6 Top Summer Shoe Trends for Grown-ass Women: 2024 Edition

We grown-ass women wear whatever we want, but sometimes, we like to know what's fashionable each season and add some trends to our existing closet. The easiest way to update your existing summer wardrobe is with a switch to shoes. Each summer, new shoes are considered “hot,” but not all are comfortable or work with a grown woman's wardrobe. Below, I share on-trend summer shoes that are great for us.

What 2023 Shoe Trends Are Still Stylish?

I wrote this post in 2023 and updated it for Summer 2024 shoe trends. Updating outdated content makes more sense than making a whole new article. But for reference, the six shoe trends for grown women I recommended last year were:

1. Square-toe kitten heel sandals
2. Elevated flip flop
3. “Dad” or fisherman sandal
4. Birkenstocks (and similar sandals)
5. Elevated ballet flat (focusing on square toes, metallics, and Mary Janes)
6. Retro-inspired sneakers that were lower profile and trim

Honestly, all of these trends remain stylish in 2024. Maybe the square toed sandal trend didn't have as much longevity, but kitten heels are still hot and I bet every shoe you bought last summer will still be great this summer and work with 2024 fashion trends. But if you wish to update your shoe game this season, below I share the top summer shoe trends best for us grown-ass women.

Top Summer Shoe Trends for Grown Women

I am sticking to the six styles I think are more wearable and will give you the most bang for your buck if added to your existing wardrobe. Like my list last year, these will still be chic in 2025 (and beyond).

Kitten Heels

Last summer, I said kitten heel sandals were hot and while they continue to be, you will see kitten heel everything in 2024. For summer, along with kitten heel sandals, you will see plenty of kitten heel peeptoes. And come fall and winter, I am expecting to see plenty of kitten heel boots and pumps.

shop the collage: one (under $100)| two (with arch support) | three | four | five (under $60) | six | seven (under $90) | eight (4 widths under $100) | nine | ten (2 widths under $60) | eleven (under $60) | twelve

While kitten heels may bring to mind a very specific silhouette, in 2024, kitten heel means it's a heel that is not chunky and is not tall. That means you'll see some interesting architecture, some slimmer, some tapered, some sculptural, and a nice mix of modern and retro silhouettes. You will see kitten heel mules and slides, slingbacks and pumps, and sandals of every shape and style. It's nice to have a dressy shoe that isn't sky-high!

Dressy Flip Flops and Thong Sandals

I don't condone wearing flip flops and thongs every day as they can really strain your feet and rarely provide support. However, this year you will find thong sandals with ankle straps, toe rings, slingbacks, and lots of top of foot coverage so your toes don't have to work as hard.

shop the collage: one (under $20) | two | three (2 widths available) | four | five | six (under $100) | seven | eight | nine (under $90) | ten | eleven (under $50) | twelve | thirteen (2 widths available) | fourteen (2 widths available) | fifteen | sixteen (sustainable)

A pair of these flat thong sandals are a travel favorite of mine as they take up so little room in luggage. If you get them in a metallic or elevated style, they can be your dressy shoes or your hotel room slippers, and tuck into your day bag for a quick change when your feet need a break from your sightseeing shoes. They're also great to have for occasions taking place on sand and grass, looking chic with jumpsuits, dresses, and polished shorts that are hot this summer.

Sleek Sneakers

I discussed this trend last summer, but with movies like Challengers, all these sports-related documentaries, and the popularity of pickleball and tennis, the court sneaker or tennis shoe and other retro-inspired sleek sneakers are hot hot hot. What's great is these shoes are often lighter-weight fabrics, making them much more comfortable in summer than chunky leather sneakers (and cheaper too!).

shop the collage: one | two (2 widths available) | three (sustainable) | four | five (sustainable) | six | seven (I own these and find them wide-friendly) | eight | nine (2 widths available) | ten | eleven | twelve

White is classic, but you will see black, tan, and plenty of colors this season. Do what makes you happy and works best with your wardrobe. If you got the Birknstock Bend sneakers, those are still a great choice as is the Taos Plim Soul, the Naturalizer Morrison, and the Vionic Kimmie, which is in the collage above.

