8 Shoe Trends Straight From the Runway That Are Finally Here For the Summer

Getty Images/ Ulla Johnson Versace Coach

Given the wanderlust for the great outdoors, the shoe trends on the runway for spring/summer '21 followed suit — think stilettos that look like floral meadows. The sports sandal trend inspired by Teva and Birkenstock continued, and a new flatform silhouette reigned supreme.

As McMullen founder Sherri McMullen told us, "We are in a time where clothes are for support, for comfort, and to make a statement." Classic and comfortable ballet flats are back, and block heels give us extra oomph and height.

Check out the eight biggest shoes trends you'll be seeing everywhere this summer, or jump ahead to the style that will have you pulling a ballet high leg during your next Zoom! Then, shop the latest footwear on the market.

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01
Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Geared Up For the Outdoors
Valentino
Longchamp
Birkenstock

Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Geared Up For the Outdoors

The Reefs, Tevas, and Birkenstocks of your childhood get a high-end spin with the sports sandal trend back and stronger than ever. Comfort reigns supreme with these styles on runways from New York to Milan, but with these elevated colorways and materials, you'll be far from granola!

From left: Valentino, Longchamp, Coach

02
Valentino

Sandals from the Valentino Spring/Summer 2021 runway.

03
Longchamp

Sandals from the Longchamp Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

04
Coach

Sandals from the Coach Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

05
Anna Sui

Sandals from the Anna Sui Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

06
Jason Wu

Sandals from the Jason Wu Spring/Summer 2021 runway.

08
Stella McCartney

Sandals from the Stella McCartney Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

09
Gabriela Hearst

Sandals from the Gabriela Hearst Spring/Summer 2021 runway.

10
Casadei

Sandals from the Casadei Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

11
Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Natural Fantasies
Roger Vivier
Stella Jean
JW Anderson

Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Natural Fantasies

Lockdown had many of us rethinking our relationship with the outdoors and craving nature deeply, designers included. Shoes on the Spring/Summer 2021 runways became natural-fantasy launch pads with styles inspired by flora and fauna.

From left: Roger Vivier, Stella Jean, JW Anderson

12
Roger Vivier

Sandals from the Roger Vivier Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

13
Stella Jean

Sandals from the Stella Jean Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

15
Valentino

Slingbacks from the Valentino Spring/Summer 2021 runway.

16
Alexandre Vauthier

Sandals from the Alexandre Vauthier Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

17
Givenchy

Shoes from the Givenchy Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

18
Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Highlighted Notes
Stella McCartney
Fendi
Prada

Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Highlighted Notes

Calling your attention! Spring/Summer 2021 collections are often punctuated with bright pops of color complementing pared-down looks. Inspired by '80s neons, designers gave us nostalgia for the last big era of carefree excess in a more restrained way for next season.

From left: Stella McCartney, Fendi, Prada

19
Stella McCartney

Sandals from the Stella McCartney Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

20
Fendi

Shoes from the Fendi Spring/Summer 2021 runway.

22
Versace

Sandals from the Givenchy Spring/Summer 2021 runway.

23
Casadei

Heels from the Casadei Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

24
Valentino

Shoes from the Valentino Spring/Summer 2021 runway.

25
Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Ballet Flats
Marina Moscone
Khaite
Rag & Bone

Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Ballet Flats

Timeless, supremely chic, and channeling that French-girl cool, ballet flats are back and Spring/Summer 2021 iterations look so close to proper pointe shoes that we're dancing for joy! Remember that Zoom high leg we mentioned?

From left: Marina Moscone, Khaite, Rag & Bone

26
Dior

Shoes from the Dior Spring/Summer 2021 runway.

27
Rag & Bone

Shoes from the Rag & Bone Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

29
Marina Moscone

Shoes from the Marina Moscone Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

30
Simone Rocha

Shoes from the Simone Rocha Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

31
Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Flatforms
Erdem
Ulla Johnson
Tod's

Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Flatforms

From New York to Milan, flatforms showed up on runways building on the momentum of the style in seasons past with animal prints, wood, and the spring/summer favorite of raffia and cork. A heel height of the moment, expect to see flatforms everywhere next spring.

From left: Erdem, Ulla Johnson, Tod's

32
Erdem

Shoes from the Erdem Spring/Summer 2021 runway.

33
Ulla Johnson

Shoes from the Ulla Johnson Spring/Summer 2021 runway.

34
Tod's

Sandals from the Tod's Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

36
Gabriela Hearst

Sandals from the Gabriela Hearst Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

37
Versace

Sandals from the Versace Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

38
Casadei

Sandals from the Casadei Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

39
Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Studded and Embellished
Burberry
Miu Miu
Tory Burch

Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Studded and Embellished

After a rough few months, Spring/Summer 2021 runways are showing some edge with spikes, studs, and bedazzled embellishments. From New York to London, Paris to Milan, everyone is expressing a different take on the embellished trend: Valentino's signature pyramid gets oversize while Burberry is studding with crystals and Tory Burch is creating woven studs.

40
Burberry

Shoes from the Burberry Spring/Summer 2021 runway.

41
Miu Miu

Mules from the Miu Miu Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

43
Louis Vuitton

Shoes from the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

44
Tory Burch

Shoes from the Tory Burch Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

45
Valentino

Shoes from the Valentino Spring/Summer 2021 runway.

46
Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Woven Wonders
Michael Kors
Etro
Bally

Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Woven Wonders

Getting back to the basics, we're seeing a lot of woven and handcrafted macramé on runways for Spring/Summer 2021. Design houses are weaving materials like leather, cotton twill and rope in perfect Spring look fantasies for us to look forward to. Brands like Bally are getting back to heritage handicraft while Tory Burch is offering us a perfect summery take on her ballet flat.

From left: Michael Kors, Etro, Bally

47
Tory Burch

Shoes from the Tory Burch Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

48
Filippo Fior for Gorunway.com

Sandals from the Alberta Ferretti Spring/Summer 2021 runway.

50
Etro

Shoes from the Etro Spring/Summer 2021 runway.

51
Casadei

Shoes from the Casadei Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

52
Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Denim Dreaming
IRO
AGL
Isabel Marant

Spring/Summer 2021 Shoe Trend: Denim Dreaming

We've been wearing jeans less in favor of sweatpants while working from home, so for Spring/Summer 2021, designers have us making up for lost times with denim shoes. Intricately detailed, some even having label tabs and rivets, this fun new style will have us craving a head-to-toe Canadian tuxedo look or maybe the simpler times of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake's 2001 American Music Awards matching denim outfits.

From left: IRO, AGL, Isabel Marant

53
IRO

Boots from the IRO Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

54
AGL

Boots from the AGL Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

55
Isabel Marant

Boots from the Isabel Marant Spring/Summer 2021 runway.