4 Summer Shoes That Survived My Closet Clean-Out and 4 That Didn't

Staud shoes and bag

Pictured: Staud shoes ($295) and handbag ($350)

(Image credit: @gracejoshua13)

Every spring, like many people, I do a big closet clean-out and purge my wardrobe of pieces I no longer need. After the purge comes the fun part: shopping. Shopping after a closet clean-out is the best kind of shopping, especially for shoes. During my spring clean-out, I was taking a glance at my summer shoe collection, and if I’m being honest, it was looking a little sad. I started to sort through which shoes I was going to donate and which chic styles I was going to replace them with. I noticed four summer shoe styles that I was totally over and replaced them with four fresh styles for summer 2024.

Keep scrolling to see which summer shoes I donated and which ones I replaced them with.

Kept: Strappy Sandals, Donated: Platform Sandals

It wasn’t that long ago that every designer was making a pair of sky-high platforms that celebrities and the fashion set alike seemed to love, but summer 2024 is all about getting back to a sleeker and cleaner '90s strappy sandal. This style of shoe feels more elevated and modern than the super-high height and wider base of a platform heel. Sorry, platforms. It's time to exit stage left.

Kept: Thong Sandals, Donated: Slide Sandals

Sometimes it's the most basic sandal that ends up rising to the top. Classic thong sandals are the perfect minimalist summer shoes to pair with a sundress, linen pants, shorts—you name it. As for my slide sandals, I am bidding them adieu. Thong sandals won this round.

Kept: Mesh Ballet Flats, Donated: Transparent Heels

I have to admit I didn't expect myself to love mesh ballet flats as much as I do. There's a good chance these shoes are sitting in the closet of your favorite fashion person. As for my other see-through shoes, I think it's time I donate my transparent heels. They just don't do it for me anymore.

Kept: Heeled Mules, Donated: Espadrilles

I try not to pick favorites with my shoes, but I really love a good mule. They look good with everything from jeans to a midi dress to a miniskirt and more. I'm gravitating toward mules more than any of my other options. Though we are just starting summer, I have a feeling mules will be my most-worn style. Espadrilles, however, feel a little dated to me.

Assistant Editor

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Grace has always been a lover of all things fashion and beauty. Upon receiving her first degree in visual communications from FIDM in Los Angeles, she moved to New York City and continued her education at LIM College, majoring in fashion media with a minor in society and culture. Grace has worked for PhotoBook magazine, Insider, and Harper's Bazaar. As a writer, Grace has had pieces published covering topics including racial justice, fashion, politics, and current events. During her free time, she loves wine tasting, creating content for her social media, spending time with friends, traveling to new places, and Pilates, and has a love for reality television, especially The Real Housewives. Grace is the person in your friend group everyone goes to for recommendations for the best place to grab drinks in NYC on a Friday night or the best hotels and restaurants to try when traveling to a new city. While fashion is her main love, she loves all things wellness and lifestyle as well. Her ideal sunday is brunching with friends then walking around furniture shopping and listening to a podcast. As the assistant shopping editor atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , Grace loves finding the best buys out there for the WWW readers.