There's something about the warmer months that makes me step up my shoe game. During autumn and winter, it's always been leather boots to combat the changeable weather until I swap out to trusty ballet flats as soon as we hit spring. But in the summer, I'll get fully swept up by new shoe trends galore.
Lately, my eyes have been drawn to square-toe sandals. Summer after summer, the square-toe continues to take over the fashionable feet of the street style set – and this year, I'm ready to join them.
Previously a staple seen on ‘90s celebrity red carpets, the angular silhouette has become a celebrated footwear favourite once again. From wedge mules to flat sliders and strappy kitten heels, we've seen a resurgence of the square-toe across all types of summer sandals. Whilst rounded silhouettes possess a laidback, beach-ready vibe, it's the exaggerated, sharp corners of a square toe that create a sleeker look, instantly elevating an outfit and making it feel that bit more polished – even the most casual pair of jeans.
Our everyday flip-flops have also been given the square-toe treatment, with Havianas launching their slim, squared-off style back in 2024, sending easy-breezy sandal fans wild. Spanish It-girl brand Alohas are another champion of the square-toe sandal, with their collection brimming with fashion-forward designs in both muted tones and summery bright palettes that will easily answer any officewear conundrums during city summer heatwaves. That's the beauty of the square-toe sandal: they're smart enough to wear to work or a fancy summer do, and they're guaranteed to make it into every holiday packing edit you've got planned.
For a real do-it-all square-toe sandal that'll be sure to fit into your daily seasonal shoe rotation (not to mention, slip perfectly into your carry-on suitcase), Next's square-toe thong flats are our hot-weather saviour.
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The endlessly versatile chocolate brown hue teams nicely with any outfit colour palette, as well as your summer tan. They're part of Next's Forever Comfort range, so the flat sole will be kind to your feet. Plus, the thick thong-toe upper is chic to boot and reminiscent of Reformation's gorge Sheryln Wedge style, but for only £32.
Pedis at the ready, here's our round-up of the best square-toe sandals to shop now and strut happy all summer long:
Next Chocolate brown Forever Comfort toe thing sandals
Reformation Larsen thong sandal
Nobody's Child Leather square toe strappy sandals
Alohas Orielle rift burgundy leather sandals
Topshop Rolo hardware detail flat sandal in olive
Topshop Nadeem mid heel toe thong sandal with hardware
Sophie Leen is the Bookings Editor for Cosmopolitan UK and Women's Health UK. She specialises in creating fashion and shopping content across both digital and print platforms, as well as producing all of our fashion editorial photoshoots, which have included our digital cover with Olly Alexander and our curve influencer’s letter to the high street story. Sophie also looks after our Try Before You Train franchise where our team have tested and reviewed over 100 gymwear items.
