Summer sandals are doing a lot of work right now — and honestly, that's how it should be. Whether you're heading to a rooftop dinner, a weekend farmers market, or just trying to get through a hot Tuesday with some style intact, the right pair of sandals makes the whole outfit click. Here's how to wear them well this summer.
Find Your Foundation Sandal First
Before you start building outfits, think about what kind of sandal actually fits your life. A flat leather slide in cognac or taupe is genuinely the most useful shoe you can own in summer — it pairs with linen trousers, midi skirts, denim shorts, and everything in between. If you're on your feet all day, look for a sandal with a contoured footbed rather than a completely flat one. Your arches will thank you by August.
For those who want a little height, a low block heel sandal in black or beige gives you stability and a slightly dressed-up look without the wobble of a stiletto on warm pavement. Strappy styles in these neutral shades tend to work harder across more outfits, so they're worth the investment in that $99–$149 range.
Dressing Them Up (Without Overthinking It)
The easiest way to make sandals feel dressed up is to let the rest of the outfit do some of the heavy lifting. A slip dress in ivory or a wide-leg trouser in cream paired with a strappy heeled sandal in cognac reads very intentional — you look like you made a decision, not just grabbed whatever was by the door.
For evening occasions, a black heeled sandal with an ankle strap is reliable in the best way. It doesn't compete with a printed dress or a bold earring moment. Keep the toe area open and the heel around two to two-and-a-half inches if you want comfort that actually lasts through dinner and dancing.
One tip worth knowing: ankle-strap sandals tend to look best when there's a bit of leg showing. If you're wearing a maxi skirt or full-length trousers, a slide or a simple toe-strap sandal will show better than one with a lot of ankle detailing that gets lost in the fabric.
Casual Summer Days Call for Real Comfort
Casual doesn't mean you have to settle for sandals that hurt by noon. A well-made flat sandal with a slightly cushioned sole — think a double-strap style in taupe or beige — can carry you from morning coffee to an afternoon walk without any complaint from your feet.
Pair these with your most-worn summer pieces: cutoff shorts, breezy cotton dresses, linen sets. The key is proportion. A chunky-soled sandal looks great with something a little more streamlined on top, while a delicate flat sandal balances out wider, floatier silhouettes really nicely.
If you tend to run between sizes, sandals with an adjustable buckle give you a much better fit than slip-on styles. A sandal that's slightly too loose will rub and slide — not what you want on a long summer day. Always size to your longer foot and adjust the strap from there.
Colors That Actually Work All Season
Neutral sandals get talked about constantly, but there's a reason: they genuinely go with more. Cognac leather works with warm tones — terracotta, rust, olive, cream. Taupe and beige lean cooler and pair easily with white, navy, and soft pink. Black sandals are the ones you reach for when nothing else feels right, and ivory sandals have had a real moment lately, especially with all-white or monochrome summer looks.
That said, don't sleep on one fun color. A single pair in something unexpected — a warm red or a soft sage — can completely change how you wear your existing wardrobe.
Ready to find your summer sandal? Browse the Prologue Shoes collection to shop styles across all these fits, heel heights, and colors — with options from $59 to $199 to suit whatever the season has planned for you.
Shop This Collection
