Hey Sugarcups! I wanted to make this week’s post focused on shoes.
Not those ‘Here are 20 sandals you need this month’ posts that I just can’t get on board with (scroll, save, forget by Thursday). This post is all about the reality of what’s trending, why, and how it will directly affect how you’ll dress this Tuesday, whether you’re running a board deck, dropping kids off to school, going into a pitch or all of the above. The key thing to note about these shoes is that they’re not a fashion accessory. They’re the most truthful piece of your outfit and immediately tell people who you are.
Yes, your blazer might be borrowing someone else’s energy, your bag may be aspirational but your shoes are a choice. And this summer (2026) they’re more interesting than ever. I was walking around Marylebone today when I saw a woman approaching. There is no way she should have looked this good at approx. 8.45am. She was wearing linen trousers with her silk top tucked in, her coffee was large and she was wearing red sandals. Her red sandals really made the outfit. The beautiful flat thong sandals in a clean cherry red really gave her outfit purpose. Although her walking didn’t reflect the thought that had gone into her outfit. She was walking with purpose, as it was a one choice outfit.
The key takeaway from this post? We could stop now but there are 5 things to talk about and some will really influence how you dress this summer. Let’s get into it! 5 European Summer Sandals to Know About. The thing I love about how European women dress for summer is that they are extremely efficient. There’s no layering trends. Instead they find the one item and wear it to death. They’ll outshine everyone with one choice. It’s like the 80/20 rule in fashion. Only 20% of your choices will create 80% of the visual impact. Founders & consultants know this already, but sometimes it can be overlooked when it comes to your shoes.
Here are the 5 trends that are doing the work for European women this summer, and the truth behind them.
1. Red Sandals – One Choice Outfits. First up, the red sandals. You’re probably thinking to yourself ‘What pairs well with red?’ and the answer is everything. Navy, white, beige and black. It’ll pair perfectly with your grey linen suit you’ve been wearing since May and your olive dress you couldn’t figure out how to style last summer. Red on your feet is the oldest trick in the continental European book and it’s here again because it works. It’s a full-stop. With one colour choice you don’t have to worry about your earrings, belt, bag strap etc. The shoes have done the thinking for you.
This season you can get flat or heeled versions. It’s unusual to see such a democratic trend. The flat version will work for you if you’re rushing to drop the kids off to school or have a long Friday. The heeled version will work for you if you’re going into a client dinner or that event you have 6 weeks from now. Mango have a heeled leather version for £60 which does the job. Toteme have a T-strap nappa version for £410 if you’re looking for an investment piece. Perfect for: Anyone wanting to look like they’ve made an effort without actually making an effort. Perfect for finance professionals, founders & housewives with busy days starting at 7am and finishing at 9pm.
2. Rope Shoes – Gorpcore Has A Passport. This trend started with Miu Miu. If you know how trends work this tells you everything. Miuccia Prada is backing this practical, sporty slightly nautical sandal and saying it’s fashion. Everyone is on board from M&S to Selfridges. 6 months later we’re rocking them on a Saturday and wondering why they fit so well. This trend uses gorpcore (the outdoor/hiking aesthetic which has been slowly creeping into fashion since 2022 and shows no signs of slowing down) and mixes it with a more Mediterranean aesthetic. More terracotta walls, more roses before midday. More ‘I’ve been somewhere warm recently and I’m not ready to leave’. This creates a practical, textured and unexpected sandal. Which is where the best shoes live. Miu Miu have a Riviere Cord version for £690 which is totally worth it if you’ll love them for 3 years.
M&S have a rope gladiator for £46 if you’re just wanting to dip your toe in. ASOS have a navy version for £18 if you’re a commitment phobe. Perfect for: The founder wanting to signal that they don’t need to prove themselves with their branding. The millennial professional who has spent years wearing trainers and is ready to level up their comfortable confidence.
3. Flip Flops – They’re Back. Every summer someone says ‘Flip flops are dead’ and every summer they’re doing just fine. To be clear the 2026 version of the flip flop isn’t the emergency flip flop you wear by the pool. This version is leather or suede. Or if you’re feeling extra fashionable Ancient Greek Sandals have a jelly version for £130 in a clear green which shouldn’t be this covetable. When styling these you’ll need to make sure the rest of your outfit is doing a little more work. A good midi skirt and tucked top with a leather flip flop will look like you’ve put some thought in. However if your whole outfit is super relaxed it will look like you’ve ran out of time. Both are valid but only one is a trend. Reformation have a Jessie Thong for £148 in 11 colours. Havaianas have a slim version in black for £30. Dear Frances have a caramel suede version for £280 which people will ask you about. Perfect for: Anyone who cares about their feet during long hot days. The working parent who deserves to be comfortable but still look good when they’re picked up. The data analyst who spends the entire week under a desk and needs a little happiness on Friday with their shoes.