Western Boots

The country-western theme continues into 2024, and cowboy boots and other footwear inspired by cowboy and western boots are a popular look, along with shorts, dresses, skirts, and jeans. Go classic, or have fun as you will find styles from ankle booties to knee-grazing tall boots this summer.

shop the collage: one | two (2 widths) | three | four | five | six (under $60) | seven | eight | nine | ten (wide calf and width; code ALISON15 for 15% off)

As someone who lives in a place where summer is not only hot but humid, and I don't ride horses or do any summer activities that benefit from such footwear, I will be passing on this trend. But boots can look pretty sharp with sundresses and shorts and if you like a practical trend, buy quality and love these boots for many years to come.

Elevated Flats

Mary Jane straps and ankle straps. Pleated vamps. Bows and buckles. Statement-making soles. Square toes and elongated toes and open toes and cap toes. Grommets and mesh and metallics. 2024 continues the trend of the elevated flat.

shop the collage: one | two | three | four | five | six (2 widths available) | seven | eight | nine | ten (2 widths available) | eleven | twelve | thirteen

While in 2023 the focus was on more structured of flats, this summer rock those soft pliable ballet flats and glove flats. Again, there isn't a super specific must-have silhouette or color so wear what you like. Silver chrome flats continue to be stylish, and pops of red, orange, and green will work now and into fall.

Natural Fibers

Canvas, raffia, rope, rattan, macrame, wood, cork. This season you will see a lot of shoes incorporating more natural of fibers as well as those natural colors of cream, tan, and brown. Not just the textile, these natural fibers are used for accessorizing. you'll see raffia and rope bows, wood embellishment, and rattan inserts.

shop the collage: one | two | three (2 widths available) | four | five | six | seven | eight (4 widths available) | nine (2 widths available) | ten | eleven (4 widths available) | twelve

I love a cork or raffia shoe for summer because it goes with everything. Not as dressy as a metallic, a natural fiber shoe can go from wide-leg linen drawstring pants to a cocktail dress.

What Summer Shoe Trends Are a Continuing Classic?

If you have espadrilles, huaraches, or delicately strappy heels, they are still on trend this summer. Such shoes won't be going out of fashion any time soon. In fact, many fashion magazines are claiming strappy-heeled sandals and wedge espadrilles to be hot trends for 2024.

What Color Shoes Are Stylish This Summer?

Last summer, the black sandal was a hot look. This summer, I am seeing a lot of white shoes. Not at all looking like old-school nurses shoes, these are white kitten heels, white strappy heels, white sandals with black or wood or cork platforms or wedges, and white flats (Mary Jane, slingback, mesh). But you do not need to buy white shoes to look stylish this summer. I won't be buying them.

I am seeing a return to neutrals, especially with texture. Raffia, cork, linen, crochet, woven, and snakeskin are in, especially if they are looking natural in shades of tan, camel, beige, cream, and brown. You will see a lot of heels and soles made of cork, wood, and rope.

Color pops are still chic. While 2023 was all about pink, I feel 2024 is the year for green. From lime to forest, avocado to emerald, you will see all sorts of shades of green in footwear as well as other accessories and apparel throughout the year. But continue to wear your colorful shoes of any shade as the primary rule with fashion right now is to put your own personal spin on it and that includes favorite colors.

But What About [Enter Summer Shoe Trend Here]?

This list doesn't encompass all the hot footwear trends for Summer 2024, just the ones I think are the most comfortable, versatile, and easy to add to an existing closet for us grown-ass women. These are new styles (or revisit of styles we've worn before) that will update your existing not-so little black dresses, linen and chino pieces, and breezy sundresses.

I have chosen to bypass trends that we likely did before, know they suck, and won't revisit. For example, jelly shoes. Yes, they are back, and no, I doubt any of us wish to revisit that slippery, stinky trend. Mesh flats are back, too. I remember having mesh indentations on my both cold and sweaty feet, which hurt from the lack of arch support and cushioning. But you do you, wear what brings you comfort and joy!

Heeled and wedge slides and mules are also back, whether they are a wide strap over most of the foot or more delicate structure holding the foot by a thong, toe ring, or a couple of thin straps. And we all likely did that platform slide from Steve Madden with the black fabric upper. I know my ankles have never been the same since I did such slides and I can't in good conscience recommend one to revisit that style.

But I Need [Enter Foot Problem Solver Here]

I never believe in sacrificing comfort and health for fashion. My advice is a guide, not gospel. If you need a certain style of shoe to deal with your foot issues, then rock those shoes without shame. In fact, you may find this year, with the trend towards more substantial sandals and the added variety of “cool” sneakers, you may have more luck than in past years in finding shoes that fit your personal style aesthetic and your comfort and health needs!