If Spring/Summer 2025 is sartorially all about lightness, then the classics have been reimagined with a little delicacy when it comes to footwear, too. This year’s penchant for bohemian, floaty silhouettes certainly lends itself to daintier soles – be it with Chloé’s pretty lace-up flats or the ‘sneakerina’, a sweet merging of ballet flats and retro trainers.
That aside, there are some sturdier styles worth knowing about this season, from fashion clogs to chunky Mary-Janes; though admittedly, subtlety is in right now. Ahead, the Spring/Summer 2025 leather shoe trends to know now, from sandals to sneakers.
L to R: Miu Miu, Gabriela Hearst, Hermès
Lace it up
It’s been a while since wrap-around Gladiator straps were the silhouette of choice, but the Roman style lends itself perfectly to this season’s flouncy beach dresses and gauzy cottons, no doubt. Leading the boho comeback is Chloé, which has launched a couple of lace-up styles under its ‘Ghillies’ umbrella – from flats to kitten heels. Elsewhere, Ferragamo showed lace-up ballet sandals, while Isabel Marant leant into its typically boho-chic aesthetic with knee-high strap-up gladiators.
The ballet sneaker
Trainer silhouettes have been slowly moving from chunky to slimline for some time now, but this season sees our everyday kicks cross paths with another shoe on the trend cycle – the ballet flat. Dubbed the ‘sneakerina’, the style has actually been building momentum for some years thanks to designers like Cecilie Bahnsen and Simone Rocha, but Spring/Summer ‘25 welcomes an influx of interpretations from Louis Vuitton to Miu Miu, Wales Bonner and Acne Studios – as well as sports label favourites like Adidas and Puma.
Fashion clogs
While clompy wedges have made a return (also thanks to Chloé), the more traditional wooden-soled sandal is another comeback style that’s everywhere this summer. Iris Law was pictured teaming her own pair of classic clogs with a floaty midi skirt earlier this year, while Sienna Miller has been sporting her pair since last spring. At Hermès, models walked the runway in the brand’s new Klay Clogs, we saw ankle-strap styles at Ulla Johnson and Rachel Comey showed closed-toe studded mules in supple Nappa leather, too.
Woven leather
First came woven handbags, next came woven footwear. A natural successor to last year’s mesh flats, this year’s versions are made using intertwined leather fabrications – leaning into an artisan, organic aesthetic. Seen at Gabriela Hearst, Bottega Veneta, Fendi and Jacquemus, the trend was seen across flats, sling-backs and heeled pumps – though we predict woven leather sandals will hit the high street soon.
Mary-Janes
Many designers reinvented the Mary-Jane for this season, moving on from the delicate ballet flat to a slightly sturdier look (emphasis on slightly, mind you). At Prada, there were block heels and chunky straps. Bally showed pointed styles with an almost-wedge, while Miu Miu’s are a two-tone style in patent leather. Maison Margiela’s Tabi Mary-Janes may well be a cult style later this year, too.
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