From Linen Sets to Floaty Dresses, Here's What to Wear With Sandals This Summer

For as long as the current weather continues (it’s a blissful 21 degrees in London as I type) there’s really only one footwear option that makes practical sartorial sense. You guessed it: sandals. We've waited long enough to let our toes breathe, thank you very much—it's time to step out in the strappiest sandals we can get our hands (or feet) on.

So, now that the shoes are sorted, you may be wondering what to wear with your chosen sandals. As tempting as it is to dress up in bold prints and bright hues as soon as the sun appears, personally I favour a simpler approach to summer style (especially in the heat). You'll likely find me wearing my slides, mules and espadrilles with a rotation of classic combinations—be it a tank top and jeans, a dress, or a linen co-ord.

From floral midi dresses to lightweight trousers, there are few warm-weather staples that won't work with sandals. But if we were to assemble our favourites into seven streamlined outfits, they might look something like this...

1. Striped Shirt + Midi Skirt + Slides

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(Image credit: @anoukyve)

Style Notes: A relaxed-fit shirt is my most trusted summer layer. Thrown on with a midi skirt and slide-on sandals, the results are effortless but oh-so polished.

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2. Asymmetric Tee + Jeans + Fisherman Sandals

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(Image credit: @lenafarl)

Style Notes: An easy way to elevate a jeans-and-tee combo? Opt for a T-shirt with an interesting twist, such as an asymmetric neckline or embroidered detailing.

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3. White Blouse + Slip Skirt + Strappy Sandals

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(Image credit: @frannfyne)

Style Notes: Slip skirts are forever, but during the summer months they're best paired with a breezy cotton blouse. Complete the look with wrap-around sandals, and you'll be ready to jet off to some far-flung beach resort.

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4. Midi Dress + Birkenstocks

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(Image credit: @styleidealist)

Style Notes: When you just can't be bothered putting together an outfit (it's a familiar feeling to us all), reach for your nearest midi dress. According to fashion people, Birkenstocks are the best match for a pretty floral frock.

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5. Linen Co-Ord + Flip-Flops

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(Image credit: @monikh)

Style Notes: There are so many dreamy linen co-ords out there right now that the choice is overwhelming. But something like this green skirt set ticks so many trend boxes.

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6. Tank Top + White Trousers + Minimal Sandals

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(Image credit: @smythsisters)

Style Notes: This might be the easiest look on the list to recreate. All you need is a plain tank top, white trousers of some kind and your most minimal sandals. Simple.

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7. Shirt + Tailored Shorts + Toe-Loop Sandals

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(Image credit: @aidabadji_)

Style Notes: This shirt-and-shorts pairing is the key to looking chic even in the height of a heatwave. Toe-ring sandals are definitely having a moment right now.

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7. Striped Trousers + Tank Top + Flip Flops

Elegant Summer Style: @sasha.mei wears blue cotton striped trousers with a black top

(Image credit: @sasha.mei)

Style Notes: It's no secret that the WWW team love a great pair of striped linen trousers in summer, and what better to pair them with than a simple black tank top and flip flops? This is, without a doubt, the perfect look for a hot summer's day in the city or for travelling.

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This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

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Freelance Fashion Editor

Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer and editor. She started her first blog at age 14 and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed Confused and Indie magazine.

A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and fresh takes on classic design.

In her spare time, Bébhinn enjoys perusing Edinburgh’s best vintage shops, working through her out-of-control book collection and watching dog reels on Instagram.