5 Flat Shoe Trends I Refuse To Wear During a Manhattan Summer, and the 5 I Can’t Live Without

Living in NYC means constantly being on the go, from running errands to heading to events and meeting up with friends for brunch; you’re hardly standing still. It’s what I love most about the city. However, if you don’t have the right flats to walk around in, you’re in for a tough day. Aside from sneakers, flats are the quintessential cool shoe to walk in in the city, but lately I’ve been hitting a wall with certain styles. I’ve been wearing my go-to flats, but I’ve grown tired of them and refuse to wear them in the city this summer. Some reasons have to do with function, and others are purely vain, and I think that’s okay.

The city is full of inspiration. I love seeing cool girls step out in their most effortless and therefore best outfits. Their shoes are always what I look at, and they tend to be flats that are chic and comfortable enough to walk at least a couple of blocks. I’ve also noticed the styles they’re wearing lately are quite different from my fatigued go-to flats. Since seeing these girls, I’ve concluded that I’m swapping out some trends for the ones I’ve seen out and about. Keep scrolling if you’re looking for new go-to flats this summer to wear in NYC or anywhere else.

NO: Mesh Flats

YES: Jelly Flats

I think the time for mesh flats has come to a close. I was never one for them, if I’m being honest. Visually, it’s just not my cup of tea, although I see the appeal in its playfulness. What I do think are cute, playful, and stylish are jelly flats. They bring me back to my childhood, and I have to say, not much has changed. I feel that if we’re going to bare our toes while in closed-toe shoes, jelly flats are the chic approach. Brands like Melissa have been doing this for years, but the resurgence returning with the same brand feels full circle.

Melissa Possession Jelly Fisherman Sandals

Ancient Greek Sandals Iro Jelly Flats

COACH Jelly PVC Logo Sandals

COS Cut-Out Jelly Ballet Flats

Sam Edelman Michaela Jelly Flats

NO: Round-Toed

YES: Square-Toed

Squared-toe shoes, in general, exude luxury, sophistication, and effortlessness that I want to embody while walking around in the city. I want the she’s so cool-effect with an outfit, and I feel that square-toed shoes will accomplish that for me. It’s not an entirely new trend, but it adds a freshness to an outfit with such a small detail. I think that a square toe rather than a round one peaking out of a pant hem is simply more chic. Once I saw Emma Chamberlain walking around in a pair recently, I knew I had to try it.

Jeffrey Campbell Fathom Flats

Toteme Suede Ballet Flats

Mansur Gavriel Square Toe Ballerina Flats

COS Square-Toe Ballet Flats

Madewell The Ophelia Slingback Flats

NO: Studded Flats

YES: Silver Flats

While I love elements of maximalism, I think studs are kind of over for me. For shine and glamour, I’m leaning towards silver flats to make my summer, on-the-go outfits more interesting. The cool tone of silver offers an outfit the room to be casual and laid-back, as the shoes would be the star of the show. I love the thought of letting my shoes do the talking for my sense of personal style.

Shopbop Reformation Bethany Ballet Flats

Schutz Arissa Ballet Flats

LE MONDE BERYL Metallic Leather Mary Jane Flats

Sam Edelman Kasey Flats

Reformation Ulla Ballet Flats

NO: Logomania Flats

YES: Satin Flats

I don’t mind a logo here and there. However, I don’t think we need to lean on branding to make an outfit cool. What I’ve been finding cool lately are flats with texture rather than text, i.e., satin flats. Similar to silver flats, it adds an eye-catching element to an outfit that could be otherwise basic. Balenciaga’s former creative director debuted a collaboration with Puma for his last runway with satin sneakerinas and those shoes have been in my dreams at least 10 times now.

Everlane The Day Buckle Mary Jane

Balenciaga X Puma Speedcat Ballet Sneakers

Free People Aurora Flats

Chloé Polly Satin Mary Janes

H&M Ballet Flats

Toteme Satin Ballet Flats

NO: Stretchy Flats

YES: Mule Flats

I know, I know, it’s a bold statement, especially for the summer, but in all fairness… I’m just over flats with that tight elastic around the foot. I doubt they’re going anywhere, but you won’t see me wearing them much. Instead, I’ll be slipping mules flats on and off for the rest of the summer. They make an outfit feel dressy or casual, depending on what you’re wearing. Mule flats stormed the F/W 25 runways of Prada, Miu Miu, and Gucci, and have since jump-started a trend for summer that I want to partake in.

Miu Miu Logo Slipper Mules

MANGO Leather Slingback Shoes

Anine Bing Eve Flats

Max Mara Satin Mules

Everlane The Ballet Mules