Summer is just around the corner, and there is one shoe on our radar—the PVC shoe. From the salty beach, to the gritty sand, and the cold, chlorine-filled pool, you'll need a shoe that can withstand all the elements the season has to offer.
While you should definitely look to our summer shoe trends for shoe inspiration as the weather starts to heat up, the PVC shoe is one to really pay attention to. The style can take all shapes and forms: a high heel, a candy-like color, a sweet kitten style. It's the perfect shoe for in and out of the water and all the sun-kissed summer activities in between.
Think jelly sandals and childhood nostalgia. Designers like Tory Burch, Loewe and Melissa are leaning into the material's inherent playfulness—translucent uppers, glittery finishes, bold monochromes—proving that practical and pretty are not mutually exclusive.
The beauty of PVC is its versatility. Opt for a pair of flip flops to wear poolside in saturated crimson or electric blue. Or, elevate your beach-to-streets look with a clear kitten heel that lets your pedicure shine. The material's waterproof nature means sand and splash are all welcome.
So whether you're planning a European beach escape, a rooftop pool party, or simply want a shoe that survives the chaos of summer in the city, the PVC shoe is your answer, and it’s sure to be the star of summer.
(Lead Image) Clockwise from top left: Sandals Melissa/Diesel, Jimmy Choo,(blue and pink) Ancient Greek Sandals, and Tory Burch.
Styled by Jessica Neises. Associate Visuals Editor Aily Zeltser.
Jessica (aka Jess) is a Senior Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan, working across both fashion market and styling for print stories, as well as digital fashion and commerce coverage. Prior to joining Cosmo, she worked in fashion at Vanity Fair. Jess lives in New York City and loves spotlighting emerging designers you might not have heard of yet—while also being an unabashedly devoted Love Island fan (dating back to Season 1 of Love Island UK, that’s how serious). See more of her work here, and follow her on Instagram if you love her.
