6 Summer Heel Trends Glamour Editors Are Shopping in 2025

With all due respect to classic pumps, we’ve had enough of understated footwear—and summer’s key heel trends are here to breathe new life into our wardrobes. As far as silhouettes, kitten heels still reign supreme, just now in the form of heeled thong sandals and low ballet heels. (Walkability, especially in the warmer months, is paramount.) Soft pastels are trending after popping up at Chanel, while bolder snakeskin adds an edge to jeans and dresses. And bold accents, like metal rings and huge rosettes, are the shoe trend that’s making any outfit a little more playful.

Ready to get your footwear rotation in line? These are the summer heel trends our editors are currently obsessing over.

Glamour’s summer heel trends wish list

The Embellished Pair: Omlishzty Kitten Heel Sandals, $50
The Ballet Pumps: Sam Edelman Rosa Pumps, $140
The Floral Gem: Dream Pairs Flower Kitten Heel Sandals, $36
The Strappy Sandals: Steve Madden Cary Heels, $80
The Thong Heels: Coach Thong Kitten Heels, $119
The Snake Slingbacks: Dolce Vita Byanca Heels, $60

1. Metal accents

While this trend got its start last year, when toe-ring sandals suddenly popped up everywhere, it’s back with even more variations for 2025. Built-in jewelry—metal straps, large beads, and, yes, toe rings—elevates sandals and mules, especially combined with slinky straps. Styling these picks is easy; just pick out a few pieces that match the tone, then throw on a little black dress or a T-shirt and wide-leg jeans.

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Cushionaire Maui Strappy Toe-Ring Heels

$70 $50

Amazon

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Ann Taylor Embellished Ankle-Wrap Heeled Sandals

$148 $89

Ann Taylor

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Omlishzty Kitten Heel Sandals

$50

Amazon

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Zara Sandals with Metallic Detail

$60

Zara

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JW Pei Helena Pierced Mules

$99

Amazon

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Jeffrey Campbell Capture Sandals

$170

Revolve

2. Ballet heels

Wish your ballet flats could give you a little boost? Thanks to this ladylike trend, they finally can. Recently spotted on celebrities like Michelle Monaghan and models at Simone Rocha’s spring-summer show, these ladylike shoes combine walkable block heels with classic ballerinas—and the result is pure poise. Go with a tulle skirt or a pleated dress to lean into the youthful energy, or switch things up with an airy blouse and denim shorts.

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Sam Edelman Rosa Pumps

$140

Amazon

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Reformation Terry Ballet Pumps

$298

Reformation

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Coach Ava Ballet Pumps

$66

Coach Outlet

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Margaux Ada Ballet Pumps

$325

Margaux

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Everlane Ballet Slingback Heels

$198

Everlane

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Circus by Sam Edelman Diane Pumps

$90

Amazon

$90

Zappos

3. Flower sandals

Nearly overnight, flower sandals have became one of the hottest things in fashion—ask any of our editors, who have fallen head over heels for rosettes after they appeared in Bottega Veneta’s spring-summer show. These aren’t shoes that’ll blend in, but that’s the appeal. (Who doesn’t want to be Carrie Bradshaw every once in a while?) Just leave the maxiskirts and jeans at home; these babies call for minis and midis to give them room to breathe.

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Dream Pairs Flower Kitten Heel Sandals

$54 $36

Amazon

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Stuart Weitzman Paradise Sandals

$575

Saks Fifth Avenue

$575

Bergdorf Goodman

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Loeffler Randall Frank Slingback Sandals

$375

Nordstrom

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Sam Edelman Carla Sandals

$130

Amazon

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Linea Paolo Idalia Sandals

$130

Nordstrom

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Kate Spade Flourish Sandals

$268

Nordstrom

4. Pretty pastels

Coach, Chanel, Tory Burch, and Jacquemus all sent heels in various pastels down their spring-summer runways, matching the color stories we’ve seen for the rest of this season’s fashion. It’s a wonderful proposition for color skeptics and lovers alike; the former can test shades without going too bold, while the latter gets a softer palette to play with. Baby blue, petal pink, and butter yellow are great places to start—and all look great with black trousers and blue jeans.

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Marc Fisher LTD Posey Kitten Heels

$42

Nordstrom

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Coach Runway Kitten Heels

$195

Nordstrom

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Steve Madden Cary Heels

$80

Zappos

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Call It Spring Reinaa Slingback Pumps

$55

Nordstrom

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Lola Cruz Satina Heels

$250

Anthropologie

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Sam Edelman Bianka Slingback Heels

$140

Revolve

5. ’90s thong heels

With the rise of artful minimalism—one of summer’s major fashion trends—casual-yet-sultry thong sandals have obvious appeal. They’re a cut above casual flip-flops, effortlessly elevating dresses or cheekily contrasting tailored pants. Sure, these shoes aren’t ideal for all-day walking, but they’re perfect for events, fancy dinners, and Insta-worthy photo moments.

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Coach Thong Kitten Heels

$119

Coach Outlet

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Reformation Sophie Heeled Sandals

$248

Reformation

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Cushionaire Miami Kitten Heels

$50

Amazon

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Nine West Andela Flip-Flops

$85

Nordstrom

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Zara Heeled Sandals

$50

Zara

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Viugjnex Thong Heels

$42 $36

Amazon

6. Snakeskin heels

Khaite, Bottega Veneta, Dries Van Noten, and Valentino all sent snake-print heels down their spring-summer runways, and the rest of the fashion world has taken note. So before the season gets into full swing, trade in your leopard and zebra for faux snakeskin; it has a little more bite, lending an edgy sense of cool to your looks. Plus, thanks to the subdued colors, you’ll be able to wear these picks well into fall.

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