I'll Be Outside All Summer—Meet the 5 Shoes I Simply Can't Live Without
Sponsor Content Created With Zappos
Summer days are in full swing, and my shoe game needs to match my vibe. I live in L.A., and I thrive outdoors during these sun-soaked months—there's just so much to do! My one-stop shop for all things summer footwear is Zappos. The site has the perfect selection to keep me stylish and comfortable whether I'm hanging out in my backyard or spending a sunny afternoon at the beach. Sneakers! Sandals! Slides! There's something incredibly satisfying about slipping into the right pair of shoes, especially when they're as versatile and chic as the options I found recently. Want to see where I'm wearing all my new finds? Keep scrolling.
If you're ever looking for me, I'd suggest driving toward the beach. The ocean is my happy place whether it's the hottest day of the year or cool and gloomy. I have so many beach shoes, but this Steve Madden pair has officially stolen my heart. Not only are they the perfect slide sandals, but they're surprisingly easy to walk in on the sand (for those days when the sand is so hot it will burn your feet). I love all the neutral colors the shoe comes in—you can choose any of them for summer and never have a problem putting an outfit together.
My husband and I just moved into a new house that has an incredible backyard. It gets so much sunlight, and we have so many plans to plant herbs, set up furniture, and even put in a little cowboy pool. But for now, I spend just about every afternoon out there, reading a book and puttering around during my lunch break. I love how easy it is to slip into these Birkenstocks for my time out there. They're comfortable, breathable, and super stylish. Let's hear it for the gold buckles!
Speaking of our new home, our new neighborhood's walkability score is next-level good. The houses are cute to look at, there are so many golden retrievers to pet, and there are cafes, restaurants, and shops galore. It's so easy to hit 10,000 steps when there's this much to see and do on a walk. Since I walk so often, I need a good pair of comfortable sneakers. That's where these On Cloudtilt shoes come in. I won't lie—I was initially drawn in by the cute white and neon-green colorway, but once I learned about all the features, I was all in. The Cloudtilt is the first everyday shoe to feature CloudTec Phase Precision, which is engineered for walking. So yes, they were made for my neighborhood strolls. Lightweight, comfortable, easy to put on—what's not to love?
The best and often most slept-on thing about Los Angeles is that it has so many hiking trails. Whether you want beach scenery or a city skyline view, you can find it here. I've lived in L.A. for over 10 years, and I've been on so many of these trails, so I know how important it is to wear the right shoes when you're out. I was so excited to discover these Hoka shoes that were made for hiking. Usually, when I think of hiking shoes, I envision clunky and not particularly fashionable styles—but not these. With the Hoka Anacapa Aero Low Sneakers, I get not only a cute shoe but a lightweight shoe with flexibility and comfort (oh, so much comfort). I love how they add a pop of color to my all-black hiking 'fit.
Now that the weather is warm, if we're not sitting outside, I don't want to go. These mesh (the fabric of the season!) Sam Edelman ballet flats deserve to be worn with an overpriced latte or Aperol spritz in hand. I don't make the rules. For this particular occasion, I paired them with a balloon skirt and dressier tank, but I could very much see them with some jorts and a tee for a more casual look.
Anneliese Henderson is a Los Angeles–based senior editor on the branded content team at Who What Wear where she covers the latest in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. When she’s not writing about her favorite trends, you can find her reading a book by the beach or spending money on overpriced smoothies at Erewhon.