As our lives return to a degree of normalcy, daily morning commutes no longer mean a walk to and from the bedroom. We put on our summer work shoes and head to the office, even if it’s only two days a week. And while some of us may miss our Zoom on Pajama Pants meetings, some are excited to finally set foot in the office.
Here has Vogue, shoes play a big part in this carefree attitude in hot weather. You don’t want to be confined to a cabin, forced into stifling, dark, shaky pumps. (Call them foot anvils!) For those with less laissez-faire dress codes, however, it’s not always permissible to strut around an office wearing a pair of casual yet chic rubber Havaianas sandals.
How do you find the right balance? Look at Vogue from the staff, all of whom have very different opinions on comfortable and stylish summer work shoes. Sandal-shaped block heels seem to be by far the most popular. (They’re sturdy and walkable, according to several colleagues.) Other pieces to consider include mules, pointed toe and open, as well as moccasins and raised sneakers.
Below is a look at the best summer work shoes from those who study them closely.
Rickie De Sole, Executive Fashion Director
I’ve been walking to work lately, which means I need a shoe that is both suitable for the office and comfortable enough for the daily commute. I loved the Larroudé Lee apartment because it goes with everything and was my summer staple. I often bring heels with the intention of changing in the office, but end up wearing them all day!
Lilah Ramzi, Features and Commerce Editor
In the summer, I’m often dressed in vintage ’50s day dresses – think pinched waists and loose Betty Draper skirts. The shoes that seem to work with this silhouette unconditionally are espadrilles, and Castañer, the historic Barcelona-based shoemaker, makes them the best. They are more comfortable than Nike Flyknits! And I love how seasonal they are, like portable reminders that it’s summer.
Alexis Bennett, business writer
Usually I’m the high heeled type, but after barely a year of wearing shoes I feel like I need training wheels again. These cute kittens are perfect to go up to stiletto heels. The triangle heels make them easy to put on and they’re versatile enough to wear with just about any outfit.
Arden Fanning, Contributing Writer
Once on a press trip to Germany they said we were going to the ‘spa’ so I was wearing hotel slippers downstairs and everyone laughed at me when it turned out. that it was an off-site ride. No one would have laughed if I had shown myself in these, however. It’s transitional slides for laptop by day, tub by evening, relaxing ride anytime to work luxuriously from home.
Julie Tong, Senior Business Writer
When Proenza Schouler first started working with Birkenstocks on their Spring / Summer 2020 show, I knew I had to have them. And ever since, they’ve been my go-to shoe for all occasions: work, leisure and beyond. Despite being exceptionally comfortable, I still feel classy wearing them to the office in a midi dress or a matching top and skirt.
Willow Lindley, Director of Accessories
I’m all about flats and these two summer shoes are the most comfortable of all of my thin-soled favorites. I have alternated between the two and they are both so soft and a lot smoother than they seem at first glance.
Liana Satenstein, senior fashion editor
This black Labucq slider with a slight heel is symbolic of my attempt to relax in the office lit by fluorescent lamps and perpetually AC. The shoe is very cubic but, at the same time, still clings to the open toe freedom of the summer and the flat-soled life of the WFH. Plus, it’s super comfortable and goes with everything.
Madeline Fass, Market Editor
I am absolutely obsessed with anything and everything from Hereu Studio. Their cutout and slingback loafers are the ultimate summer footwear. In a way, they have mastered both a relaxed “I’m on vacation in the Mediterranean” look while being refined for the office. I already wear my pair almost every day during the summer – to dinner, to the beach, to run errands in the city – so it will definitely be an easy transition. However, there might just be a small streak of sand near my office.
Chloe Malle, Contributing Editor
After a winter in quarantine in sheepskin Birkenstocks, I like this version tailored to Ulla Johnson’s office to ease my transition to normal shoes.
Christian Allaire, fashion and style writer
I just bought some Bottega Veneta square toe loafers (on sale!) And these are my new must-have summer shoes. They’re super comfy – my take on a commuter shoe – and go with any outfit. I’ve never been a moccasin grown-up person, but I like the clunkier ’90s shape.
Lauren Sanchez, business manager
My tolerance for heel pain became non-existent after shamelessly spending the last year living in fluffy slippers. As a result, I crave the comfort of a plush Birdie slip-on. The Songbird pom pom lets you bring the slipper outdoors, to the office, and beyond.
Clarissa Schmidt, Commercial Producer
I love simple, neutral slip-on mules all year round, but in the summer they are the perfect shoe to complement my favorite dresses and skirts. they are super comfortable and chic enough to go from the office to dinner.
Ian Malone, Experiments Manager
In a classic moccasin, for man or woman, day or night, at the beach or in the meeting room, you will always put the best foot forward. Since I’m tough on mine (and have worn out too many Gucci and Ferragamo versions to justify replacing them), I go for a more affordable option. Handcrafted in Italy, Scarosso offers the best craftsmanship and style at a more reasonable price than other designer alternatives. Warm brown suede melts into pale summer colors and eye-catching prints.
Emily Farra, Senior Fashion News Editor
I have a thing for a flat gladiator sandal, but no one does it better than Emme Parsons. Besides being super comfy, sturdy, and shapely, hers are stylish enough for the office (I even wore them once to a cocktail party in Venice!). The cushioned footbed and anti-shock straps are a game-changer. I have an eye out for so many other styles of Emme for the summer; the folded slide is like a more amateur Birkenstock!
Eliseé Browchuk, Production & Marketing Manager, Vogue100
Nothing is easier than donning a pair of simple black slides. I bought the most comfortable (and affordable!) Pair of Peach, a Brooklyn-based boutique, before the pandemic, and I continue to fit them into my everyday wardrobe. The kitten heel provides the perfect lift and the unique design is definitely ready for office debuts.
