZ Olympia Heeled Sandals, $600
All of the trending shoes for spring/summer have a note of nostalgia to them while still being timeless. Jellies that recall our childhoods spent running around playgrounds. Boho-chic adjacent clogs that are having a huge revival thanks to Chemena Kamali’s Chloé. Sleek, sporty low-profile sneakers that could almost double as slip shoes.
Sculptural wedges that conjure 2000s memories. And minimalist thongs that make a humble shoe chic. Some of them have been gaining steam for the past year, but all are set to be major mainstays this season and offer an opportunity to create a moment that feels fresh. Not to mention, all of them are also pretty comfortable, too (always a bonus).
And sure, summer in Australia usually means a general ‘no shoe’ policy, but that won’t stop us from turning out a fit. So with that in mind, we’ve pulled together a list of the best of the trending shoes for spring/summer 2025.
Thong Sandals
When Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen showed a pair of minimalist flip-flops as part of their Spring 2024 collection for The Row, we knew the shoe was set for a big revival. And many months later, there are no signs of slowing for the humble thongs. Other design houses like Bottega Veneta and Proenza Schouler have also interpreted the iconic flat, cementing its revival which has also included a subtle elevation via sculptural heels and glossy finishes.
While you could always opt for the OG pair of Havianas, we love the way that local labels like A.Emery and Christopher Esber have remixed the style in a super subtle way that instantly elevates it from kind-of-cringe beach shoe to high-fashion wardrobe staple. Paired with a silk slip, denim jorts and a crisp white tee, or black trousers and a button‑down shirt, there are myriad ways to style the shoe for maximum longevity.
CHRISTOPHER ESBER
Jo Flip Flop
TONY BIANCO
Annie Heel
A.EMERY
The Kinto Sandal
HAVAIANAS
574 Slim Basic Thongs
Jelly Soles
When the first signs of the jellies renaissance started to appear, we were slightly sceptical. Sure, they’re cute and certainly offer a fun dose of nostalgia. But the traditional buckle jellies aren’t exactly practical or comfortable. However, as the trend has set in and designers have experimented, the new wave of jellies offer just the right blend of fuss-free playfulness with comfort.
Recent iterations include mesh jelly flats, kitten‑heeled versions, and fisherman sandals in PVC, while brands like Melissa still lead the pack with cool collaborations like their latest collection with Diesel. Not only fun, but they’re also practical for travel and summers spent poolside, being water-resistant, easy to clean. They’re also surprisingly versatile. Styled with linen dresses or pleated trousers, they add a playful, retro edge without feeling too childlike.
ANCIENT GREEK SANDALS
Iro PVC Ballet Flats
CHLOE
Jelly Thong Sandals
TORY BURCH
Mellow Mary Jane
MELISSA
Melissa Quantum Thong + Diesel
Sleek Sneakers
It’s probably not a surprise to know that the biggest sneaker trend of the moment is sleek and low to the ground. Following on from the Samba supremacy, adidas styles like the Taekwondo as well as Puma’s Speedcat and the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 are all proving dominant sneakers of the moment.
With a slender silhouette, suede finishes and varied colour palettes, they’re super versatile and able to be personalised based on how you style them. They can either serve as a confident pop of colour or low-key accessory, making them the season’s pick-me-up duo mate for jeans, loose trousers, and sundresses alike.
COUNTRY ROAD
Darcy Sneaker
DRIES VAN NOTEN
Leather-Trimmed Sneaker
ON
Cloud 6
NEW BALANCE
MT10O
Modern Clogs
You can thank Chemena Kamali for the resurgence of boho-chic we’re seeing everywhere. Now well-documented, the trend has blossomed to the point of the clog experiencing an auxiliary popularity. Following Kamali’s debut collection for Chloé last February, other labels such as Miu Miu, Khaite and Ulla Johnson have also debuted their own versions.
This season, they’ve been reimagined with metallic hardware, padded straps, and platform soles for a relatively pared back aesthetic. You either follow Kamali’s lead by pairing them with flowy lace dresses, or wear them with wide-leg jeans to give them a cooler edge. Great for temperate sunshine, the elevated slip-ons offer style with substance.
CHLOÉ
Jeannette Platform Clogs
PULL&BEAR
Leather Cowboy Clogs
ANCIENT GREEK SANDALS
Omonia Studded PVC Clogs
SANDRO
Elypsee Clog
Unexpected Wedges
Once considered a fashion faux pas, the wedge heel has proven itself to be one of the most enduring shoe styles. For spring/summer 2025, one of our favourite trending shoes is the fun wedge which is defined by architectural shapes and shiny textures.
Runway heavyweights like Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Courrèges all presented a wedge that felt totally new and not at all daggy. Meanwhile, some of our favourite local brands like St. Agni and Paris Georgia have also delivered modern alternatives that are favoured by It girls. These silhouettes ground fluid dresses and wide-leg linen trousers with subtle height, yet still feel pretty effortless. Inspired by retro platforms but refined for modernity, these wedges bring a polished boost to everything from casual weekend fits to warm‑weather weddings.
ST. AGNI
Soft Strap Contour Wedge
PARIS GEORGIA
09 Valentina Wedge
MARYAM NASSIR ZADEH
Olympia Heeled Sandals
PROENZA SCHOULER
Coil Glossed-Leather Wedge
The post Trust Us, These Five Shoes Will Be Everywhere This Summer appeared first on ELLE.
