The 9 Biggest Summer 2022 Shoe Trends, Period

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Summer is all but here and so are the trends that are about to break for the season ahead. Minidresses are carving themselves out as must-buy pieces, cool swimsuits are unfolding on the market, and editor’s shopping carts are stocked with all of the items that are set to be big. While there are so many summer fashion things to know this year, I want to focus on the summer shoe trends that are primed to be major in 2022.

Fashion insiders are already starting to wear some of the most important shoe styles for summer. Among them, silhouettes like wedges and edgy knee-high boots have already been embraced and are only set to gain more traction throughout the summer season. Ready to take a look at the full list of summer shoe trends to commit to memory? Ahead, see the 9 most important styles that will define summer fashion.

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(Image credit: @jessieandrews@clairerose)

It's going to be a wedge summer—at least that's my prediction. We've already started to see the shoe style popping up everywhere on the fashion set and I think that the throwback pieces feel fresher than ever. I want a pair in my closet.

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We can thank Balenciaga for putting edgy knee-high boots on the map with their Cagole style that infuse all of the early '2000s grommets and fringe from the iconic motorcycle bag. Now you know exactly what to pair with the micro skirts and minidresses you've been collecting.

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Retro sneakers have been a big trend for the last year, with an emphasis on basketball sneakers like the New Balance 550s that have been huge amongst the fashion set. Now, there's a new style to know: athletic sneakers. Mark my words because these are the cool style to own.

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(Image credit: @ariviere@josefinehj@lefevrediary)

Heels with open toes are everywhere right now. Whether they're designed with a sharply-pointed toe or an architectural heel, they are anything but your ordinary peep-toes.

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Clothing seems to get strappier and strappier and shoes are following suit. Whether heels or flats, footwear is designed with a plethora of straps for summer.

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This summer, fashion is all about fun and that couldn't be more apparent than the bold shades we're seeing for shoes in the upcoming season. Green, pink, yellow—take your pick because all of the vibrant shades are landing on the style set.

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When The Row drops a new shoe silhouette that every fashion person is flocking to, you know the trend is going to take off—and that is exactly what is bound to happen with the fisherman sandals the house is endorsing for summer.

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Last summer, chunky sandals were big and it turns out the fashion crowd hasn't had enough of them yet because they are just as in-demand heading into summer 2022. Platform flip-flops are especially noteworthy.

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(Image credit: @sophiaroe@fakerstrom)

Miu Miu's F/W 22 collection included talked-about ballet flats that are set to be huge months away, but fashion insiders are already testing out the trend. If you're an early adopter, this is a style to add to your closet right away.

Next up: Fashion People Told Me 23 Pieces They're Buying for Summer

Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.