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I have always (and I mean ALWAYS) been a shoe freak. Shoes, more than any other clothing or an accessory item, make me ridiculously happy. From my first pair of faux cowboy booties (which were way ahead of their time) in third grade to my chunky high-heel penny loafers in high school, to my over-the-top shoe collection from Saks including but not limited to my “Sex In the City famous” Manolo wedding shoes, footwear has been my love language.
Which, truly, is the motivation behind this one–the five shoes you need this summer. I mean, we can’t all have a closet filled with Guccis and Manolos ala Kim Kardashian, but we can, in our own way and our own budget, make every outfit stand out with a great pair of shoes. So that’s it, the whole idea. You can have the greatest outfit on Earth but if your shoes are subpar, the whole thing kind of deflates around you.
This list revolves around my FIVE main shoe categories for summer–COLORFUL SLIP-ONS, NEUTRAL DRESSY WEDGES OR HEELS, EVERYDAY SANDALS, WHITE SNEAKS, and BRIGHT SANDALS. I truly believe if you have one of each category, you will never be without a shoe to go with your look. I’ve tried to include different options for each of the categories as well, some budget-friendly and some a bit more extravagant, with the idea that not every accessory needs to be $$ to be fabulous. My philosophy, however, is that if something is going to last longer than a few years and get multiple uses, that’s where you invest your money. So, the Bright Sandal, that one you might go budget because it is definitely more on-trend. The Neutral Dressy? That one you can go a bit higher in price because it won’t really go out of style. I’ve had my pair for four years now and they’re still going strong (so much so that I can’t even find the same exact pair anymore).
So, without further adieu, here is the comprehensive Essential Summer Shoe List for 2022. ENJOY!
The Essential Summer Shoe List for 2022
Colorful Slip-Ons
Colorful slip-ons scream summer to me. There is nothing better than an easy on and off style with bright colors to make a neutral outfit stand out. My all-time and long-time favorites are The Rainbow Check Vans. I wear them all the time. So much so that they’re now molded to my feet and fit like a glove. I get compliments on them often and feel like my cool quotient raises just a bit every time I wear them. Not into the check? These printed TOMS scream summer. The blues and pinks will go with just about anything and we all know that TOMS is a company with a heart, which speaks to my inner hippie heart. On a budget? These flowered Old Navy slip-ons are darling and nail the ditzy floral trend really well. The muted colors make them really versatile and at under $20 you can’t argue with the deal!
The Neutral Dressy One
There are a few universal facts in fashion. Two of them (that I just made up) revolve around nude shoes. They are: 1) Nude goes with EVERYTHING and 2) Nude shoes make your legs look about 1,000 miles long. Both of these newly-minted fashion facts* are why a Neutral Dressy One is a must-have for your summer shoe game. I have two neutral pairs on rotation, my classic neutral espadrilles, which have been in my closet for going on four years and never seem to go out of style, and my new braided strap heels, which are a trendier option that I am loving this season. Now my neutral wedges are no longer in rotation (that I can find, anyway) but this great pair from Amazon will go with pretty much everything from shorts to dresses to skirts. And while I love my braided heels, had I known that this pair existed I would have 100% gotten these because they are around the same price but I love the kork heel on this pair. And finally, if you prefer a slightly more closed foot, the TOMS wedge is a great option and my favorite nude color out of all three.
The Everyday Sandal
Of all the shoes you will have on repeat during the dog days of summer, an everyday sandal is probably top on that list. This is a non-fancy, goes with everything, so comfortable it almost takes the shape of your foot, type of slip-on that you wear everywhere from the grocery store to the pool to brunch with friends. Usually neutral, they tend to be the workhorse in your summer wardrobe and the true MVP of your summer shoe wardrobe. These strappy Korks are the newest addition to my closet and I am in LOVE with them. They’re so comfortable it feels like my feet are naked and they look great with everything from jeans to shorts to dresses. Definitely a summer shoe winner. Want a neutral that’s a little bit EXTRA? Try these metallic strappy sandals from J.Crew Factory. With the perfect amount of extra balanced by an understated style, they are an everyday staple, pumped up a bit. Braided sandals are all the rage at the moment, and these flat slides are no exception. They add a level of detail to your everyday slide to kick it up a notch and are right on trend for the season.
The White Sneaks
There is almost nothing that sets the tone for a summer outfit than a crisp pair of white sneakers. Not usually a pair you use for true athletics (especially if you’re me), these are aesthetic in nature, just a nice clean way to top off a summer look. The best part about crisp clean sneakers is that they go with everything from dresses to jumpers and they are comfortable to boot. My go-to has always been my Addidas. I absolutely adore these shoes. I wear them with everything, to the point that they’re not necessarily crisp and clean anymore. A very versatile, classic pair of shoes, these will never go out of style. Want something pure white with no color, these Roxy Platform sneaks are adorable and give you a few extra inches to boot. I adore my Vintage Havanas, but they are definitely not white. However, I love the simplicity of this pair with just a black star and fancy laces for just a little extra interest. I also love that Vintage Havanas are slip-ons, which, as we discussed above, make the quintessential summer shoe.
The Colorful Sandal
This is a new one for me, inspired of course by my favorite capsule wardrobe program, the Outfit Formulas, but I don’t know how I lived without it for so long. There is nothing that packs an exclamation point onto a great outfit like a colorful sandal. It can take a simple look from drab to fab in two seconds (yes, I’m cringing myself as I type this), and the best part is you can treat them like a neutral with the idea that they go with almost anything (except what clashes). I love to get colorful sandals in a color that I love but wouldn’t look great next to my face, like these yellow wedges. Whereas it would wash me out like crazy if I wore it up top, on a shoe, it’s just a nice pop of sunshine on my feet. We all know I’m a sucker for red shoes. I love my red strappy heels and love how they make any outfit look like I am a French Minimalist queen. And these red slides are the casual version of my heels. I love how they are understated in style but have a huge pop of color to kick any outfit up a notch. If you’re not a fan of red, they come in a multitude of other brights and neutrals so you have the pick of your pop with this pair. While not necessarily colorful, these black and white slides from Old Navy create a different pop on your feet and I love how they add interest without color (for those neutral-obsessed gals). They’re also very budget-friendly and come in a great raffia-neutral option as well.
Whether you fall in love with just one or five pairs of shoes from this list, it’s my hope that whatever you find is something that brings a smile to your face and a pop to your look every time you wear it. Stay tuned, because next week I’ll be sharing some of my absolute favorite summer looks to pair with these shoes and it’s going to be a great one!
Peace, love, and footwear,
Meg
Welcome to BurntToast! My name is Meaghan, and this is my safe space, a place where we can share stories, share recipes and share life. It’s my dream that you can come here, kick your shoes off and pour yourself a glass of wine while you read, laugh, and maybe even hop into the kitchen. This is my heart, for all of you to see. And ALL are welcome here.