It's Officially a Slingback Summer—7 Styles That Will Elevate Your Outfits

Collage of Marina Torres, Sylvie Mus, and Kristen Nichols wearing summer outfits with black slingback shoes.

Let's be honest: There is nothing like finding a hero closet piece that never fails you no matter the outfit. This year, in particular, that piece has been slingback shoes, and as we enter into summer, the classic trend is still at the forefront of the fashion industry. It's for good reason too. Slingback shoes are chic and timeless and instantly elevate your outfit. Not to mention, they give any look an expensive-looking feel. There's no denying their transformative power.

This summer, I plan on taking advantage of the elevating effects of the trendy shoes in a variety of black styles that are available, from kitten heels to minimalistic sandals and comfy yet stylish flats. These all work seamlessly with dresses, shorts, jeans, and more. Keep scrolling to check out seven slingback styles that I have my eye on this season, plus outfit inspiration on how to style each.

1.

Paris-based fashion influencer Sylvie Mus poses in front of an SUV wearing a gold collar necklace, silk black button-down shirt, white Bermuda shorts, and black slingback heels.

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

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2.

Female fashion influencer Anouk Yve poses for a mirror selfie with a low curly ponytail wearing a neutral strong-shoulder blazer, straight-leg jeans, black shoulder bag, and black slingback flats.

(Image credit: @anoukyve)

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3.

Female fashion influencer Marina Torres poses in a NYC crosswalk wearing an oversize black blazer, animal-print minidress, small red handbag, and black slingback heels.

(Image credit: @marina_torres)

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4.

British fashion influencer Abisola Omole poses in a hotel room wearing a collared long sleeve top, neutral linen pants, and Gucci logo-print slingback kitten heels.

(Image credit: @abimarvel)

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5.

Fashion influencer Debora Rosa poses on a cobblestone sidewalk with a low bun wearing black sunglasses, a silk camisole top, black Bermuda shorts, black shoulder bag, and black minimalistic strappy slingback sandals.

(Image credit: @deoborabrosa)

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6.

Fashion editor Kristen Nichols poses on a street corner wearing black oval sunglasses, a black minidress, and Tory Burch black slingback flats.

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

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7.

Fashion influencer Felicia Akerstrom poses at a French hotel patio wearing an off-white t-shirt, white miniskirt, Saint Laurent two-tone bag, and black slingback heels.

(Image credit: @fakerstrom)

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Jennifer Camp Forbes
Contributing Editor

Jennifer Camp Forbes is currently the shopping updates editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities for over a decade, including creative director and various editor roles. She’s well-known as a shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups, digital moodboards, and extensive knowledge of up-and-coming brands, plus the new arrivals sections of the chicest retailers. Jennifer has had a lifelong interest in fashion which led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion. While she has called Los Angeles and New York City home in the past, she currently works remotely from Massachusetts. When she’s not obsessing over and writing about her latest fashion finds, she is delighting in raising two little ones with her highschool sweetheart, perusing TikTok religiously, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, creating abstract photographs, and eating the best Mexican food she can get her hands on.