Sole of the Summer
Sole of the Summer
By Micah Owens — October 1 2026
Transitioning from a summer wardrobe to a fall one means realizing the same five pairs of shoes have been dominating all season.
Summer 2026 definitely had its unofficial “shoes.” They were not always the designer pairs seen on the runway. Instead, they were the shoes people found themselves wearing everywhere — tossed in the back seat of the car, left by the pool, sitting next to the bed, or waiting by the front door.
These shoes became the informal dress code for the average young woman this summer.
The first was the flip-flop. An inexpensive option that could not possibly be overthought, flip-flops were worn for trips to the beach, errands, vacations, and those “just running out real quick” moments.
Both Havaianas and Rainbows were everywhere this summer, proving that while flip-flops are the ultimate comfort shoe, they can be just as stylish when paired with the right outfit. Their popularity throughout the fashion world only reinforced their place as one of the defining shoes of the season.
Next were ballet flats, one of the summer trends that can easily carry into cooler fall weather.
Arguably one of the most recognizable “fashion girl” shoes of the summer, ballet flats took their school-uniform reputation and turned it into something much cooler. From mesh and Mary Janes to pointed-toe, Tabi, and soft leather versions, variations of the shoe popped up everywhere. Jennifer Lawrence was one celebrity who incorporated the style into her everyday wardrobe, pairing ballet flats with relaxed denim and simple tops.
It looks like the Adidas Samba will continue to enjoy its time in the sun. However, 2026 also gave the slim sneaker some new competition. The Onitsuka Tiger and Adidas Tokyo brought retro, European-inspired sneakers into American closets. Both styles worked with everything from denim shorts to maxi skirts and managed to make even a basic outfit feel intentional.
For the girl who wanted comfort without looking like she had completely given up on her outfit, there were Birkenstocks. Worn with linen pants, athletic shorts, sundresses, and just about everything in between, Birkenstocks proved that comfort did not have to come at the expense of style.
Last but certainly not least came the ballet sneaker, a weirdly wonderful combination of a ballet flat and a sneaker. The unique hybrid is also an easy trend to carry into fall, offering more coverage than a traditional ballet flat without losing its feminine shape. The Puma Speedcat Ballet is one standout version of the trend.
Perhaps the way to define the footwear of summer 2026 is simple: uncomplicated. The best shoes are the ones that can travel anywhere, from the grocery store to dinner, from a college apartment to an airport, from a beach towel to a night out.
Before long, the sandals will go into storage and sneakers will become the safer bet. For now, however, the shoes of summer are still by the door, waiting to be worn one more time.
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