Hallie Abrams breaks down six essential shoe categories for summer 2026: barely-there heeled sandals, flat sandals, modern wedges, kitten-heel thongs, Hermès-inspired slides, and jeweled statement slides. She emphasizes walkability and versatility over buying an entirely new collection each season.
Stop scrolling because we're going to talk about shoes. We're going to talk about the shoes that you need for this spring and summer. And if you're a good student and you've been following me for a while, you will realize there are some carryovers that I have from last year that are still on this list, which is good because each year you don't need all new shoes, you just need the right shoes, and each season you can just add a few new ones. All right, let's start with the carryovers. A barely there sandal with a walkable heel. It could be something like this, and it could be something like this. It's something that's going to evaporate and not look all clunky when you're wearing it with a skirt or a dress or shorts or crops, right? We also need a barely there that is a flat sandal. It could be something like this that has a little bit more of a sole, or it could be something that's really barely there like that. Tan, brown, neutral color— you pick what works for you. We're also going to do the same thing with a wedge, but a modern wedge. A modern wedge means that is more architectural in the heel. It is not a big, thick, clunky raffia platform, platform wedge. Now, that being said, this is raffia, but it's architectural. So either one, they both work, they look good, they elongate the leg, they're sturdy to walk on, and that's what's important. But they're not clunky. Another one that sort of was here last year but not on my list, but it's even getting hotter, is is a kitten heel thong. Again, do it in a black, do it in a leopard, do it in a white, anything like that. It adds a little height but walkable and has a barely-there kind of feel. Are you noticing a theme? Last but not least, these are two that maybe were on the list last year, but they 100% have been in my wardrobe for more than a year, and I wear them all the time. On a cost-per-wear basis, these guys owe me nada. This is a inspired by the Hermès, but I happen to like them better because I think they're more comfortable. I wear them all the time. I could walk miles in these. And this, if you're into more of a statement, again, even with the jewels on it, I think they go with everything. When I go on vacation, these go with me. One of these, sometimes two if I want to overpack.
