It’s shaping up to be a freaky sandal summer. You know exactly what we mean – and if you don’t, you’ve definitely seen the trend in the wild without knowing what to call it. Classic sandal silhouettes are getting a weird-but-cool makeover, reimagined with quirky details like jelly constructions, cloven toes, and sculptural heels. Right now, toe loop sandals are the trendiest take on the movement so far.
In the fashion world, though, this isn’t exactly new. Prada put the style on the runway during its Spring/Summer 2026 show at Milan Men’s Fashion Week, reimagining the classic thong sandal with a separate section for the big toe. For this season, designers like Sa Sa Phi and Yohji Yamamoto displayed their own takes in Milan and Paris, months before the trend really started to take off. Since then, we’ve been seeing them everywhere, in all kinds of materials and iterations.
Street style stars have been quick to jump on the trend, too. We’ve spotted more pared-back versions with simple strappy details, but also some really out-there takes that lean into the funky look. What we love most about the look is that they’ve become a statement. They’re not just another sandal you throw on; they’re the focus of the outfit.
Love it or hate it, we’ve been fully swayed. What can we say? We’re a sucker for something a little different! If you are too, you'll be pleased to hear we've scoured the high street for the best toe loop sandals currently available to shop right now.
From M&S' chic white leather design that offers a more elegant take on the trend, to embellished toe loop styles featuring chunky metal hardware from the likes of Free People and Linzi, there really is something for everyone. Find our full edit below.
M&S Leather Ankle Strap Flat Toe Loop Sandals
Vicenza Carmel By The Sea Sandals
Primark Paula Echevarría Toe Post Sandals
Topshop Elsie hardware footbed sandal in black
Parfois Leather Flat Sandals with Crossed Strap
Megan Uy is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she's also written for Delish, House Beautiful, and People. Follow her on Instagram to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is TikTok.
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
