THESE SUMMER HEELS WILL GET YOU OUT OF YOUR FLAT FUNK

A colourful heel instantly elevates your summer wardrobe.

Heels have come a long way and now we’re spoilt for choice – with kitten heels, wedges and heeled sandals bringing a swathe of comfy steppers that make the perfect summer shoe. If you’re sweating in trainers or fed up of flats, a delicate heel will transform your sunny looks in seconds. Looking for inspiration? This list features my favourite summer heels for all kinds of outfits.

If you’re new to heels, a wedge is the place to start. You’ll get the same elevation from a stiletto without nearly as much discomfort, and they’re easy to walk in, too – so any heel-related anxieties are avoided. This jelly wedge brings 90s fun to your footwear roster, while the versatile chocolate brown tone is easy to style with your basics. I’m wearing these with a simple white tee and bermuda shorts during the next heatwave.

GET THE LOOK: 
01: Dragon Diffusion Egola woven leather shoulder basket bag in dark brown, £365
02: JDY tailored bermuda shorts in light khaki, £35
03: ASOS DESIGN Highlight jelly toe thong wedges in chocolate, £24
04: Topshop shrunken everyday tee in white, £10

Heeled sandals have become so central to my summer lineup that I’d be lost without them. Consider this the elegant older sister of your ballets or Birkenstocks, bringing a little sophistication to seasonal flats. Square toe silhouettes have been trending for years now, and these Topshop sandals exaggerate the style with a bold leather strap and sharp heel. Pair with breezy culotte trousers and a satin scarf top for a warm date-night look.

GET THE LOOK: 

01: Bershka Elasticated waist culotte bermuda shorts in black, £25.99
02: Desigual Small bag lips in red, £75
03: Kaiia exclusive satin scarf in cream and black stripe, £15
04: Topshop Elodie toe thong mid heeled mule in black, £38

For your next dressy occasion, be it a birthday dinner or a wedding, strappy heels bring a feminine finish to any outfit. Kitten heels are the safest option for long days on your feet, providing the same delicate look without the risk of a rolled ankle. This pair from NA-KD are the shoe equivalent of an LBD. You can pair them with anything, from jeans and a shirt to a formal gown.

GET THE LOOK: 
01: Pull&Bear Low-rise jorts in dark blue, £29.99
02: ASOS DESIGN beaded clutch bag in red, £24
03: NA-KD Strappy mules in black, £50.95
04: Bershka Oversize sateen long sleeve shirt in white, £25.99

These are fashion’s new hyper-fixation shoe. Designed for post-beach evenings, the heeled flip flop is the ultimate combination of casual and sophisticated. Thanks to the classic thong silhouette, you’ll have all the ease of your favourite flats with a little something extra. I’ve been pairing mine with capri pants and a cinched top in honour of my fantasy French Riviera lifestyle. But they’ll work with oversized jeans and a strappy top for post-work catch-ups, too.

GET THE LOOK: 

01: Kaiia oversized wide brim hat in beige, £12
02: Topshop Axel toe thong mid heel sandal in cobalt blue, £32
03: ARRANGE knit short sleeve cinched pleated top in oyster, £75
04: ASOS DESIGN bengaline side split capri pant in black, £24
05: Le Specs Veledrome cateye sunglasses in brown, £60

Last on my list is a sartorial hot potato – a shoe so controversial it keeps the fashion crowd on their toes (if you’ll pardon the pun). Mules turned heads and raised eyebrows when they first exploded a few years back. Now, they’re more pervasive than ever – and available in a wild range of prints like this zebra pair from Topshop. Once again utilising the timeless square toe, this textured shoe is reserved for when I want to make a statement. Ideal for stirring up excitement, I’ll be wearing it with a classic black tailored suit and clutch when I’m stumped for mid-week office inspo.

GET THE LOOK: 

01: AllSaints Charley co-ord tailored linen blend blazer in black, £279
02: Topshop Nicole angular mid heel mule in zebra print hair on real leather, £55
03: Glamorous woven clutch bag in black, £26