Last Updated on April 30, 2026 by Eve Dawes
If you’re looking for the biggest women’s shoe trend for summer 2026, there are a few strong contenders. Sneakerinas, embellished sandals and mules have all had their moment on the runways and in street style edits, but there’s one style that keeps coming out on top of every fashion editor’s list: women’s wedge thong sandals. The appeal makes complete sense. The wedge sole gives you height without the instability of a stiletto, the thong strap keeps the silhouette minimal and 90s-cool, and the overall effect works equally well with a linen dress, wide leg trousers or your best denim. Every major runway from Chanel to Miu Miu to Calvin Klein featured the silhouette for Spring and Summer 2026, and they’ve gone from trend forecast to sell-out reality faster than almost any other shoe story this season.
I’ve rounded up the best wedge thong sandals across every price point, from designer investment pieces to high street finds that look far more expensive than they are.
I cover footwear trends as a fashion editor and own multiple pairs of designer sandals including Gucci and Dior slides which I review on this site. Every style in this guide has been selected based on construction quality, heel height wearability and overall styling versatility rather than brand name alone. This article contains affiliate links which do not affect my opinion or the price.
Why Wedge Thong Sandals Are Summer 2026’s Biggest Shoe Trend
There’s a huge 90’s revival going on in fashion right now from clothes to shoes and accessories and this includes thong sandals, wedges, and the combination of both. And if you’re not a fan of wedges, kitten heel thong sandals are just as on trend for 2026. This nostalgic shoe trend has been seen on everyone from Hailey Bieber to Alex Consani and Zoë Kravitz, as well as on the Spring/Summer Chanel and Miu Miu runways. It’s a fun and comfortable way to wear a shoe with height this Summer that’s much more practical on vacation than skinny heels.
Best Designer Wedge Thong Sandals 2026
There are so many designer iterations of this summer shoe trend, it’s easy to find a pair you love. Whether that’s a classic black or white leather pair by Prada, Bottega Veneta or Stuart Weitzman, sculptural wedge by Paris Texas, or glam metallic pair of women’s wedge thong sandals by Alaïa.
Best Wedge Thong Sandals Under $200
For mid-range selections Steve Madden, Sam Edelman, Schutz, Dolce Vita, Jeffrey Campbell and Tony Bianco all have fashion forward styles to nail this warm-weather shoe trend for under $200.
Best Wedge Thong Sandals Under $100
If you don’t want to splurge, I looked everywhere and ASOS had the best high street versions for under $100 that I’ve rounded up below.
Shop the best women’s wedge thong sandals for summer 2026
From designer to styles under $100, here’s the summer shoes trending for 2026. The hottest color trend seems to be black wedge thong sandals, but honestly, anything goes. This summer shoe trend is more about the silhouette than the color.
How to Style Wedge Thong Sandals in 2026
They’re one of those summer sandals that are so easy to style. Try them with a slip skirt and tank or satin slip dress for 90s’ vibes, jeans or denim shorts and a simple tank or tee for everyday casual, a linen co-ord for hot days, or with wide leg trousers and a blazer for cooler days.
I’ll be styling my summer sandals picks in Bali next month and sharing every look on Instagram. Follow @glamourandgains for real-time outfit inspiration and to see how these wear in actual hot weather rather than a studio.
What to Look for When Buying Wedge Thong Sandals
When choosing the right wedge thong sandals for you consider:
- The height: what are you going to be wearing them for and with (3-4cm tends to be the most wearable).
- Upper material: suede is pretty but not great for the beach and pool.
- Sole material: how much grip do you need.
- Strap width and fit around the thong toe post. I have wide feet that won’t stay in narrow thongs, so I always look for a thicker strap to keep my feet in the shoes!
Best Wedge Thong Sandals 2026: Your Questions Answered
Yes, wedge thong sandals are one of the biggest shoe trends of summer 2026. The silhouette appeared on the Spring/Summer 2026 runways at Chanel, Miu Miu, Calvin Klein and Celine among others, and retail sell-through data confirms they are one of the top performing sandal categories of the season. The 2026 version is sleeker and more minimal than previous iterations, with a lower, narrower wedge heel and a clean Y-shaped thong strap rather than the chunkier versions of the early 2000s.
A thong sandal and a flip-flop share the same Y-shaped strap construction but differ in sole and finish. Flip-flops typically have a flat foam or rubber sole and are designed for casual or beach wear. Thong sandals have a more structured sole and are often made from leather, suede or other quality materials, making them suitable for both casual and dressier occasions. A wedge thong sandal adds a raised sole that provides height and a more elevated finish than either a flat flip-flop or flat thong sandal.
This depends on the wedge height and the material but in general wedge sandals are generally more comfortable for all-day wear than stiletto heels because the wedge sole distributes your body weight more evenly across the entire foot rather than concentrating pressure on the ball and heel. A low to mid wedge height of 3-5cm is the most comfortable option for extended wear. Look for styles with a padded footbed and a non-slip sole for maximum comfort.
Wedge thong sandals work with almost everything in a summer wardrobe. The most flattering pairings are midi dresses and skirts which allow the wedge silhouette to be visible, wide-leg trousers which create an elongating effect, linen shorts for a casual summer look, and swimwear cover-ups for resort and beach settings.
The best designer wedge thong sandals worth investing in for 2026 are The Row for minimal luxury, Stuart Weitzman for comfort engineering at a luxury price point, Ancient Greek Sandals for genuine craftsmanship and Prada for the fashion-forward styling angle. All four hold their value stylistically across multiple seasons rather than being purely trend-driven purchases.
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