4. Beaded Shoes – Not Your 2005 Ibiza Phase. Don’t imagine these as a rainbow plastic beaded wedge from Accessorize from your gap year. In 2026 these are hand beaded. They’re earthy with terracotta, sand, warm gold & natural bone tones. This trend is part of the ‘show your craft’ movement which has been going this year. It’s about showing that what you’re wearing has been made by someone’s hands. The value is in the making, not the branding. This is the accessory version of choosing a handmade candle over a mass produced one. They come in a range of prices. Office Soleil have a Beaded Toe Post for £36 with glass beads which look way more expensive than they are. Le Monde have a beaded suede version for £575 at Selfridges if you want something that is actually expensive. Everything in between is fair game. Perfect for: Anyone who dresses for themselves first and everyone else second. Creative Directors, startup founders & housewives with impeccable taste who have long stopped pretending. These don’t ask permission and neither will you.
5. Toe Loop – High Street Accidentally Created A Category. This trend has a fun backstory. Zara released a toe ring sandal and it went viral. Not just mildly popular but completely sold out in 14 minutes, everyone on Instagram had them and I got them sent to me by 9 people. What’s interesting from a retail perspective is that it didn’t just create a selling point for a sandal but created a whole new desire for foot hardware. Now there are approx. 40 versions of these at all price points. They all do the same thing which is elevate a flat sandal. Giving your feet a polished, thoughtful look. These are perfect if you don’t want to wear anything above your ankles but still want your feet to look dressed. Zara have them currently for £40. Mango have a cross strap leather version for £46. AEYDE have a leather flat version for £270. M&S have a suede version for £36.
The White Company have a TKEES Colette gold toe post for £160 which one of my fashion editors has been wearing everyday since April and shows no signs of stopping. Perfect for: Every professional who has retired heels from anything over 400 steps but still want their feet to look thoughtful. This is a flat sandal but elevated. You can go from your 9am call to your 9pm dinner without changing your outfit. It’s not a small detail, it’s the holy grail. The One That Needs A Whole Section As Matthieu Blazy Entered Chanel And Did This. I could not write this without mentioning the cap toe trend. It’s not just a trend, it’s a statement on what luxury should be.
Here’s why Matthieu Blazy took over at Chanel. Instead of doing the obvious and blowing up the archives to start a new era he did something really interesting. He looked through the archives and found the cap toe shoe that Coco Chanel created in 1957. He asked himself ‘What does this mean now?’ The original cap toe was genius. The colour blocking on the toe creates a longer looking foot and slimmer looking legs. It’s a two tone shoe which instantly gives you a polished look. This has been a Chanel staple for nearly 70 years. Blazy’s version had a slightly smaller dipped toe. It wasn’t as sharp as the classic version but it looked like the tip had been dipped in a contrasting colour. It was super soft kid leather which moulded to your feet.
The second day they looked even better. Bergdorf’s fashion office noticed this straight away. Nordstrom’s fashion director said it was a must have. During Paris Fashion Week there were huge queues outside Chanel stores. Multiple reports said it was ‘The fashion version of the hunger games’. Anya Taylor-Joy and Jeremy Allen White wore them. Chanel sold out. Because trends work this way every brand from Alaïa to Mango, Marc Fisher & Loro Piana had a version in production within weeks. You don’t need to queue outside Chanel to get involved. What is it saying? It’s saying I know what I’m doing. It’s not saying it through branding, embellishment or being showy. It’s saying it through the two tone, quality leather and the fact that it was right in 1957 and it’s right now. It’s a subtle look of authority through your shoes. Perfect for professionals. You need your outfit to look competent but you don’t want to show it. The founder going into an investor meeting who wants to look like they know exactly what they’re doing without spending £650. The high street versions (there are some great ones!) do the same but at a completely different price point. Mango, M&S & even ASOS have versions. Right, The Practical Bit.
Jasmin x
Raw and Toasted | Sass, stats, strategic takeaways. Served from my desk, with love.
