4 Best Summer Sandal Trends for 2020

We used to find shopping the sales thrilling. Likewise the feeling of popping into a store to browse and leaving with an item that looked too good to pass up. While fun, that’s also a recipe for ending up with too many discordant pieces in our wardrobe, making getting dressed a pain rather than a pleasure. Now we keep a few principles in mind when shopping, like considering whether we really like a piece and can see its longevity and ease of wear, versus whether we’ve just seen it on Instagram a few too many times and therefore think we need it to keep our finger on the pulse; a simple but necessary distinction worth making. Looking beyond trends is vital. Clogs might seem like a good idea one season, only to look entirely bizarre next to your minimalist wardrobe in a year’s time.

When it comes to summer sandal trends, a few come back year after year, which means that it’s quite easy to build a capsule sandal wardrobe to last you beyond the summer 2020 season. And especially this year, it’s crucial to our buying choices, considering many of us will be staying closer to home for the holidays. Invest in quality over quantity, choose colours that will pair with the majority of your wardrobe, and pick a heel height that’s suitable for where you live and the amount you walk—just a few golden rules to follow when shopping for your next pair.

Below is a thoughtful edit of the best summer sandals for 2020 and beyond.

Mule-style sandals

Minimalism isn’t a new trend, but for the last few seasons designers have looked backed to the 90s era to give it a more vintage edge. Hardly surprising is the popularity of the mule sandal styles this year, complete with a square toe as inspired by Bottega Veneta. As long as the heel is in the low to mid range, mules are incredibly comfortable. They look chic with cropped jeans and a t-shirt and more feminine looks too. My pair of Arket twist mules tick all the boxes for me; the colour is timeless, the leather supple, and the heel is the perfect height to walk the streets of Paris for hours on end, plus there’s something just a little Chanel about the overall look—never a bad thing in my book. More than a passing trend, mules are becoming the go-to shoe for summer styling, cementing their wardrobe classic status.

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Flat Sandals

A pair of flat sandals will see you through any summer situation. We don’t like to play favourites and yet it’s definitely a pair of flat summer sandals that we would save in the event of a fire to rebuild a warm weather capsule wardrobe around. The ATP Atelier slides continue to be a hit every season since their release. It’s easy to see why; they’re comfortable first and foremost, plus they’re a style for all occasions: brunch, beach, drinks. The price point is a little higher but they might just be the perfect pair of flat summer sandals, and that’s worth every penny. I’ve worn mine every summer for going on 5 years - the leather lasts.

For a sportier take on the summer sandal, there’s the Arizona Love Trekky style, with their supremely comfortable foam platforms for a more stylish take on the hiking sandals. Navigating cobbled streets in them is a real breeze and the sporty ‘dad’ aesthetic helps to dress down linen dresses for daytime. We also love that they’re made in France!

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Low-heel Sandals

Sometimes we require a little lift to perfect a summer outfit. There’s no arguing with the leg-lengthening effects of a heel and how it can transform a silhouette, from casual denim looks through to flirtier summer dresses. Stilettos are basically a no-go and it does seem that those vertiginous styles are few and far between on real people with places to walk. Enter the low heel sandal. Two of the most prominent styles within this category are chunky heels and strappy, and it’s easy to find pairs that combine both features. This style is definitely more of an evening option; just imagine them worn with silky slip skirts and cute mini dresses.

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Wedge and Espadrille Sandals

It’s impossible to talk about essential sandal styles without mentioning wedges and espadrilles. The wedge heel comes in and out of fashion periodically when it comes to the autumn/winter season, yet it never fails to reappear during the summer months. Most of you will be familiar with the Casteñer Carina sandals and with good reason—they’re endlessly flattering thanks to the leg ties and are very well priced too. Another thing to love is the myriad of colourways they come in and multiple heel heights, so you can choose what’s most comfortable, starting from a 3cm low wedge sandal and going all the way up to 11cm. For something a little less bohemian, we love the minimalist (the 90s trend is with us to stay) feel of this Jigsaw pair; do act quick—they’re currently on sale.